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Showing content with the highest reputation on 04/01/2019 in all areas

  1. One of the reasons you must always fill in your Minelab dig hole !!! ?
    17 points
  2. There are quite a few newer folks on the forums and some are about to purchase a gold detector. I want to give you an update. My Field Staff Experts and I will be offering our 1st of 2019 season a 3 Day Field Training on Gold Detectors, Friday April 12th - Sunday 14th. I was just notified a couple can not make it and one other from back east won't either. This means I have 3 openings right now. Any customer who purchases a gold detector from me of $2500+ can take the class for free. With the GPZ-7000 promo going on right now and you getting the additional 19" coil (valued at $1500). Purchase one of these from me...ATX Deep Seeker, GPX-4500, GPX-5000, SDC-2300 or GPZ-7000 and you get a variety of classes to choose from. Yes I also offer a 15% Military discount on Minelabs. How good is our training? Just ask the folks who have taken the class (some of them are on this forum). Please do not think you are going on a gold hunt. Our training is for Educating you on the proper use of your detector. Each of my staff members and I will be plugging in our headphones into a splitter with your phones and into your detector while teaching you the sounds to walk away from and the ones to investigate. We'll be explaining how to tell ground noise from a genuine target doing the details over and over. Each of us say the same thing, but in different words/tones, so after 3 days of instruction, you actually start to understand. From past experiences, the most gold is usually found on the last day, as you are starting to put everything together. We teach much more with the detectors, their technologies but I won't go into detail. Contact me direct with any questions.
    5 points
  3. Very nice gold nugget jewelry Bob...and it would look good around anyone's neck. I did the same thing and had one made for my dad. He is the guy who got me started into metal detecting in the early 70's. Here is one of my Ganes Creek, AK finds.
    5 points
  4. I had a high speed blowout on one of my detecting boots yesterday but due to my amazing physical abilities and fast thinking I was able to maintain course and continue detecting. I'm a pretty even tempered, mellow kind of prospector and I keep my cool ,even when the world is collapsing down around my ears. So back to the subject at hand------------ WHY ^%(&#@^!!* CAN'T SOME ^&%+)$&@& COME OUT WITH A ^%_)$!* PARE OF %&$#(#@ DETECTING BOOTS THAT WILL LAST FOR ONE &%$(%#!@ SEASON!? Thank you Dr. Herschbach for the therapy session. I feel much better now.
    4 points
  5. Hi Gerry… I’m glad that you mentioned utilizing the depth meter. I was tempted to earlier, but decided not to venture too far away from your initial thread topic. Once I’ve isolated a signal the first order of business is to precisely pinpoint, carefully measure the target depth, and then evaluate the target signal. That information enables me to decide whether or not to dig it!!! The depth meter generally has a major impact on decision-making for most areas and most target ID range targets. I search for deeper silver coins as a rule of thumb, but not always. If the signal is shallow but reads penny / dime range I dig it in hopes of a silver ring, pendant or an infrequent bracelet. There are so many potentially productive coin-hunting sites that it is not rational or even possible to dig every coin signal, particularly not shallow coin signals. Nowadays in Ontario those shallow signals are mostly comprised of iron and not worth digging. By comparison, when hunting impermeable clay dominant substrates where coins don’t settle deeply, the depth meter really has little or no value. The older parks and picnic areas with high clay content soils in Toronto normally produce silver at very shallow depths. As noted previously, I tend to dig all signals in the screwcap range because silver jewelry can be had at any depth. Again this strategy is tempered by the soil conditions, insofar as targets will quickly drop out of detection range in dark moist soils characterized by a higher detritus content. In such conditions, the depth meter comes to the fore. Men’s gold rings are much more common within the extended pulltab range. One has to be circumspect about where we pursue these signals. Well groomed city parks and picnic areas that feature extensive gardens are productive places to hunt, as are sports fields, volleyball courts, baseball outfields, relaxation areas adjacent to tennis courts, and so forth. The depth meter is as important here as it is for the silver coin range because we wish to focus on the deeper targets, presuming that heavier gold will sink beyond lighter aluminum targets more quickly over time. Again, you’ve got to be selective primarily based on target depth, because you cannot afford the time to dig it all. I used the same strategy with the foil and nickel ranges but never realized much success for the time / effort. It produced quantities of foil of every description, nickels, costume jewelry, and a few thin gold rings that barely warranted digging in well-groomed, upscale neighborhood city parks. Responsible detectorists must be selective about where and how often to dig in such environs, or risk eviction by park staff. Mind you, I did recover two handsome ladies diamond rings (one 18K with a modest .35 carat diamond in a platinum setting now resides in the wife’s jewelry box), so I shouldn’t complain too much I suppose. Eventually