Prospecting A to Z answers. what to look for, where to look, how to do.

[Skiddum]

So in starting this thread Im hoping to get general information for those who are new to the gold fever. and prospecting to come and questions of how and where to find gold to the more advanced questions and have access to all the experienced prospectors and there years of wisdom in the field.
I'm hoping all the people who have experience will post the answers to common questions like where do I look for gold in the river. or dry river bed.
th advice I was givin was look anywhere were the current slows down or would be caused to slow or make an eddy. behind rock and such. on the inside of the turn where the river starts to make the turn, sand bars and other places of this nature.

what to look for like quarts and magnitite, black sand and other basic rocks and sand that will tell you if there's gold in the general area. wet and dry
stuff of this nature

anything that will help new people who haven't been doing this for a long time. including panning wet or dry tec, and so on. I know there's tons of information and such on the web. but been my experience that being able to talk with people and get answers to spacific questions is a must.

 

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[goldenmojo]

Most of the answers a newby would need are contained in all the gold based forums under the gold prospecting header on TNET. It takes some searching and studying, asking of questions which are freely answered and lots of practice and then some more searching, studying, questioning and practicing. That said I will start with the letter B. If you are going to buy a sluice buy a Bazooka. Good luck to all in their quest.

 

[arizau]

For a start, research for areas of known gold occurrence either placers or hard rock and try these areas first. Blind searches away from them will probably not be productive. Placer explorations should include looking for river run rock away from the current drainage. Look for rusty layers of material in cut banks and sample them and other areas too. These three will get you started and you mentioned a few others about inside bends, etc. Test panning will tell the tale. Good luck.

 

[goldenIrishman]

Like Mojo said... It's pretty much all here already and only requires a little bit of research to find it. Starting yet another thread that rehashes what's already been posted only takes up more server space. If new members will only take a little time to learn how to use the search function here, they can find everything they need.

 

[goldog]

Sorry Mojo, B is Bedrock. As much as I like my Bazooka no one should feel they need any certain equipment besides a pan.

Gold will work its way down and into bedrock. Look for crevices running at a right angle to the flow.

Oh by the way if you have the right conditions for it, get a Bazooka.

 

[KevinInColorado]

A - always start where gold has been found before
B - bazooka ...get more gold with less work and gear
C - classifying is for chumps, finish processing and when you need to carry paydirt a long way
D - don't listen to the naysayers...there's still good gold out there waiting for you!
E - exam the historical record carefully, most don't bother but there are good clues
F - follow the advice of those with more experience
G - gold! Duh.
H -
Hmm, I'm stuck on H. Can I get some help here?

 

[Rdg Sluicer]

A - always start where gold has been found before
B - bazooka ...get more gold with less work and gear
C - classifying is for chumps, finish processing and when you need to carry paydirt a long way
D - don't listen to the naysayers...there's still good gold out there waiting for you!
E - exam the historical record carefully, most don't bother but there are good clues
F - follow the advice of those with more experience
G - gold! Duh.
H -
Hmm, I'm stuck on H. Can I get some help here?

H- Have fun!

 

[KevinInColorado]

I - investigate land status before visiting/digging...also Inside bends (of waterways) are often where you'll find the gold, learn about how gold moves during storms,etc
J - just do it! Get out there with your pan and sample, hike, sample, hike
K - keep the faith...if you do your research and your sampling you will eventually find a honey hole!
L - Land Matters: mylandmatters.org is a key research tool, use it, support it!
M - Miner, that's what you are. Never say recreational. After all, if you found a deposit that produced $1000/ hour worked, I'm betting you'd rearrange life and go at it right? This means you are casual or part time or maybe "still learning" but never "recreational"!
N - No Trace...pick up any trash as you encounter it and leave your work site attractive looking (as practical for work in process) to maximize the enjoyment of other land users.
O ...
Hmm, anyone?

 

[DDancer]

O- Organize your activities so that even if your not on the mother load you can still have H.

 

[arizau]

P Patience in panning that tiny gold. You will need it or lose gold. Or maybe your mind?

 

[Underburden]

Q - Quest. "My quest is discovery. My goal is securing the colors once found"
From my blog Bedrock or Bust.
Bob

 

[DDancer]

R- Recovery, know, practice and discover every way to recover your treasure, gold or otherwise, lest it slip away or be damaged.

 

[KevinInColorado]

S - sample, sample, sample. Get out in the field and search. Get out away from the crowds and sample overlooked areas.

 

[norcalsteve]

T- TreasureNet most all your questions will be answered here. Best prospecting site on the net.

 

[russau]

U = understand how your equipment works and how to use it for the creek your on!

 

[arizau]

V - Vigor. Pursue gold and all your other passions with it!

 

[Goodyguy]

W- work! Dont be afraid to work, if it was easy we would all be rich. Plan your work then work your plan.

 

[goldog]

W- Water action. Placer gold is deposited by water action at some point.

Always keep that in mind when reading a stream or other deposit. Imagine the water flowing at its highest rate. How would the obstructions act in a 100 year flood when the water is above your head?

 

[DDancer]

X- X marks the spot when you've applied the alphabet and have found that golden opportunity on your prospect, rolled up your sleeves and gotten what you went there for. (hard to find a word for X as its almost a word itself, hehh)

 

[goldog]

Y- Why? It's about Liberty. Yellow metal.