? ?Well!? ? :P
Basically, a Regular Filed Claim just protects what you have found, in the way of marketable minerals!
W/o a "claim" you can't stop anyone from also taking any gold or whatever you have found in an area!
Also, you can't start mining without informing the BLM/State by filing a claim if you intend to do mining!
But! You can do "week end" or "recreational" mining, if you don't mind company!
Go to your Forest Service Office for the area you want to mine. Tell them what you want to do. They have all the information. In No Cal all you have to do to Dredge is get a dredge permit from Fish and Game and file a letter of intent with the Forest service. The only time you want to file a claim is if you don't want anyone else to take the minerials from your area......Art
There are millions of acres open to you thru the Forest Service and BLM. East of the rockies it's much tougher.Out west different rules apply. Each state also throws in it's own schtick to raise money thru fees and fines.There are seasons and dozens of classifications to go thru. Join a club that has claims and learn quicker and lessen those NEWBIE costly time consuming mistakes. Side benefit is ya meet some great folks too!!Tons a au 2 u 2-John