nebraskadad said:Before you put a pan in the water check you'll want to check if you can legally do so.
I'd recommend a couple of things if you are starting out, join a local club or the GPAA, you would have access to go places immediately without the research associated with staking a claim.
But if you choose to get your own claim make sure it is open 1st, then prospected it. You can check claims at the county clerks office of the county you intend to prospect, you'll need the location ( ie. Section, Township, Range)
You can do some research via the BLM website
http://www.geocommunicator.gov/NILS-PARCEL2/map.jsp?MAP=MC
You can zoom to the area you may have questions about in the lower 48 on this site. AK information is on a different website.
This assumes it is BLM or USFS lands.
On these lands you have rights to mineral claim, you do not have right to run people off unless they are prospecting on your claim. Hikers, hunters and fishermen have the right to be there as well. Just not to prospect.
What state are you in? I can perhaps point you in a direction to get info you need.