I abandoned hunting gold on land and turned to water hunting for better results. That decision dramatically increased the gold finds for the time and effort spent doing so. I do enjoy the environs and the rewards, but for me water detecting is a crushing bore compared to prospecting or coin hunting. A few months ago I mentioned to you that central Ontario has countless, high usage beach / swimming areas. Within a few hours of my home in central Ontario, there are numerous such sites available to water hunters. Yearly gold renewal has improved because there has been an increase in 22K jewelry recovered at sites closer to Toronto, primarily Lake Simcoe beaches. Nowadays I search Lake Simcoe’s eastern beaches because these see intensive day use from Toronto and nearby large population centers. Moreover the prevailing westerly winds have created extensive troughs between the sandbanks that run parallel to the shoreline. Gold lost in these “collection” troughs is much easier to visually locate, and this is true even using a headlamp at night. Targets can easily be cleanly scooped from the relatively sandless, smooth hard bottoms. There is no need to concern myself with target ID or depths out in the water. I dig it all. With early retirement, lately I’ve focused more on prospecting for native silver. It combines a natural interest in the northern wilds with that of detecting potentially valuable silver. I also thoroughly enjoy mineralogy generally, and eastern Ontario possesses a spectacular mining history and terrific mineral diversity, particularly the famous Bancroft areas. One of the few places globally where a mineral explorer can find and recover specimen grade fluor-richterite. As recently as a trip to the lower Algonquin area early last December 2018, I held a softball size, handsome museum quality specimen in my trembling but eager hands. Well no I didn’t actually find it in the deep, forbidding winter snows, but providentially the general store had several on display!!! And a nicely provisioned snack bar too!!! Almost forgot to comment on the beautiful class ring that you posted above. An unusual looking piece, you invariably post interesting and sometimes extraordinary items. WTG on digging that signal, most impressive given the circumstances. The photo below leaves no doubt about my metal detecting interests… ..........Jim.
    4 points
  6. So did a rough job panning the fines and got another 130g, rest in to the poverty pot ?? Total gold recovered 330g.
    3 points
  7. I take size 12 in 4x4 pluggers Paul. The ugly nugget patch is still producing got this 1.5kg chunk this morning. True to form it is a ugly sucker so I smashed it up. Action shots 200g of chunks in the black pan, still processing the rest, should easily crack the 10oz mark I reckon. ?
    3 points
  8. Well I just got back from Benson beach. Haven't had a chance to do a cleanup yet but will get to it in a day or two. For cleanup I use my gold cube with deep V mat on the slick plate .... There is still a bit of black sand to deal with but finish panning makes quick work of it.... I don't have much use for a blue bowl.... Now you don't need a gold cube to do your clean up just make a small sluice tray and put deep V mat in it... small sluice size is a little variable but 8" wide by 24" long works real well. use about 800 GPH with the sluice angle at about 15 deg. As you run your cons you can watch and tune everything from there .... Here are a few pics of the beach weekend.
    3 points
  9. BeachHunter, Does that cool whiskey sip cup say "Antique"? Nice dig either way. Jim, You are right on target my friend. I agree digging those mid high tones and especially when at an old site. In fact if I am at an 1800's to 1940's site that has not been in use since, I actually dig all Non Ferrous targets. Your saves are beautiful and I enjoy the small sterling charms too. When detecting old parks and schools, I don't dig the mid high tones unless they read deeper on the depth indicator. Here is an E-Trac find that reads mid/hi, a monster 10K yellow gold class ring and even on the Equinox, it is usually an 18 and sometimes a 17 reading. I typically would not dig those #'s at the park, but it was deeper than most of the tabs. Detecting site/location also has to do a little with the tones/#'s I investigate. Thanks for sharing guys.
    3 points
  10. Hit an old field that got picked clean pretty much. Some of it is still frozen and there is tons of trash. Managed to find a 60-70's remnants of a cub scout pocket knife and 2 coins, ones a 1926 wheatie in poor shape other is the 43 quarter.
    3 points
  11. Wanted to see who was using the Equinox for prospecting and if you are, woudl you be willing to share settings and some find photos for the new Equinox Handbook that is getting ready to ship to the printer . . . will send a copy of the book when they come in if we can use them in the book. Send prospecting find photos or settings to asabisch@att.net Thanks in advance,, Andy Sabisch
    2 points
  12. I finally did something with this ugly specimen that I found during a 2004 trip to Ganes Creek. Thought I would put a bail on it and sell cheap. Then I thought about my ultrasonic cleaner. WOW price just went up!! Been wearing it myself at times. Weight 18 dwt, can't find a before photo
    2 points
  13. I heard some bad news that my Dad had died so I took some bereavement time and headed home to take care of things. I needed some alone time so I went out for an hour and found the 2 Reale and an old copper. Dad must have been smiling as well when I pulled the coins out.
