Panning in MA

[scott3165]

Hello All First Time Posting in the Forum,

I live in Massachusetts and just starting panning for gold last summer in VT. I have done a lot of research and looking at TOPO graphs and trying to understand what I am looking at and for.

My question is: Is there a chance to find gold wherever I can find bedrock?

The problem I am running into in the streams I am panning is mica, alot of it. There are alot of huge chunks of quartz rocks which I'm hoping is another sign there might be gold in the streams.

I've been looking where people have already found gold close to me and most of it is 5+hours which makes it hard to go every weekend, especially when gas is climbing well over 3.50 a gallon. So I'm trying to do more research on how and if I can find gold closer to me where it has never been found. I go out and take samples and bring them back to my house to pan out when I have the chance but no luck so far. I just found some bedrock here in MA about 20 mins away and will be going to take some samples once the snow clears up some more.

Any tips would be great for my searching!

Scott

 

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[scott3165]

It's Never Too Cold For Gold!!!!

 

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[survival_hippie]

has anyone been panning past few weeks here in mass since its been pretty warm out?

 

[scott3165]

I went out two weekends ago doing some sluicing when it was in the 30's. Didn't find anything but some garnets and some red quartz pieces (very small).

 

[BOURNE2HUNT]

are there any permits needed for dredging ,sluicing in Massachusetts ?

 

[scott3165]

None for sluicing not sure on dredging. Let me know if you find out.

 

[Ray D]

Most of the gold in Mass is located East of the Berkshires and West of the Connecticut river. The hot spots are Bernardston and Becket. Couch Brook is a popular spot. If you are not actually in the brooks, take care near rocks. Copper head snakes are found in the area as well as black bear.

 

[dlannan]

hey guy's.i am also new to gold prospecting.just got back from north carolina w/my wife.had a great time down there prospecting.i am in the eastern part of the state,also looking for places to pan.just boght a sluice off ebay,and made my own highbanker.can't wait to use it.also brought back a 50 pound bag of dirt for panning.found a little gold so far.u all have a great day,and happy panning.maybe we all could meet up some time in the spring or summer.planning a trip to maine in the spring,good gold up there i hear.

 

[dlannan]

found my first gold nugget today from the stuff we brought back from north carolina. can't wait to head up to maine.maybe in 2 weeks,just to bring home a few 5 gallon pails of river bed.

 

[scott3165]

That is cool. Like to see a pic.

 

[dlannan]

this is it

 

[dlannan]

sorry about the size,i am not good at it.

 

[mus302]

this is it

Good looking nugget. Congrats.

 

[OKIE]

What part of nc were u hunting? I live in Greenville.. not trying to find out your spot, just area. I have been to Thermal City just south of the Lucky strike and found the gold in my profile pic there. congrats on ur nugget

 

[scott3165]

Very nice nugget. I'm hoping to find one up here in the North East.

 

[OKIE]

LOL.... sorry I forgot i changed my profile pic!!

 

[dlannan]

i got the bag at lucky strike gold mine.brought it home and started panning it.my wife found another one,not as big.i also live up in ma.south of boston.i paid 50.00 bucks for the bag,so far it has paid for itself.heading to maine next weekend for some buckets of river bottom.just have to find an opening in the swift river(no ice).you all have a great day.

 

[scott3165]

That's cool, hope you find some yellow on the bottom of your pan.

I live outside of Springfield and heading up North Sunday for some sluicing and filling some dirt home for blue bowling.

 

[dlannan]

hope you found a little gold in your pan.

 

[scott3165]

I found a nice picker at the top of my sluice. 6 little specs of gold also. This was real thick clay material I was digging behind a fallen tree that went across the creek.

 

[dlannan]

thats great.i am heading up next weekend,either maine or nh.got my sluice this week.smaller than i thought,but will work.not bad for what i paid.