Things you might consider before making a living at prospecting

[MadMarshall]

1. Disapointment ( I hope you don't mind having your dreams dashed on a daily basis.

2. Weather (It's either too hot or to cold very very rarely with you ever have the perfect conditions.

3. Your Body ( can you or do you want to be punishing your body on a daily basis,even if you do, can you handle it.?

4. Not all men are created equal ( despite what you may have been told)

5. common sense (the majority of you lack this)

6. Basic first aid ( When I'm out with someone I am responsable for them and for their safety as they are for mine,)

7. Trust ( Before asking for partners ect. ect be sure to think it thru always a mistake to seek out a partner. hell me and my brother still go round and round over stupid stuff and we got blood that binds us.)

8.Knowledge ( books and internet are not enough first hand experiance is a must)

9. Internet ( full of half truths and opinons don't take anyone else word for it)

10. Goals (where does it stop how much is enough.. there are easier ways to make a buck)

 

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[Aurabbit79er]

Fullpan you are a go getter. You need to tell us more about the crushed truck, I'm interested.
Even with all our talk about how our freedoms are being taken us, we sometimes take our own freedoms from ourselves through the commitments that we make. It's strange how even though I'm unemployed right now, and my time is basically my own, I'm still stuck here in the city for most of the time.
It's the love of family and home to take care. I don't expect them to go with me gold mining every time I go, but when I'm out there I can't help wondering how things are going back home. To be able to gold mine for a whole season is on my bucket list. I couldn't do it if I wasn't sure that my family wasn't well provided for. Yeah I more or less trapped myself. But I thankful I can at least be a weekend gold warrior.

 

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[Goldwasher]

Tenacity and strength of character will get you very far in life....won't they Fullpan.I find it a little brash to say most here have no common sense and are not a good source of knowledge...threads and posts here have aided more than a few I'm sure.If you are gonna try and be a "full Timer"...then you have to be ready to be one....no Don't go and leave a good job thinking your gonna go strike it rich....cause you won't.But if your a retiree or say some younger brave soul who Hasn't had his Good ol' American Adventure bone...Genetically or surgically removed through the couch cusion...then Plan,Prepare,Practice....and mostly Pursue....consider as many variables and hardships as you can.....accept that there are things you won't have thought of.....bring some Duct Tape, JB Weld, a Metal Gold Pan, copy of "Bacon and Beans from A Gold Pan" from there let the fresh air help you redefine Rich and Succesful.....when its all over share the best parts with those around you who never even tried....then prepare to deal with their jealousy......"Today is the Day Boys"

 

[Fullpan]

Aurabbit, I was a go getter, but that was a long time ago(mid 1980's) - I always planned to go back after retirement, but it wasn't to be(health problems).
Oh well, I had "my time in the sun". Now I get enjoyment out of watching others adventures here on this forum and reminiscing(a little too much!) As for
the crushed truck incident, I had to hitchike to town for a couple months (25 miles), then a park ranger at Malakoff State Park came to the rescue and
accepted my truck in trade for an extra truck he had - very kind of him! Here's a couple pics, if I can get them up. PS - that's
"Turlock Frank" one of my best mining partners.

 

[Fullpan]

pville, - true words of wisdom, especially the Duct Tape and "Bacon and Beans" book

 

[ivan salis]

sadly many folks often think that outdoor activitys are all "about" the amount of gold , or the amount of game , or fish harvested * -- the fiscal cost of going gold panning , hunting and fishing these days are often more than you will "yeild" cost wize out of said adventure * but if its only about the "money' you think you can make -- you generally should stay home anyways -- there is something to be said about being ouitdoors , that soothes the soul relaxing with nature --some like to do it alone , while some are blessed to have a true "good freind" or freinds to hang out with -- (hunt camp- comes to mind)

 

[Goldwasher]

Cool pics..sorry about the truck she looks like a goodone.

 

[kuger]

I have made most of my living in the past from being off the grid,and until I became a father didnt have an emotion that needs to be on that list......the ability to be alone

 

[gold tramp]

Another point to add to list, we run into at least 25 of these guys or more a year.
They will turn the best trip, into the greatest suffering youll ever expierience.
Saftey first watch your hands n feet.
good luck n happy hunting. Cpt Herb



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[nuggetshooter323]

When your out in the woods a while the occasional rattle snake sure tastes better than freeze dried or canned food.