    2 points
  14. When you get a not so great high tone on the Equinox, but it is above most trash and reads below most coins...do you dig it? Well I did just that yesterday and pulled this little Bear (#18) from about 5". Lets see your odd # dirty swinger find.
    2 points
  15. It’s been several years since my GPZ 7000 purchase from Gerry (and before that the GPX 5000), and even with his instruction, it would take me more time to really feel confident behind this beast of a detector. Gerry and his staff are absolutely the best option to consider adding - if you are in the market for any of these machines. They got me “up and producing” much quicker than I had expected to be, given all the variables you’re dealing with. They will get you up and running too, and in many cases you’ll be finding those prized yellow targets, they honestly will. These instructors have incredible time and experience on every machine, and unless you already bring that kind of knowledge to your purchase - they are essential, if not one of the best reason to buy thru Gerry. The better the detector IMHO, the more you need advise by those that have driven it, and figured it out before you. Finding this yellow medal is tough, and learning what to listen for essential, understanding what some of those critical variables are are equally important, unless you’re just plain lucky..... It’s the edge you can’t really get just by reading about it, you have to hear it, and have it pointed out to you. Lean on his and their knowledge.... it works. And No, this is unsolicited and not a paid commercial for Gerry, he’s just really great at this. I’ve hunted with some of his staff, like “Lunk”, and that man is a human gold vacuum in the field, but he’s earned it all by his devotion to it, much as Gerry has. Anyway - that’s my 2 cents. Good luck out there! Dave
    2 points
  16. Gerry, I’m excited about being one of the instructors during the upcoming class. Folks, this is an excellent opportunity to learn and grow your nugget detecting skills, master your gold detector and experience advanced instruction unique to Gerry’s field training...don’t miss out!
    2 points
  17. Stay off my patch !!!! ? Ill try to get you a pair of fourby thongs made up... the shop is 1700k from here!!! Good job on the lump.mate!... gets me more excited every day.... i feel a good year coming on... 36 days till OZ/Yank day... Oh yeah, Goldhound Dale messaged me to remind me my 5000 and pack were still at his house in Queensland !!! I totally forgot that i left it there...i was in a whirlwind that last week..... My Taskmaster says that didn't surprise him too much?
    2 points
  18. I was able to go out detecting with the Nox 800 for the first time this year several days ago. The weather has been bad in Northern Nevada this year and I had minor knee surgery in early March. I didn't find a lot of coins , but did manage to find an unreadable date wheat penny, a tiny gold ring, and beautiful 17" necklace(unfortunately not gold.). The gold ring measured in at .9 gram and was by far the smallest gold ring I have found in 16 years of detecting. The Nox sniffed it out at about 6 inches down with a solid "9" . The ring was so small it was even hard to locate with my pinpointer , but finally managed to capture it. I was using my standard Park 1, recovery speed 5, iron bias 1, and sensitivity 18-20 based on conditions.
    2 points
  19. Nice nugget Bob! Ah, the good old days... from my last visit to Ganes Creek... 36 nuggets and 2.86 ounces total
    2 points
  20. Hi Gerry… I don’t own an Equinox but I think that you’re also asking what sort of items we normally expect to find if we dig signals that target ID generally in the screwcap range. That is to say the target ID range that lies between upper pulltab and zinc penny range. I dig all targets in the screwcap range because there are many unpredictable, interesting or unusual items within that conductive range. That’s not to say that we don’t find our share of trash such as aluminum junk and discarded screwcaps, costume jewelry including cheap plated rings, infrequent broken watches, knives and utensils, all damaged to some extent from years of exposure to ground moisture in concert with various soil chemistries. On the other hand, this target ID range produces commemorative tokens, the large Victoria, Edward VII and George V Canada One Cent coins, and our silver half-dimes. It also produces a variety of generally smaller sterling silver jewelry such as small silver rings, pendants and charms. We occasionally detect larger silver rings that fall into screwcap range because they have become disconnected where originally sized to one’s finger. Of course other valuables such as gold rings do occasionally surface, but these are a far more rare occurrence in that particular target ID range. I’ve doubtless not mentioned many other items that fit into the screwcap range. Thanks for a nifty, interesting thread Gerry.
    2 points
  21. Here’s one. Although a clear tone I questioned digging it. The target turned out to be a Four Roses tin whisky cup from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. My wife found one in great condition on eBay with the original bottle.
    2 points
  22. Finally got a video up that goes over and shows some the uses and benefits of lidar maps for the gold prospector and metal detectorist. I also delve into some drone usage stuff at the end of the video. Let me know what you think, and if your interested in some feel free to contact me. I will hopefully have a website up in the near future, when i do i will let everyone know here. Thanks for watching!
