klunker

Rick; When my my knowledge, experience, skills and intuition are replaced by gizmoizm it will be time for me to leave gold mining to the "smart" people. Perhaps you might try dowsing. (No offense intended, I 'm just grumpy today)

Tom; Sounds like a normal day of prospecting to me. You might start your exploration of this area in your local library and museum and Recorders office. If there is any gold to be found there you should be able to find some history of it. Be careful and have a good time.

You won't damage your 3500 by having the coil selection switch in the wrong position. You might damage it by turning it on without a coil connected. There are a lot of success stories with the 3500. Best of luck to ya.

Scattered prospectors out there.

I hope for and wish them great success, but the cynic in me says there are some things in the report that don add up.

Mike; Saving money on any tool is expensive. The 705 is a lot of fun but is not even close to a good used GP Minelab with a couple of different coils for finding gold, Including small gold. Also, what "Minelab says" (or Garret or Fisher or Tessaro or Bounty Hunter.....) isn't nearly as reliable as what the folks on this forum have to say. What can you tell us about hunting in Sonora. I have a good friend living down there.

Calgeo; If you'r any where near my area (Plumas County) I would be glad to meet up so I could give you lots of misinformation and teach you some bad detecting habits. I just dug a very deep silver dime with a distinct down sound using a 16" coil and "normal" timing. Ya just never know till ya dig it up.

Shelton- you forgot to mention the mosquitoes. I have been told that in Alaska they are big enough to cut up and barbeque.

CG; What is the general area you would like to detect?

Adequate water for early historic mining was often a problem at the high elevations as the rainy season soon turned to snow and early season mining was often hindered by snow drifts so some areas didn't get thoroughly worked. look in the areas outside of the historic workings. work VERY SLOW in the pine needles.The pine needles do have one good effect in that they hold your coil off of the ground which will allow you to operate with unusually high gain settings. You will soon learn to hate tiny wire shards from wire rope(steel cable) used in logging operations. Please leave 4 out of 5 nuggets for us local boys. What model is your Minelab?

Welcome Shelton! Mines that had 30g/ton may likely have detectable gold in the waste rock piles. I would like to see some photos of mining in Poland if you can post them.

Moxford- I'll always laugh with you but never at you. Pick these guys brains until they can't stand it. It will save you hours of frustration.

Moxfod- I think he is just selling his knowledge and experience and not his soul. Maybe I'll find something with one of my Minelabs to complain about and see what happens. Congratulations Steve.

What needs to be done? Just find a place where there is larger gold and use a P.I. detector. Please don't misunderstand me -I'll take any gold I can find but for me it's all about accumulating as much gold weight with as little time (and effort) invested as possible. At times I will put on a 6" coil for cleaning out exposed bed rock and find unweighable specs and then question weather it was worth the time. I would like to see a detector that can be switched between VLF and PI. I've never been to Arizona. Would I need a Passport?

Am I wrong in theorizing numerous sources of ash and mud flows all down the sierras. Find me an unknown Tertiary Channel and maybe I can find your funding.

I have read bits and pieces of the book and I tend to agree with CR. I have my own theories that explain some of the nature of the channels in Plumas county but these theories are best debated where there is an available campfire and a bottle of beer. WARNING! This debate may involve brief discussions of theology.

And not be in California.

Looks like a half ton truck and well over a ton of gold. You might have a problem. Ive always wanted a round garage- no corners to collect junk in.

Ray is dead on -again. But if you find the magic-do -it-all detector let us know. For gold hunting you will inevitably end up with a PI detector with an assortment of coils. Water proof is not a issue with me as I, myself, am not water proof.

XP DEUS vs. 705 MINELAB A definitive shootout. 705 WINS!! I took Gld Brk to an old mining town site, he with his XP, me with my 705. I told him we were looking specifically for brass sardine can labels (he claims he doesn't remember me telling him) and all he found was a beautiful Barber dime and a very unique copper token. But I found a brass sardine can label I WIN! He seems to be taking his defeat well.

That's hilarious El D If they knew anything at all they would know about the Heath kit super searcher. Unquestionably the very best.

My arm isn't sore anymore so you and S.H. are back in my good graces. But you both need to understand that idiots like me need protecting from ourselves. giant coils defiantly have a useful place

You obviously bought the wrong piece of gold.

NOTICE TO ALL CONCERNED PARTIES! I, Klunker, am not speaking to S. Herschbach OR ddmk6. Steve is guilty of convincing me to try a huge coil and ddmk6 for loaning it to me. I would punch them both in the nose but my arm is too sore. It produced 1- 3dwt nugget out of very hammered ground. When I'm not so sore AND they apologize they will be back in my good graces.

Interesting. I have seen people get stupid over a few grains of gold so I can just imagine what a boat load would do.