Equipment VS. Practical Prospecting Knowledge

[MadMarshall]

It's quite common to read posts about what pan,sluices ect. ect. people should use. And I know from experiance and from other prospectors that all to often things are purchased and rarely put to use or they are purchased without having any first hand experiance using these items or there practical use in the field. And with the laws the way they are here in California whats allowed is getting less and less. It seems to me that anyone who is thinking of prospecting should take the time with the most simple of tools and spend the time getting familiar with areas walking the river/creek to see if you even had a sluice is there a place to run it? Take the time to find out whats permitted in your area. I spent my first few years prospecting recreationally with just a pan and screwdriver, hammer, and spoon. A prospector should know where the average/flood and extreme water levels are. What kind of gold is in your area, is it flood gold or do you notice traveling gold with the rains? What kind of history does your location have? I think a prospector tools are defined by the location and knowledge of the location. As I'm sure most of you see the problems Todd is having on gold rush, maybe he should practiced prospecting before becoming a miner!!

 

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[mellowyellow]

Well said! I sure have bought things I used only once. Ughhh. Wish I would if been more patient. I have this "NOW" syndrome. An it's costly...

 

[63bkpkr]

Yes that happens. Of course when I purchased my first gold pan the batpan did not even exist so the first goldpan purchased and now not used does not count. But the other two sure do. Then one afternoon I'd gotten myself up this small side canyon and walked right into a historical mining area. The stream bed was built by God to be a natural sluice box with all sorts of bedrock showing. On the top of some of the high bedrock was a small pile of dirt, I swept it into my pan and began processing "the cons". Out popped likely my first nugget. I looked at the nugget, I looked at the pool in the creek just below where the pile of dirt was and wondered what was at the bottom of the pool. I went out and purchased a back packable 2" suction dredge and brought it in along with the can of gas/oil, wet suit, dredge supplies, floats and the whole catastrophe! After three days I had a bunch of gravel but no gold. Such a shame. then last year I modified my A52 as a highbanker and planned to use the motor/pump from the dredge to power this latest marvel and then I found work and now I need shoulder surgery. So everything is on hold for another year or two. But heck, I'm all setup and ready to go just as soon as the body is back in shape and no I do not have a spare body in the closet. Cheers All...........63bkpkr

 

[calnatv]

Yes that happens. Of course when I purchased my first gold pan the batpan did not even exist so the first goldpan purchased and now not used does not count. But the other two sure do. Then one afternoon I'd gotten myself up this small side canyon and walked right into a historical mining area. The stream bed was built by God to be a natural sluice box with all sorts of bedrock showing. On the top of some of the high bedrock was a small pile of dirt, I swept it into my pan and began processing "the cons". Out popped likely my first nugget. I looked at the nugget, I looked at the pool in the creek just below where the pile of dirt was and wondered what was at the bottom of the pool. I went out and purchased a back packable 2" suction dredge and brought it in along with the can of gas/oil, wet suit, dredge supplies, floats and the whole catastrophe! After three days I had a bunch of gravel but no gold. Such a shame. then last year I modified my A52 as a highbanker and planned to use the motor/pump from the dredge to power this latest marvel and then I found work and now I need shoulder surgery. So everything is on hold for another year or two. But heck, I'm all setup and ready to go just as soon as the body is back in shape and no I do not have a spare body in the closet. Cheers All...........63bkpkr

That's how it's done ! Nothing ventured,nothing gained. I had my shoulder surgery in June. ( Blame it on years of rock chucking). Even if dredging was allowed I wouldn't have been doing it this summer. Just now getting my arm strength back

 

[NuggetN8]

It's quite common to read posts about what pan,sluices ect. ect. people should use. And I know from experiance and from other prospectors that all to often things are purchased and rarely put to use or they are purchased without having any first hand experiance using these items or there practical use in the field. And with the laws the way they are here in California whats allowed is getting less and less. It seems to me that anyone who is thinking of prospecting should take the time with the most simple of tools and spend the time getting familiar with areas walking the river/creek to see if you even had a sluice is there a place to run it? Take the time to find out whats permitted in your area. I spent my first few years prospecting recreationally with just a pan and screwdriver, hammer, and spoon. A prospector should know where the average/flood and extreme water levels are. What kind of gold is in your area, is it flood gold or do you notice traveling gold with the rains? What kind of history does your location have? I think a prospector tools are defined by the location and knowledge of the location. As I'm sure most of you see the problems Todd is having on gold rush, maybe he should practiced prospecting before becoming a miner!!

That's very true! Knowledge is one of the best tools you can have! You can't just go out with the best equipment and get gold if you don't know where and how to find it.

 

[NeoTokyo]

Thats so true, its easy to pick something up thinking that it is going to be the next best thing (In any hobby) and end up never using it.

I have not done that yet with prospecting equipment but I have done it elsewhere with other hobbies.

 

[Hoser John]

Throwing cash at any hobby without prior knowledge is just yet another act of lunacy. Example-1 of a million seen. Thieves on the klamath in Happy Camp sold(conned) a complete newbie into a $28,000 dollar package complete with every piece of garbage ever made. He gave up in 3 weeks-found less than 1 dwt in gold and was traded a lousy 1+ oz nugget and a dwt in fines for a $10,000 PRECISION 6" DREDGE(less than 8 hours run time) complete with water heater,gast air,wetsuits,etc stc stc as gold was at $468 at that time equipment is only as good as the operator-John

 

[Rdg Sluicer]

I am really enjoying some of your posts lately Marshall. You seem like a guy with a lot of knowledge.

