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[–] • 2 pts

I do it more for the excuse to get out into the deep bush near me. There are a ton of gold bearing streams in the mountains by me that are so remote they only see a few people every year.

I've only ever came back with like 20 dollars worth of gold though and that is with a sluice. I'm in the south east so I won't be able to retire on it

I've found a bunch of cool rocks and gemstones though which is a pretty nice bonus. I have a jar filled with reds blues and yellows.. they could be gemstones or just quartz.. idc.

[–] • 0 pt

I’m always curious what is considered wilderness or “fair game” in terms of access and extraction.

[–] • 1 pt

he had about $90 there. needs to rig a rocking sluice to catch the fine stuff

[–] • 0 pt

I scanned his videos, tons of good finds. What I wonder is how do you know where it’s ok to do this? Clearly there’s a good chance that on private property I could get busted for stealing. But in a state park for example are you even allowed to take stuff out with you? I know you’re not suppose to damage plants, but will they bust me for carrying off rocks too?

[–] • 0 pt

State Trust Lands, Wilderness Areas, National Parks, Game Reserves, Indian Lands, Military Installations and land with Federal mineral claims on them are off limits. Areas with claims on them must be marked on all four corners and center. If they haven’t marked it, not much they can say. If it is marked and they catch you it all depends on how far they want to take it. Lands with mineral claims on them doesn’t mean you can’t go on them, it only means you can’t take minerals off of them or impede the the claimants workings. Two types of claims, placer and hard rock. Placer is surface, hard rock is sub surface. First claim give claimant superior rights. You can’t put a placer claim on a hard rock and vice versa. I work in the industry, recreational mining is not something you want to quit your day job over. It can be very profitable, but generally for most it is not. There’s worse things you can throw your money at though. More fun than a gym and you will bust your ass if you want to get serious about it. Most of the easy pickin’s are long gone. Since covid and the popularity of the gold shows on TV and youtube, sales of equipment have gone through the roof with suppliers having a hard time keeping up. Meaning, a lot more competition for the color. It’s kinda funny, potato sized nuggets were common back in the day (1800’s) and now today people get excited to find a few fly spec pieces in their pan after shoveling all day. Back then $15 an ounce to today’s $1700+ an ounce. Not to say a man can’t get a several ounces in a season though. Just consider it a hobby that improves your mental and physical health, gets you out in nature and has the slightest chance of financial wealth for you efforts and you won’t be disappointed.

[–] • 0 pt

These dudes are from Canada. So you might wanna do some research about your state.

[–] • 1 pt (edited )

Not that this has anything to do with stateside regulations, just an interesting tidbit. Russia, China, Australia and then the United States are the top four rankings in gold production I believe. I think it really drops when you get to the US ranking. Australia probably has the easiest pickings for the recreational miner with the use of a metal detector. They’re pulling out some nice nuggets over there.

Edit: spelling

[–] • 0 pt

but usually not