Jim McCulloch

Well done, old son. Perhaps the finest and most informative article you've written to date. If I was still at "Treasure" magazine it would certainly get published. After 40 years of wearing out my knees digging the Most Happy Yellow Metal, I (k)need all the help I can get. HH Jim

Very probably, yes.

I have a very strong super magnet affixed to the end of my hoe, and once the target is in the cup, I swirl the magnet throughly through the dirt to remove the magnetic materials, magnetite etc., as well as sift the target to the bottom of the cup. This action significantly enhances the signal volume. But then again, removing more and more dirt has the same effect. My conclusion is that mineralization, soil mass, and target orientation all contribute to signal strength. However, I prefer it when a loud signal is indicative of a big nugget! 😏 Hope this helps. HH Jim

Whoo hoo Reese, nice cold gold.

Ger, please pass along my regards to Keith and Spud, if you kindly will. I wish I was with you guys.

After reading all of (what little) had been published at the time (1983), and spending several hours practicing in my backyard with my Garrett Groundhog A2B, my first piece of (really choice) high-grade ore came off a tailings pile in Dayton Nevada after 20 minutes detecting. Totally ruined my life...

Good for her! And she is wearing snakeguards, too, proof that you are a good father.

Nice pics gang, keep 'em coming!

Slade74, the White's Electronics "cargo pack" p/n 601-1254 measures 27" tall, 13" wide, and 6" deep, the latter 2 measurements are based on the dimensions of the solid bottom plate. It has zipper, full length shoulder straps, 2 12" wide side pockets, and top carrying strap. I have them in stock. PM me if interested. HH Jim

The Legend is an outstanding multi-purpose machine, but for nugget hunting I prefer the Garrett Goldmaster 24k fitted with the 6" concentric. Hope this helps; HH Jim

For decades the Gold Shows sponsored by the GPAA were the ultimate venue for persons interested in recreational gold mining. I had booths at a total of 136 Shows, sold lots of detectors, and made many friends, including many of you on this forum. Alas, the GPAA management has decided to discontinue the Shows. The end of an era...

Nordic, before taking him up on his offer, ask him why you will need a two quart can of pepper spray bear repellent in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Hint: how we differentiate the poop from bears eating either deer or eating humans is to smell it for the scent of pepper. If present, then we search around the immediate area for his detecting equipment...

Mike, if you get totally bored, check out the October 2018 issue. Photos were taken in Rattlesnake Canyon California.

Mitchell, your finds prove that gold is a Noble metal. Well done buddy!

I was just informed that "Western & Eastern Treasures" magazine has ceased operations, primarily due to competition from YouTube channels. My last article therein was my Field Test of the White's Goldmaster 24K, which appeared in the October 2018 issue. Bummer.