kmil10, I'm up north a bit from you and within a half hour drive of the Museum in Goldvein. I've also been reading alot about prospecting in VA, lots of gold and other relic history all within an hours drive for me. But, I'm not finding anything that outlines where you can legally pan (other than the museum grounds). I've got alot of ideas on where I'd like to pan (a number of rivers and streams), but don't want a rear full of lead or a pricey ticket for my efforts. Shenandoah National Park & George Washington National Forest are also on my list, but do they fall under BLM? BLM appears to state that it is legal, but what I've read online about SNP, it is a no no...
I for one would be very interested in a local VA GP chapter and would join in a minute. I've also got about the next month off, so I'm very itchy to get out and start scratching... My son (11) is more "meh" about panning now, but there is no doubt that one small flake or nugget brought home would have him spending his allowance on a pan... He can't get enough of the Alaska GM show (not the Nome one where every other word is bleeped out)....