    1 point
  23. Just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to those that have no idea who I am or what I'm up to. I mainly metal detect for nuggets now (chased the gold in Alaska, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, north-central British Columbia, south-eastern British Columbia, Alberta, but now I spend almost all of my time chasing the gold in British Columbia, Canada), used to dredge, sluice, high-bank, snipe, etc., (still do a bit for fun) but for more than a few years now, I've been associated with a large-scale placer operation, one that has slapped on me the title of their mining consultant. Sounds grandiose, however in no way is it, but they like to have me do testing for them with my detectors after they've finished cleaning a section of bedrock with their massive, heavy equipment. Why have me on site? To see what they're missing. Furthermore, after I've finished poking around, they've gone back and taken more bedrock (sometimes several feet) at times when I get a lot of gold in a hurry (or they've headed in another direction if there's a good line of pay shooting off under the overburden away from where they were trending), and other times when there's hardly any gold found with the detectors, they bury that bedrock right quick. It's a win, win situation for both of us as they value what I can do with my machines, and I value the privilege of the incredible opportunity. Their only caveat is that I can't tell the total weight of the gold I find to anyone outside of their crew (and I always must report it to them), but hey, who can't live with that, right? Oh, and they let me keep what I find, won't take a percentage (I've tried many times). In addition, I know a lot of other claim and lease owners that have properties they're not currently working, ones with abandoned excavations and sites, or ones they haven't got to yet, and they love to have me snoop around with my detectors as well, and if I find anything promising, they set up and get after the gold. I've been doing that for quite a few years, but I still like to check out unfamiliar, un-staked ground too. In addition, I like to write stories about my gold hunting outings, and oftentimes, I'll include information for any rookies out there that are trying to figure things out as they get started. Why? That's how I got started; a few good people (my original mentor is now 88) took me under their wing and taught me the ropes (a few clichés too many in that sentence, I know). My one son is now a dedicated nugget shooter (the other one lives thousands of kms away), and I love training him, plus my wife is now onboard with chasing the gold (she used to love panning my dredge concentrates, always heavy with goodies and always a good time for her and my mother-in-law [yeah, I know, sometimes the word fun and mother-in-law don't get used together in the same sentence]), and I'm ordering my wife a shiny new detector this winter because she's seen what we're getting (she loves to pan down our scoops of quick finds from the detectors which we slap in the pans when they're target rich for her to have some fun with; we call that speed-panning as it saves us the downtime of isolating the positive signals out of the scoop each and every time, giving us bonus time swinging the coils). Looking forward to get to know many of you, and some of you I already consider friends from associations on other forums . . . All the best, Lanny
    1 point
  24. I ordered the Taskmaster's Fourby Thongs today------ The cobbler was a bit flattered that people would actually like his new design... We had to give them a name so I guess maybe the Aussie Fourby thong is it.... The Fourby I like it!
    1 point
  25. Any time after 12 PM will be better because of the low tide at 3:30.
    1 point
  26. No big deal just put it in reverse and back out . Chuck
    1 point
  27. Gerry, I like the way you took that photo against the sky. Thanks everyone and thanks Steve for your photos and story. Like you said "good old days"
    1 point
  28. Crikey must be the only 5000 in all of QLD, be a valuable antique...……….?
    1 point
  29. Paul, forget? You jest. Beach detecting this week Paul?
    1 point
  30. I think it is real and it dropped its nose into a mine shaft.
    1 point
  31. Gerry, Yes it does say Antique on the crushed version as well. Identicle to the uncrushed cap. The Paul Jones Bottle pictured, I believe, is prepro. Pre Prohibition..
    1 point
  32. For these Spectra Ground Probe measurements, set ... RxGain to 1 ... - because the mineralization value you get in the Ground probe is directly dependent on the RXgain setting ... To explain: As you can see in the picture, my low mineralized terrain still has a value of 1-2% mineralization in the Groud probe even with Rx gain = 13 ... At... 4bar Fe3O4- mineralized terrain - at 1/2 setting RxGain = 7 mineralization value of 17% ... W extremely mineralized "black sand" -7bar Fe3O4 I get at minimal setting RxGain = 1 to 16% mineralization ... In practice, this means setting the detector to Rx Gain = 5 and more ..... SpectraV3 goes overload .. But you can work well with the RXgain 1 to 3 ... Equinox 800: The detector does not see mineralization layers - it shows the total mineralization of the given terrain site under the coil. Factory setting of Ground Balance = 0 is very close to setting on ferrite. -high mineralization .. With very variable and varied mineralization, it would I kept Ground balance = 0 If you have places where extreme mineralization occurs, I would use these places to set the right sensitivity and stable Equinox work. If you have salted and also use the Mineralization of Field1, Beach1, Beach2 ... these programs work well on salt and Fe-mineralized soil. Beach1a Beach 2 programs also have a function of overloading my TX performance - to achieve detection stability - during work with a lowered Tx performance, the Equinoxa Triangle Icon is displayed. I'll try to do some tests on pure magnetite ...- how does the sensitivity setting work with Equinox ..
