Hi All, I'm a new potential prospector in Northern California. I'd like to do some prospecting in streams in the El Dorado National Forest. The El Dorado County folks seem fairly reasonable in terms of encouraging recreational gold panning in the National Forest and in the County in general, but I'd rather sluice than pan. So, I'd appreciate an evaluation of my intended methods, and their legality under current California laws and regulations:
1) Recover sand and small gravel from creekbeds using a hand auger like the ones AMS makes (see below);
2) Run the sand and small gravel through a sluice placed in the creek, like the sluice below;
3) After sluicing in the creek, rinse the sluice mat contents into a bucket and take the bucket home.
So, in your opinion, is there anything illegal about my process? Would my methods require a permit?
Thank you for your time! I appreciate any and all answers. Jim_Alaska, I hope you will respond.
-Cord
