I saw infrequent scans from locationd, every few minutes. Until I opened the Maps app, that is. Then it started triggering frequent scans.

Sure, Maps may want to know your location, but it should not have the ability to constantly poll wifi.

Also, different chipsets may display different behavior. Older wifi chipsets may have more trouble with this.

I did not realize this / check this. I had made the assumption of latest macOS and-what-have-you.

I however, cannot setup that environment right now.