    1 point
  33. Nice tribute to Gerry, seems like a great guy, and from what I've seen, he's very willing to help people out too. I'd love to meet him some day. All the best, Lanny
    1 point
  34. I’ve purchased from Gerry’s Metal Detectors for many years before he asked me to join his team of detector training staff, and he always went above and beyond with exceptional customer service. No matter what type of detecting you have in mind, whether it be coin, relic, jewelry, cache, beach, gold nuggets or meteorites, Gerry will quickly find the detector that’s right for you...he’s like the custom tailor of metal detecting!?
    1 point
  35. I almost always use Field 2 with 5 tones. No objective reason other than it suits my preferences for what I like to hear from the ground. More signals than Park 1, but I like that. A lot of them are trash or small items, but that's OK. I've learned what an old nickel sounds like (consistent 11/12 as I circle the target, and a small "hot spot" in pinpoint mode). I've done well with finding silver, even silver dimes on edge. I've learned to use tone, depth gauge, and pinpoint mode to gather data about a target. Field 2 just suits the way I like to hunt.
    1 point
  36. Your fathers is looking out for you, my condolences on your loss. -Bill
    1 point
  37. Hi bethanyb 1201, You have had some good advice here. I would like to hear if any of it has helped you. We are all learning here and even though we have different levels of experience, we all have had our Equinox 800s and 600s for a year or less and are still trying new things. Please respond so we can all learn from you too. Chase, I have had no problems running either Gold 1 or Gold 2 in higher mineralization. If things get a bit sideways I up the discrimination a bit (to -5 or -4 or so) and turn down the sensitivity one or two notches (to 15 or so). My 800 still gets plenty of depth. Jeff
    1 point
  38. Between work and projects I've managed to get out on a few hunts. I bought my buddy an equinox 800 since he has been kind enough to let me run all around his ranches as if I own them myself. He has showed some interest in detecting...he thinks he's going to find a 1 pound gold nugget . After spending some time showing him how it works...I'd mark a target and then have him go over it and then dig it...he started to get the hang of it. So on our second outing he goes and finds a 1855 seated quarter (like Deathrays) but not in nearly as good condition. He was stoked and I wish i had brought my camera with me so I could get a pic of him smiling and holding the coin. Been hitting some other locations near where I live. Old homesites and street tear outs. Day before yesterday was a quick but pleasant hunt. Dug the standing liberty and put it in my pocket so it would not get banged up in the pouch. I never look at items much in the field but wait till I get home. I was glad I put this coin in my pocket. I'm going to have to get it looked at just to make sure but I think it's the real deal. If anyone knows what the sun god thing was? kinda cool digging it and have that smiling back. HH to you all strick
    1 point
  39. Thanks everyone for reaching out. I went out again today and brought my buddy. He found his first Fugio cent.
    1 point
  40. As regards gold prospecting on federal land that is open to mineral entry and not under claim by some other party the key question is what triggers the need for a Notice of Intent. This is the lowest level of paperwork requirement. The CFRs were specifically changed in 1995 to clarify this requirement as regards metal detecting and a few other specific methods. I recommend having a copy of this on hand for reference if questioned. You must be on unrestricted federal land open to mineral entry and not on another persons mining claim. Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nepa/oged/includes/leasing_regs_36cfr228.pdf (1) A notice of intent to operate is not required for: (i) Operations which will be limited to the use of vehicles on existing public roads or roads used and maintained for National Forest System purposes; (ii) Prospecting and sampling which will not cause significant surface resource disturbance and will not involve removal of more than a reasonable amount of mineral deposit for analysis and study which generally might include searching for and occasionally removing small mineral samples or specimens, gold panning, metal detecting, non-motorized hand sluicing, using battery operated dry washers, and collecting of mineral specimens using hand tools; BLM Casual Use https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2011-title43-vol2/pdf/CFR-2011-title43-vol2-sec3809-5.pdf "§ 3809.5 How does BLM define certain terms used in this subpart? As used in this subpart, the term: Casual use means activities ordinarily resulting in no or negligible disturbance of the public lands or resources. For example— (1) Casual use generally includes the collection of geochemical, rock, soil, or mineral specimens using hand tools; hand panning; or non-motorized sluicing. It may include use of small portable suction dredges. It also generally includes use of metal detectors, gold spears and other battery-operated devices for sensing the presence of minerals, and hand and battery-operated drywashers. Operators may use motorized vehicles for casual use activities provided the use is consistent with the regulations governing such use (part 8340 of this title), off-road vehicle use designations contained in BLM land-use plans, and the terms of temporary closures ordered by BLM. Code of Federal Regulations / Title 43 - Public Lands: Interior / Vol. 2 / 2010-10-01780 (2) Casual use does not include use of mechanized earth-moving equipment, truck-mounted drilling equipment, motorized vehicles in areas when designated as closed to “off-road vehicles” as defined in § 8340.0-5 of this title, chemicals, or explosives. It also does not include “occupancy” as defined in § 3715.0-5 of this title or operations in areas where the cumulative effects of the activities result in more than negligible disturbance. Note that although the BLM mentions "may include use of small portable suction dredges" may is the key word and in fact all states now require a permit to run a suction dredge. While BLM may administer the land and not require notice for running a small dredge the water falls under other state and federal agency jusrisdiction. In general assume anything with a gasoline motor and that discharges water into a stream may be subject to some level of permitting.
