Scavenging, foraging, looting.

[Grumpy Grandpa]

Foraging, as in for wild food, is one thing but I think it will always be difficult to differentiate between scavenging and looting. Take the example of people starving after Katrina and taking food from shops to feed themselves and their families - technically looting but...

As to ownership of things after an event when as you describe, there are not many people around, the true owners may be long gone but it's not hard to imagine a local thug setting himself up as a small warlord and by force, laying claim to everything within miles.

As BP said, when you're sure it's safe, when you are certain you're not seen, go for it - I would.