Nevada Has / Had Great History And Variety Of Gold Experts

[Gerry in Idaho]

Nevada has always been one of my most enjoyable treasure states to visit. 

Part of why I wanted to make this post (and why I'd like to see others give their input) , is to help guide some of the newer gold prospectors that has joined on with the rise in Au prices around $2000 an ounce.

A little history about Nevada and I.  I first started detecting Nevada for natural gold in the mid 90's with a local guy from Boise who goes by the name of Largo.  He's had some health issues the last few years and not been to RP but promised I'd try to get him down there one more time this Fall. 

Some of the Gold Experts at the time, I was able to cross paths with and learn a bit or two (if they slipped the tongue- were usually pretty quiet) are names like Smokey Baird, Dog Water, T-Bone, Duffey, Jim Malone, Jim Straight, Gordon Zahara, 7 Up Jerry, Chuck Graff, Digger Bob, Jim Williams and of course Ed Spears...and probably a half dozen other names I can't think of at this moment.  If any of you old timers on DP know where some of these folks are, I'd sure like an update.  Yes I realize a good part of them have pasted to more golden patches, but I think some are still around and talking the stories of old.

These were the guys you needed to watch, listen and listen even more.  You paid attention to what they drove and where they traveled.  You'd better be at the T & A (for many yrs I thought it was tits & ass) truck stop in Imlay, early in morning to sit a booth down and listen to their stories of the recent hunts and or finds.  Eventually after quite some time of seeing the same dusty faces, they might give you time of day.  Some of the others never hung there much (guess the T & A wasn't that good), but you might spot the dust cloud of their rig heading to a new patch.  Many a times, I would run into 1 or 2 of them out Sawtooth or Jungo way, and they would occasionally toss a bone of knowledge my way.  After all I was still pretty new to Nevada and learning the gold detector ropes.  Heck in fact, I was still on the VLF band wagon and since I was finding gold every day, thought I was hot shit.  Little did I know at the time, those high dollar Minelab PI's were the real deal.

My 1st Minelab Gold was with a borrowed SD-2100 (the green one) and it took me about 3 days straight of hunting before I flipped my 1st gold.  It was at that depth and time I realized their true power.  I've been tethered to one almost ever since.  Yes I go back to the VLF's on occasion (actually more than most would think), but I have earned many yrs of detector knowledge and skills, so knowing when to grab the VLF speedster is a must.

Still plenty of gold to be found in Northern Nevada, but you need to do your homework.  After all, it's not easy to find and that's why some of us on DP who post/comment, we know how hard it is and rewarding at the same time.

So here's some help to the newer generation of gold hunters who wants to work hard, walk plenty and do research.

I don't have it in stock right now, so it's not about me making a sale...  Get this book.  Placer Deposits of Nevada by Maureen Johnson.  Study the recorded gold recoveries and realize some of the smaller sites will not get the attention they deserve.  Lack or water in NV was one of the reasons those sites were so short lived.

Google Earth - Using the computer on Google Earth and look for old mining areas, ore dumps and even recent years scrapes.  These tip offs will almost always provided a few missed pieces of gold.  What I like about G.E. is the ability to see on the other sides of mountains, hills and or areas that I could never get my truck.

Elevation - Most of the placer nuggets seem to be in the same elevation zone within a few hundred feet anyway.  If you are a follower on DP, then you recently seen this info was spoken and posted.  Do your do diligence and read.

Indicators - Learn the terminology of Desert Asphalt, Dry Wash Piles, Pushes, Scraps, Iron Cubes and some other terms others might add to this post.

Detector Knowledge - Know your detector and then some.  Au is around $2000 an ounce.  If you have not found gold with it or are going home skunked more than you go home with gold, it might be of wisdom to take some genuine in the field training.  Yes it will cost you money, but your learning curve and chances of golden dreams of Success are drastically improved.

Location - Go and hunt were gold has been found before.  DO NOT try to be the 1st at finding gold in a region, mountain drainage that has never produced and or doesn't show any signs.  Just because you were hiking a mountain ridge while chasing Chucker and seen a quarts blowout.  Once you have become proficient at finding gold and building up your patience, then you might do an occasional "prospecting" trip.  Best advice is stay in the areas that has already produced.  Todays never detectors and their technologies still finds a few the old machines missed.

Patience - If you can't handle detecting for hours with no gold, please stick to coin/relic hunting as their rewards are much easier and faster.  As I mentioned earlier in the post, those of us who have passed the patience test are the same ones who get that tickle in the tummy, giggle of the grin and joy of doing what so many can't, finding a piece of gold with the detector.

Prepared - Know your body and its limitations.  No metal boots is a MUST if you swing a powerful PI, ZED or bigger coil on a VLF.  Rare Earth Super Magnet on the end of a good quality pick.  Super Bungee, Harness, Swing Arm, Hip Stick are all designed to allow for more comfort that allows for longer/easier time in the field swinging a detector.  Non Metal Plastic Nugget Cup or Trowel to help speed up the recovery of targets.