    1 point
  41. Well mates, I have been giving my new thongs a go here to see if they will work to keep my feet from hurting on those pesky quartz rocks in WA... I stepped out of me camper last year and dam nigh crippled myself when i stepped right on a sharp stone....it came right thru the sole of the Kmart thongs! So while in Washington State earlier this year i got a grand idea.... went to the local cobbler to see if he could help.... what a prince of a fellow! He took some good thongs he had on display and added a great Vibram sole to them....i can't remember cost exactly, but it was less than 100 usd. I just have to be on alert from those nasty pick strikes and deflections....? on me tender toes.
    1 point
  42. First off if you go looking for reasons not to go metal detecting there will be plenty of people who will tell you no. The rules can be complicated and even kind of scary if you dig into them too much. I advise common sense. Anything marked as a historic site / historic park is almost bound to be a site where it is illegal to use a metal detector. If the idea is preserve and protect, stay away. That includes all National Parks in the U.S. It is illegal to even have a metal detector in your possession in many and illegal to detect in any of them. State Historic Parks? Stay out. Relic detecting on federal land puts you in automatic violation of the law as regards antiquities if the items are over 100 years old, and very often 50 years old is now a cutoff date around historic sites. Detecting for gold on federal land open to mineral entry (that is the critical factor that simply means open to claim staking) on the other hand is protected by law. So it is not just where you are but specifically what you are doing that matters. And on land open to claim staking figuring out what land is claimed and what is not is a challenge also. Local jurisdictions vary a great deal. One person leaving holes in a town park means that town may have made all metal detecting illegal in public spaces. This is a slow but seemingly inevitable process that almost never reverses, so we are losing ground every year. Most towns have no rules at all, but are just waiting for one idiot to ruin it for us all. Some towns have a free permit. Some a permit with a fee. My main protection? Stay invisible. I never hunt with groups in town and basically avoid viewers. I love rainy days, early mornings, whatever. And always leave no trace. People show up, I usually move away or leave. I never call anyone to ask permission in a new town. The person you will call usually knows nothing, and says no to be safe. I search online for local rules, and if I find them I abide by them. If not, I go do my thing and stay invisible. At worst a person may approach and say you are doing something wrong. I always immediately apologize and leave, even if I know I might be in the right. There are 1000 places to detect and I will not do anything to raise my profile, including arguing with people. The reality is however I have only been told a couple times in 40 years I was in the wrong place. Metal detecting is the wrong place is a pretty innocuous offense and getting anything more than a warning would be very unusual. If I am in a strange place and see a groundskeeper I always ask them. They are the ones caring for the place and so I give them respect for that and make sure I am doing things to their satisfaction. They always seem to appreciate it. No point in trying to compile rules here as there are sites just for that. Here is one.