Another point to add to list, we run into at least 25 of these guys or more a year.
They will turn the best trip, into the greatest suffering youll ever expierience.
Saftey first watch your hands n feet.
good luck n happy hunting. Cpt Herb



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[Edge2sharp]

I think the best part of gold prospecting is the nature around you and pulling up what mother nature made...the fresh air, the beauty of your gold job site...even if you do this full time or not, it is an experience of a lifetime that may slowly disappear...got to take advantage of it while we can...in my humble opinion when people do this solely for the money then it just is another job that you will dislike

 

[MadMarshall]

I think the best part of gold prospecting is the nature around you and pulling up what mother nature made...the fresh air, the beauty of your gold job site...even if you do this full time or not, it is an experience of a lifetime that may slowly disappear...got to take advantage of it while we can...in my humble opinion when people do this solely for the money then it just is another job that you will dislike

How true I have witnessed some truly amazing things Just last year my brother and I were digging and he calls me over and says that his pan was jumping and sure enough when I get there his pan was being bumped up off the ground he picked up his pan and seconds later a mole poke thru. So many awesome things to experiance..
prospecting is a way of life not a job at least for me

 

[Oakview2]

Fullpan

What were the odds of the one and only snag of falling and hitting your truck. I really enjoyed your pictures, and I still remeber a picture you posted of you with a large classifier and you digging out in a cobblefield, and a reciept for gold you had cashed in. Keep them coming they are awesome...

 

[Fullpan]

Thanks Oak - That was just one time of many that I repeated the ole "If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have...."lol.

MM - A couple stories about #2. Weather I talked some newbies into a prospecting trip when I didn't know squat myself. Dropped off on hwy 20 and made
it down by dark. It was April, and we each had enough food for four or five days. Started snowing, woke up to an inch on the ground. Gregg got a bad fever
overnight, but we said "it'll clear up tomorrow" - snowed lightly all day, another two inches - Greg really sick. Decided to give up and get out. Made some
jerryrigged snowshoes, started up to the road at 8am Nine hours later, arrived at hwy crawling on our bellies thru five ft of snow - noobies got lucky!

 

[Roscue2]

Some very nice Photos drywallman!

 

[Sample Pan Dan]

Some very nice Photos drywallman!

Thanks Roscoe, gotta do something right until I find the yellow stuff :-)

 

[warbike39]

All I can say to Marshall is why would you even waste your time coming to this sight if you have no vision...no dream or no goals of ever finding the real treasures in life...which the rest of us know aren't all gold nuggets but are actually the same freedoms and dreams that make this country what it really is....take your WalMart Close Minded attitude and get in line with the rest of the sheep and let us Americans do what we Love...Adventure Explore andCreate what the rest of the World wants.
Sincerely
Davo

 

[gold tramp]

breakdowns

This would of stopped most folks dead in their tracks, it happened yesterday on my way out to the hills, I still did 18 miles in 18 out at 5mph.
thats another for the list breakdowns. And Got Gold!

one time one of these guys atacked our camp.
he had issues with our dust brush.
these guys are even tastier than snake and easyer to catch.

good luck n happy hunting Cpt Herb.

 

[Fullpan]

Yes - Breakdowns should go high on the list! Not being "mechanically inclined" was my biggest problem out there. But I eventually learned some things
over time. For instance, I can clearly see in the pic, you have a "thing-a-ma-jig loose and flopping around, see?

 

[spillercanyon]

The ability to be alone is a big one. I often prospect alone and rather enjoy it when I do. Even when I have prospected with someone, there are times when he would have to leave for a day or two to do whatever he had to do and I would be by myself for that time. Some can't be alone for more than a few minutes before they feel the need to see, talk, text or communicate with someone in some fashion.

 

[MadMarshall]

All I can say to Marshall is why would you even waste your time coming to this sight if you have no vision...no dream or no goals of ever finding the real treasures in life...which the rest of us know aren't all gold nuggets but are actually the same freedoms and dreams that make this country what it really is....take your WalMart Close Minded attitude and get in line with the rest of the sheep and let us Americans do what we Love...Adventure Explore andCreate what the rest of the World wants.
Sincerely
Davo

Your comment sir? I'm unsure if you are beining sarcastic or truly believe what you written? Americans sheep? or just you? " Americans do what we Love...Adventure Explore and Create what the rest of the World wants." Stupid.. you pretty much described all of humanity Let me guess you must think all the world wants to be americans?? How do you presume to know what all the world wants?