 

[NeoTokyo]

Throwing cash at any hobby without prior knowledge is just yet another act of lunacy. Example-1 of a million seen. Thieves on the klamath in Happy Camp sold(conned) a complete newbie into a $28,000 dollar package complete with every piece of garbage ever made. He gave up in 3 weeks-found less than 1 dwt in gold and was traded a lousy 1+ oz nugget and a dwt in fines for a $10,000 PRECISION 6" DREDGE(less than 8 hours run time) complete with water heater,gast air,wetsuits,etc stc stc as gold was at $468 at that time equipment is only as good as the operator-John

That is way extreme! x_x

I was thinking like a hundred dollars on something that didnt get used enough. x_x

 

[MadMarshall]

With all the Hype about gold these days and all the shows out it is easy now more than ever for people to be fooled! Since there are no laws to my knowledge to govern tv/news programs from telling lies/stories to influence the people instead of stating facts! Its easy to watch these programs and say any idiot can do that. And all to often people are lured by these very false examples of miners/actors? Please remember everyone who is thinking of prospecting or striking it rich.. Prospecting is hard, dangerous work. We do not have the cable companies to pay are bills or rescue teams on standby or even a nurse's for that matter. The majority of us do not have satilite phones, and investors. AND THE MAJORITY OF US FAIL AS FULLTIME PROSPECTORS!! Prospecting takes time and research. And common sense doesn't hurt either. I can only imagine the people who will lose everything due to these shows. It is sad that we allow and participate in wathching these shows so some can get a good laugh at the expense of others. It's come to my attention that Parker of GoldRush is now doning tours. How disapointed I was when I heard this, I thought at first, it was for him it was all about the gold but I was wrong It's just all about the dollar. I hold no offense for a person who wants to make money, I just assumed that Parker was more like his grandpa and it was the lifestyle that mattered.

 

[TerryC]

Yes. Been there, done that. Money, equipment, knowledge, doesn't mean squat till you add SWEAT to the equation. TTC

 

[Oakview2]

Actually it was Parkers grandpa that had the dream of sharing the gold experience with non miners. Good for the kid to respect his grandpa's wishes...Then went into great detail showing this on the pre-show. Had him posing for pictures with tourist, ect....JMHO

With all the Hype about gold these days and all the shows out it is easy now more than ever for people to be fooled! Since there are no laws to my knowledge to govern tv/news programs from telling lies/stories to influence the people instead of stating facts! Its easy to watch these programs and say any idiot can do that. And all to often people are lured by these very false examples of miners/actors? Please remember everyone who is thinking of prospecting or striking it rich.. Prospecting is hard, dangerous work. We do not have the cable companies to pay are bills or rescue teams on standby or even a nurse's for that matter. The majority of us do not have satilite phones, and investors. AND THE MAJORITY OF US FAIL AS FULLTIME PROSPECTORS!! Prospecting takes time and research. And common sense doesn't hurt either. I can only imagine the people who will lose everything due to these shows. It is sad that we allow and participate in wathching these shows so some can get a good laugh at the expense of others. It's come to my attention that Parker of GoldRush is now doning tours. How disapointed I was when I heard this, I thought at first, it was for him it was all about the gold but I was wrong It's just all about the dollar. I hold no offense for a person who wants to make money, I just assumed that Parker was more like his grandpa and it was the lifestyle that mattered.

 

[GarretDiggingAz]

I have to admit that watching these shows head re-ignited my desire to prospect. I've always been interested and done a small amount of rock hounding and panning as a kid. So after discovering some gold by accident years ago. I decided someday I'll come back and try to retrieve it. So now I've got my gold pans and minor amount of equipment to go prospect the area.
I truly hope that people pay attention to the show. It's taken A Lot of material, MONEY and lots of TRIAL and ERROR. The Hoffman's have turned to experienced miners to get information on how to get the gold and where. For the most part it's a lot of work with a low return. You have to enjoy being out in nature and enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Do research on areas that produced in the past. Join a prospecting club. Ask others about equipment, prior to purchasing. I think most of all have patience. As most have discovered. You won't strike it rich right off the bat. So don't quit your jobs thinking you could become an instant rich prospector. It's a hobby till you can find the lode.
Good luck to all you prospectors and Happy Hunting.

 

[Rdg Sluicer]

I have acquired the basic tools over the past few years. I have several pans, stream sluice, gold sucker & various hand tools ect. I have really really wanted a nice highbanker. In the past I would have just run out and bought one. I may have gotten good use out of it or I may not. Since the highbanker I want is over $1,000 I have decided I am not going to get one until I can pay for it with money I earn from my sluice. I figure if I have enough knowledge and skill to earn it then I will be able to make it worth owning it.

 

[goldog]

Parker and his grandpa did'nt ask to be celebrities. It came to them. Can't blame them for taking what's offered.

 

[MadMarshall]

Parker and his grandpa did'nt ask to be celebrities. It came to them. Can't blame them for taking what's offered.

It's hard enough for me to respect any person who chooses to exploit their life for money. And once a person does it becomes very clear at least to me that for the right amount of money they will do anything. I'm a very happy fulltime prospector I struggle from time to time with the bill's no big deal. And life is pursued on my terms. It's just sad to me to see people sell values for nothing of value!!!! Prospecting for me is a way of life not a job.. How AWESOME THE WORLD WOULD BE IF PEOPLE WERE VALUED MORE THAN GOLD..

 

[mellowyellow]

Just a tour man. He's not selling bumper stickers. Gotta pay the bills. Plain and simple. Maybe he needs the cash, maybe his grandpa is sick and needs healthcare cash.. Who knows. Who cares. I try not to judge people. To each is own though right.

 

[KevinInColorado]

@Rdg Sluicer- good attitude about the gear and $$!

 

[Rdg Sluicer]

@Rdg Sluicer- good attitude about the gear and $$!

I think it is going to be awhile until I can get a high banker though....lol

 

[KevinInColorado]

With a little luck and a lot of sweat...who knows?!!