    1 point
  43. Bethany, There is not a lot I can offer, that Chase has not already said. Two things that confuse me are, 1. you say you are getting very good depth with a coin buried in your test garden, and 2. you say you had good luck digging many silver coins with a Bounty Hunter 3300, but not with your Equinox. These two things seem confusing. While you may have "hot soil," and you sound pretty certain that you do, if you were digging silver coins in large numbers at 6" deep with your BH 3300, you should be easily able to equal that, at least, with your Equinox. YES, it's a more sensitive detector, and thus can be more "noisy," but you should be able to run your sensitivity down to a lower level (mid teens), and still equal or exceed the depth capability of your 3300 -- while at the same time, reducing falsing/noise that you are receiving. I would think that these "solid high tones" you are getting are chunks of iron -- and iron will, of course, often report as high tone several inches away (off to the side) from the actual location of the target. I suspect that you are hearing nails, etc., that are probably 3-4 inches offset from where you are digging your holes, and that's my guess as to why you are "digging to China" and not finding the target -- it's off to the SIDE of the hole, not deeper down into the hole. I would suggest this -- take a silver coin (or your penny) along with you, to one of those sites where you are struggling with high tones that seem to be "ghost" or "phantom" tones. Then, dig a hole IN THAT DIRT, and bury the coin about 8" deep. I suspect you will be able to detect this coin. If so, perhaps this will give you some confidence that even in these sites where you are getting high tones that you can't seem to locate when digging, you will still be able to hear a coin, if there's one there. Also, I'm curious what you mean, when you say "repeatable" tones. Do you mean "repeatable" when you swing left-to-right over a target? OR, do you mean "repeatable" as you rotate your body 360 degrees around the target, sweeping the coil over the target from ALL angles, and listening to how the target reports/changes as you rotate around it? One big "telltale" sign of iron, is a target that may "sound good" with left and right sweeps from ONE angle, but then the target's tone begins to sound degraded/poor (and often changes in location) when you turn your body 90 degrees and sweep over it. If you are rotating all the way around the target, while sweeping the coil over it, and you are STILL getting solid, consistent high tones, then there may be something else going on. But, I suspect that the soil issues you are mentioning are at least somewhat of a "red herring," right now, and that what you are mainly dealing with is ferrous trash, that is "falsing" -- giving you a high tone -- especially when running fairly high sensitivity... Not sure if this helps any, but that's what I suspect you are dealing with. If you are getting good depth in your test garden, and had no trouble digging silver with your Bounty Hunter, there is NO REASON that you can't accomplish the same with your Equinox (unless there is something wrong with the unit itself -- which I tend to doubt given the good results from your test garden). Steve
    1 point
  44. Holy ____! I'd be shaking if I found an 1918/17-S Standing Liberty. Not that it means anything, but that is my favorite 'error' coin of all time. Take a look at the VF-35 graded coin here. https://www.pcgs.com/photograde/#/SLQe/Grades It's an 8/7. Look at the weakness on the 'ER' of 'QUARTER DOLLAR'. That's likely a die weakness which helps authenticate your coin, not that there is much doubt with how strong the overdate is. I'm not going to try and grade this from your photos, but it's safe to say if you sell it you can buy any modern production MD short of the GPZ7000 (ok, probably not a GPX5000, either, but I'm not feeling sorry for you ?). BTW, in terms of rarity this probably isn't close to being up there with the 1850's and 1860's -S mintmarked quarters that have been shown here in the last few weeks. But in terms of value it's probably well above those. This is a good example of demand. Lots of collectors out there want an 18/17-S Standing Liberty. "Find of a lifetime" may be turning into a cliche'. But consider this -- you might be the only person ever to find one of these with a metal detector. I don't know what else I can say, except be proud and enjoy!
    1 point
  45. Jeez.. I've striked a 14k goldring again: This thing is so thin, it doesn't even weight 1g! Yet, it has got a very little stone in it. It came in at ID 2 - I still wonder, what made me dig it It was a short hunt on my hunted out local beach. Found some crusty clad, too: And one badge, probably a pilot's badge from WWII, but in bad condition.
    1 point
  46. This NOAA website Interagency Elevation Inventory shows where, and what kind of LIDAR the U.S. government agencies have available. There are links to the mapped data downloads. Most of the green areas on the map are only about 3 foot resolution so they may or may not be an improvement on the existing DEMs. Open Topography is another good source for free lidar data. It's more international in scope. The Tahoe Basin Lidar set is very high resolution as PG-Prospecting pointed out. It looks like there are several nice sets in New Zealand. You can directly download a selected area at this website. You will probably notice that the coasts have some pretty good LIDAR coverage and quality but the west has been pretty much left out of the feds LIDAR efforts. It's always a good idea to check your State's GIS office to see if they have different coverage.
    1 point
  47. some background.... January 22, 2014 Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) July 12, 2018 Just Discovered Lidar. Amazing Insight Into Old Sites.
    1 point
  48. I make them. The raw data is generally out there for free, but you have to have the right programs and knowledge to be able to turn the raw data into something useful. Took me about 2 years to figure it out and im still refining it and learning better ways to do things.