Common Courtesy - Pack out your trash and even some of those who don't.  Never toss a dug up piece of trash back on the ground, please put it in your pouch.  Fill your holes as the ranches cows and those of us who hunts nights hate stepping in a hole.  Respect Private Property and or Claims.

Wildlife - Northern Nevada has an abundance of wild horses and some burros, deer elk, mountain lions, bears, big horn sheep and plenty of moo cows.  A variety of reptiles, some poisonous and most not, even a few tortoise, tarantulas.  As I get older more mature and wise, I learn to appreciate each of the species I might be fortunate to cross paths with and now let them all live.  Yes on occasion a rattlesnake in camp might need to be exterminated, but for the most part, this is their land and they are not trying to hurt us.

Now for some pics (I do hope others who have had success will take the time to share their pics) of Nevada gold.

 

HooverRover.bmp

[jasong]

Epic post Gerry!

Is that massive quartz chunk in front of Spencer shot through with gold??

[Northeast]

Nice post Gerry.  

4 hours ago, Gerry in Idaho said:

Never toss a dug up piece of trash back on the ground, please put it in your pouch.

And a great piece of advice.   I have come across this before and just don't understand why anyone would - it just makes it hard for the next person.  What many don't realise is that the next person may be themselves with a new detector or a new coil.  Talk about 'shooting yourself in the foot'.   

Some beautiful gold amongst your pics  👍

[IdahoPeg]

Some very good advice and GREAT photos! I love northern Nevada too...the solitude and scenery, the wildlife, and the beautiful nuggets. Here’s a pic from 2012, from the 1st Patch I discovered on my own, using the 3500 and elliptical mono coil I bought from you. I was so excited, I think I called or texted you from the field lol!

 

And several years later, I was so happy to FINALLY have my ounce of Rye Patch beauties! I’ve hit many other places in northern Nv and found nice gold, but these are special😊

[jrbeatty]

Jerry: The US sure has better crystalline colours than Oz. Not jealous, much - OK, a bit!

[GB_Amateur]

17 hours ago, Gerry in Idaho said:

Elevation - Most of the placer nuggets seem to be in the same elevation zone within a few hundred feet anyway.  If you are a follower on DP, then you recently seen this info was spoken and posted.  Do your do diligence and read.

Wow, Gerry, thanks!  That post is worthy of an article in a hardcopy magazine.  Few left, but Gold Prospectors (GPAA bi-monthly) would be quite receptive, IMO.  Then again, maybe you want it just kept among the members here....

I do have one question on the above statement.  When you say 'elevation', do you mean absolute altitude (distance above sea level) or relative altitude (above the surrounding norm)?  And does this apply to the entire state or more specifically the NW quadrant?

OK, I lied.  I though of another question.  You said: "Still plenty of gold to be found in Northern Nevada,...."  Can you estimate the fraction of that area which is unclaimed and public?  (Just a WAG -- 50%? 20%? etc.)

[Gerry in Idaho]

On 8/29/2020 at 1:10 PM, jasong said:

Epic post Gerry!

Is that massive quartz chunk in front of Spencer shot through with gold??

It was not all through it but if I remember right, I think over a pound of the yellow stuff was in it.  Close to a 100 pound boulder and that there is a 25" round coil to give everyone an idea of the size of hole he had to dig.  Thanks for all your great posts as well.

[Gerry in Idaho]

Peg -  In 2012 when you hit your 1st RP patch, it had to be a phone call...I'm just in the last year learning the cell phone does more than make a call.  Texting is new to me, but I'm learning.   The 2nd pic of your 1+ ozt nuggets is amazing and you better have a blown up pic of them hanging on the wall somewhere, maybe in your FL home to keep you smiling every day.  Thanks for adding.

jrbeatty -  Us Yanks dream of that red dirt stained gold of higher purity.  Guess the old saying still holds true.  "Most everyone thinks the gold is better on the other side of the hills/world".  Fact is, we get used to finding one type and so it is quite interesting to see something golden that is different.  We all want to put different kids of gold in our collection.  Thanks for adding.

GB - Glad you enjoyed it so much.  As for the Elevation, I feel it has to do more with the region you are in and the elevation most others are finding gold.  Yes the NNW part of NV is a lot alike, but I do know of exceptions too.  Jason mentioned in an earlier post for North NV and I would have to agree for the most part. Relative to the area is what I prefer.  As for % of claimed and open land.  Don't take this wrong, but I feel big mining companies claimed land is still open to the guy and his dog walking around with a metal detector.  I have yet in all my years been chased of of big mining company claims as they are chasing a different kind of gold.  So if I take them out of the equation, I feel there is at least 50% of open land to swing a detector.  Thanks for adding.

 

[Steve Herschbach]

Great posts and photos Gerry, thanks for sharing!! 👍🏼

[Joe D.]

Cool post! Love the pics!

Thanks!👍👍