Went back to my favorate Virginia creek

[RTR]

Darn it. Still, about 5-1/2 grams. Not bad!

Next time I'll use these they wont slip like rope does.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/SmartStra...EaApUuEALw_wcB
Found out the hard way you don't wanna 'drag' the boulder.You wanna 'roll it' by drilling it on the opposite side that your on.

[RTR]

Under another Bolder... Deeper = Bigger

[Huzzah!]

In Virginia, if you access a creek (from a public road) and stay BELOW the high water mark your legal.

RTR you sure about that? VA Game Warden told me as long as there is no contact with the bank or bed of the stream then there isn't an issue, but upon contact I would be trespassing. Pretty sure we can't just go dig up some random creek just because we can get into it from a public road. If you have a better source to combat my comment please do so; being able to do as you suggest would be a game-changer

[Mgumby16]

I have been told by the DMME that is it is a solid blue line on a topo map that VA owns the bottom of it. However most landowners do not know that with small creeks. On rivers the adjancent land owners generally understand that they dont own the bottom of the river, but with small steams and creeks that is not the case. And its not a point i want to argue with a land owner when they have a gun in my face. If i want to prospect a small stream or creek in VA i get landowner permission to access it. Getting permission for small streams and creeks gives prospectors a good name in the community.

Even if the law says the state owns the bed if you access the creek and get caught by the adjacent landowner it goes towards giving prospectors a bad name, and possibly still have the law called on you, regardless of what the law actually says. Stick to public access of rivers and youll be fine, if you want access a small creek get landowner permission or join the Central Virginia Gold Prospectors club.

[RTR]

These laws change w/ the wind....Well then, can someone pull-up the 'Exact wording of the law", As of today ?

[stewielouie]

In Virginia, if you access a creek (from a public road) and stay BELOW the high water mark your legal.
Heres a map of Virginias gold belt https://www.dmme.virginia.gov/dgmr/pdf/gold.pdf

Thanks for that map, I have some land in that belt!!

[RTR]

Start reading on pg 414 of this PDF>> http://www.emlf.org/clientuploads/di...Mcelwee_11.pdf

[RTR]

See 2nd. paragraph under Gold Summery.>> https://www.goldandgemgazette.com/virginia/
"Virginia deems anything Above high water mark to be private property"
Also read "Rules & Laws further down this page >> https://www.goldandgemgazette.com/virginia/

[Huzzah!]

Yeah I've read that before, but after I spoke with Mr. GW I reconsidered. But as they say, "the law is the law." I'll just ask permission.

[RTR]

Yeah I've read that before, but after I spoke with Mr. GW I reconsidered. But as they say, "the law is the law." I'll just ask permission.

Never hurts to get permission,even tho the law is clear as stated