    1 point
  49. Barry, Thanks for your clarification. It is humbling to know that my 'common knowledge' and research is inadequate and incomplete in this matter. I'll have to look at more than Land Management and claims when I research open ground. Mitchel
    1 point
  50. This is disturbing to me Mitchel. I made that map and all it shows is who the land manager is and which sections have claims. The simple fact that the BLM is the land manager does not mean the land is open to prospecting or claim. I took the next step for you. I downloaded the Master Title Plat (MTP) for that Township with a click on the Land Status map. The MTP clearly shows that most of the the odd numbered Sections have restricted minerals - as in not yours. So no you can't just look at a simple map and say to yourself "hmmm no claims and it's BLM managed so I'm good to go". The reason this is disturbing to me is myself and others have spent a lot of personal time and money providing free tools and tutorials so the average prospector/researcher can know how to do their legally required Due Diligence before they put boots on the ground. The tools and information are now freely available. Abdicating your personal responsibility to know the land status before you prospect because I provided a map of claimed areas was not the intent of my work. Please don't use Land Matters as an excuse for criminal behavior. Ignorance is never a defense against a prosecution for mineral trespass or mineral theft. The talk here has been of "Claim Jumping". Claim Jumping is the act of trying to steal a mining claim with paperwork and lawyers. Taking minerals from a claim you don't have permission to prospect is highgrading - not Claim Jumping. Higrading in all cases involves the theft of minerals owned by someone else. Apples and Oranges. I get correspondence from a lot of claim owners complaining of higraders. This is not new to mining. Several studies of commercial placer mines have shown that higrading is the biggest threat to a profitable operation. Anyone that has worked for the larger mining companies know they spend a lot of time, money and hours ensuring their minerals are not stolen. Higrading is on every mining companies radar. I often hear excuses like "If the claim isn't marked it's OK to prospect" and the even more common "It's the claim owners responsibility to maintain signs". Neither is true, a few States require corners be checked on an annual basis but in point of fact most states have no legal requirement that claims must maintain markers. In several states corner markers are not required at all for some claims and monuments only have to be present at the time of location. Although as a practical matter the claim owner should do everything possible to put others on notice of the claim it is not the legal responsibility of the claim owner to use signs or markers to keep prospectors off their claim. Prospectors, unlike the general public, have a positive legal duty to know the mineral status of the land before entering to prospect. The claim owner put other prospectors on legal notice when they recorded their "Notice of Mining Claim Location" into the public record. That public record suffices as proper notice under the law even if there are no stakes at the mining claim location. The public record is open for inspection to all people. Potential prospectors need to examine the public record before entering the land to prospect. Land Matters provides links to all the County Recorders right on the Mining Claim maps to assist you in accomplishing that requirement. Where Land Matters could do better is in providing the subsurface mineral status of the lands. As you've seen above not all BLM managed land is open to prospecting or location. It's not just a matter of mineral withdrawals but more subtle issues like those odd numbered sections in parts of Rye Patch that were reconvened and were never open to location. There was no withdrawal there because there were no mineral rights to withdraw. Often those minerals have already been sold or leased. If you are found extracting minerals from these restricted lands the BLM will bring charges of criminal mineral theft. It happens quite often and is frequently prosecuted for something as simple as taking a pickup load of gravel or sand. Then there is the big mass of "dark matter" that is the subsurface estate still owned by the United States. There are nearly 7 million acres of mineral lands, often available for prospecting and location, underneath private lands in the west. Mining companies know this and have legally mined private lands for years. It requires a huge amount of research to determine just where these hidden mineral lands are found. The BLM is tasked with maintaining the records of this huge subsurface estate but between the BLM and mining companies the attitude seems to be "out of sight - out of mind". With very few exceptions these records are available but virtually unobtainable by the average researcher. Land Matters has plans to map these subsurface mineral rights but it's a huge project with little public interest beyond the landsmen and oil and gas industries. We need to see some real public interest before we will commit the resources needed to complete such a big project. Now to the tough part. Most of these complaints I receive of higraders are about metal detecting. Rarely do I hear of processing equipment being used. At least 9 out of 10 reports of higrading I receive are about metal detectorists taking the best and biggest gold. Several of you on this forum have been named by claim owners. I'm not the enforcement guy and I will not be calling you out in public but I do know. For small miners trying to protect their owned minerals from higrading the pointy finger is mostly about metal detectorists. I do know that few of you set out with the intent to detect someone's minerals. In most cases these violations are due to ignorance, intentional or otherwise. Assuming that signs are required or that unclaimed BLM managed land must be available for prospecting are just two examples. I have heard from many prospectors that the big mining companies (or someone who appears to be working for a mining company) allow prospectors to work their claims. I've never found a prospector who had a name, phone number or signed release but this seems to be one of those things "everyone knows". I can tell you that no mining company that has public shares could ever legally allow you to prospect their claims without a work contract. The simple fact that you haven't been caught or run off does not amount to permission. Please learn to do your own due diligence. Please respect mineral owners rights, those minerals are their private property under the law. With a little luck and hard work you could own a good deposit yourself. Barry
    1 point
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