Pick a topic to share your knowledge, add to a post or ask a question.

[fishing8046]

It is hot outside. Let's share some information. What we know makes us better prospectors. I for one am a prospector that took literally two years to find my first real piece of gold. It was a doozy too 🙂 I haven't found one like it since. I posted it here when I put it in hydrofluoric acid. 

Please pick a topic and start a post on it or post comments on someone else post. 

 1) Favorite places to hunt. (Gultches, Hillsides, Mine Dumps, Screen piles, bedrock etc.) Tips and tricks

2) Best research sources, maps, Out of box technics " Here is how to find a new location" 

3) GPX coils and setting (Simplify the use of a PI) Pi Basics.

4) Metal detecting patterns. We all have things we relate to gold and these tell-tell signs are the first indicator of gold. 

5) Seasons As we all know there are different approaches for each season. Summer

• Dress right and hunt the areas that normally have the worst vegetation
• Fall Check the areas that have eroded
• Winter Hunt the gut of the gulch too hot to hunt when it's hot  
• Spring Find the drainages that historically produce and expand

6) I hate to say equipment but the object is to get and identify as many targets as possible in the course of the day. What does that mean? 

• What type of ground are you hunting? 
• What is your pick of choice? Are there different picks for different areas/seasons
• Do you know when your detector is telling you Iron or non-Ferrous 
• How do you dig a target?
• Can you use your coil to pinpoint a target's location?

7) Favorite places to hunt: 

• Deserts
• High Deserts
• Foot Hill
• Mountains
• Rivers
• Streams 
• Creek Beds
• Washes
• Gultches

😎 What do you do with the gold you find

• Save your gold
• Sell Your Gold
• Repurpose your gold for jewelry

9) Trip preparation: research 

10) Hunting Gear. Camel Pack, Foods for breaks, Water or Gator Aid, etc 

Any or all of the 10 items would make a great thread the idea is to make a contribution to your fellow gold hunters who are dwindling in numbers by the year but each and every one of them has the knowledge to pass on  

[fishing8046]

I thought I would provide some of my thoughts on my own post hoping we can gain some traction and share some methods and means 🙂

Please pick a topic and start a post on it or post comments on someone else post. 

 1) Favorite places to hunt. (Gultches, Hillsides, Mine Dumps, Screen piles, bedrock etc.) Tips and tricks

·       Hillsides are tough until you find something. This would mostly be in an area where you have found gold in the Gultch. Someone said if it is in the creek it is on the hillside. 

·       Mine dumps is like scratching lottery tickets you just have to be in the right spot, this applies to screen piles but the number of trash targets may be fewer. 

·       Bedrock is a science follow the flow and move a rock or two. 

2) Best research sources, maps, Out of box technics " Here is how to find a new location" 

·       There is no substitute for boots on the ground. There is always a spot with in the spot- Nobody gets it all is a fact the same as gold does not grow back. 

3) GPX coils and setting (Simplify the use of a PI) Pi Basics.

·       Coil setting is always a work in progress there are so many factors affecting settings. To keep it basic if your setting is completely silent you may be running too balanced. Each area each coil and each day depending on the weather has a different setting. 

4) Metal detecting patterns. We all have things we relate to gold and these tell-tell signs are the first indicator of gold. 

·       I have to say this is usually the first nugget. But some old workings or for the untouched areas the right combo of surrounding rocks and minerals 

5) Seasons As we all know there are different approaches for each season. Summer

• Dress right and hunt the areas that normally have the worst vegetation
• Fall Check the areas that have eroded
• Winter Hunt the gut of the gulch too hot to hunt when it's hot  
• Spring Find the drainages that historically produce and expand

6) I hate to say equipment but the object is to get and identify as many targets as possible in the course of the day. What does that mean? 

• What type of ground are you hunting? 
• What is your pick of choice? Are there different picks for different areas/seasons
• Do you know when your detector is telling you Iron or non-Ferrous 
• How do you dig a target?
• Can you use your coil to pinpoint a target's location?

7) Favorite places to hunt: 

• Deserts
• High Deserts
• Foot Hill
• Mountains
• Rivers
• Streams 
• Creek Beds
• Washes
• Gultches

😎 What do you do with the gold you find

• Save your gold
• Sell Your Gold
• Repurpose your gold for jewelry

9) Trip preparation: research 

10) Hunting Gear. Camel Pack, Foods for breaks, Water or Gator Aid, etc 

Any or all of the 10 items would make a great thread the idea is to make a contribution to your fellow gold hunters who are dwindling in numbers by the year but each and every one of them has the knowledge to pass on  

[nuggethunting]

Hi Fishing,

    My Favorite place to hunt while prospecting for new areas would be the washes.  I just figured why not allow time and erosion get the gold to the lowest spot and hopefully you're the first guy with a detector through the area.  I'm sure I have left a ton of gold on the hillsides by just chasing stuff in the bottom, so I guess I need to get on those banks and hills more.  

Rob

[Ridge Runner]

I find myself as I get older if and when I get to go nugget hunting that I like to hunt up the slopes. In hunting up hill you don’t have to bend over as much and you don’t have to get down on one are both knees.

 Just remember when you’re doing it is to make a level shelf below your target. The reason for that is when you digging that nugget up it won’t go rolling down the hill side but land on that shelf you made for it.

 Another thing to think about is always carry a backup detector with you . When you think nothing will go wrong that’s when it will jump up and bite you in the backside.

 I still got teeth mark’s from some of the mistakes I’ve made in the past.

 Chuck 

Edited November 20 by Ridge Runner

[fishing8046]

Chuck I always find a nugget of wisdom in your comments! Thank you