Prospecting with Her Parents, GPAA Lifetime Members Jeff and Reb, Since She Was Just Three Months Old

Special Edition

VOLUME 25, ISSUE 5 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2013 Pretty in Pink Frog, toad listing met with GOP opposition Proposed ‘critical habitat’ would close 2.1M acres to mining and recreation

By SARAH REIJONEN For the GPAA

Frogs and toads were top billing at a forum hosted by two Republican California Congress- men Tom McClintock and Devin Nunes in Au- gust in Sonora, Calif. The yellow-legged INSIDE Photo by Jim Jeffrey frog and Yosemite toad Five-year-old Bella Baraglia sports a pink hat and water shoes to match her pink pan and scoop as she searches for gold in the almost snuck into en- Environmental San Gabriel River during an outing organized by American Prospector Treasure Seeker store in Temecula, Calif. Bella has been going dangered and threatened groups accused prospecting with her parents, GPAA Lifetime members Jeff and Reb, since she was just three months old. SEE STORY — Page 11 species listings, respec- of using sue and tively, but residents sur- settle tactics in rounding the land pro- land grab cases. posed for critical habitat See story, page 9 designation spoke up in Feds decree seven-state mining ban protest. The proposed listing would designate 1.1 million acres for the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged Public Land Order 7818 withdraws 303,900 acres from new mining claims frog; 221,498 acres for the northern district pop- By AUTUMN LOVELL face to small-scale mining and organi- energy needs top priority over mining ulation segment of the yellow-legged frog and For the GPAA zations including the Gold Prospectors interests. This drastic change in federal 750,926 acres for the Yosemite toad — a total of Association of America and other out- policy is a clear violation of the Min- 2.1 million acres, but after factoring overlapping Washington has withdrawn more door groups in the western states who ing Law of 1872. acreage, the area boils down to 1.8 million acres, than 300,000 acres from new mining have been fighting to keep these lands Public Land Order 7818, imple- according to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services Sacra- claims in seven states over the next 20 open. mented in July and available online in mento Office Spokesperson Robert Moler. years, the Pick & Shovel Gazette has This disturbing new trend in pub- the Federal Register, withdraws more “I expected strong opposition, because of all learned. lic land management has shifted land than 300,000 acres of public land in the feedback we’ve been getting from the dis- The move comes as a slap in the use priorities, or so it seems, to give * mining — Page 6 * frogs — Page 8 Dredgers pin hopes on May court case By BRAD JONES NEWS ANALYSIS GPAA Managing Editor About 75 gold prospectors gathered at a court The motion for a preliminary injunction filed by house in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., in late August Public Lands for the People to get California suction to show support for the small-scale mining commu- dredge miners back in the water has been denied. nity which has suffered under the statewide ban. The news does not sit well with tens of thou- Public Lands for the People filed the motion for sands of Gold Prospectors Association of America * DREDGERS — Page 2 members and small-scale mining community who Pat Keene, right, talks to a Public Lands for the People sup- have been fighting against the dredging moratorium porter outside the courthouse in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., since it was imposed in 2009. on Aug. 27. Video still by Chris Culp

IN THIS ISSUE: ■ Opinion and Letters �� 4-5 ■ State Director’s Report: Texas �� 13 ■ Mining Guide Updates �� 17 ■ Featured Claim...... 16 ■ GPAA Local Chapters Listing �� 25 www.goldprospectors.org ■ Upcoming Events �� 27 2 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013 DREDGERS: Court denies preliminary injunction to allow dredgers back in water Pick & Shovel Gazette Continued from Page 1 a preliminary injunction earlier this year when the California courts continued to Volume 25, Number 5 drag out the proceedings on six consoli- October/November 2013 dated lawsuits over the suction dredging ban. Judge Gilbert G. Ochoa has denied the preliminary injunction on the grounds that he did not find that miners have suffered irreparable harm from the statewide suction dredge mining ban imposed in 2009 under Senate Bill 670 and extended under Assembly Bill 120 and SB 1018.

The term “recreational” mining PLP President Jerry Hobbs was disap- Video still by Chris Culp pointed with the judge’s decision. PLP attorney David Young says California’s statewide ban on suction dredge mining is prohibition, “He found that the miners did not not a “moratorium” and violates the rights of gold prospectors and small-scale miners. suffer irreparable harm. If I had to guess why he felt the miners suffered no harm, NEWS ANALYSIS and OPINION it would be because about 80 percent of the miners that have been involved in Published by the this whole process consider themselves Gold Prospectors Association of America ‘recreational.’ No matter how much we have driven home to the public that they What went wrong? 43445 Business Park Drive, Suite 113 are not considered recreational, they still n short, the court failed to understand even the most basic concept Temecula, California 92590 maintain that they are,” Hobbs said. of mining: One first has to prospect and find a significant gold “Personally, I don’t feel there is such deposit before one can mine as a full-time occupation to support 1-800-551-9707 • (951) 699-4749 a thing as recreational mining simply I FAX (951) 699-4062 because if someone could show them oneself and one’s family. While GPAA members understand the dif- where they could pan an ounce of gold ference between prospecting and mining, apparently the California www.goldprospectors.org an hour, you could shoot dice on their courts do not. It shows just how far the Golden State has fallen away [email protected] shirttail as they are running to that spot. from its roots. A mining claim has rules as to what can Gov. Jerry Brown might want to help save California from its deep be done on a mining claim. Recreation is economic malaise. One way is to put suction dredge gold miners not on the list.” back in the water — yesterday! Hobbs and the rest of the prospectors Because the whole premise for the dredging ban is that dredging Founder and miners who attended the court hear- supposedly harms fish, you would think the government would have George Massie ing expressed their outrage at the treat- solid scientific data to back up this claim. It doesn’t. What’s worse is ment they have received at the hands of that our legislators have ignored evidence that shows dredging ben- the state, government agencies and Cali- CEO fornia courts. efits fish. Is it too much to ask that a proper independent scientific Tom Massie Though the preliminary injunction study be done on dredging? battle has been lost, the war over dredg- It’s utterly ironic that the state is considering spending millions of dollars to dredge mercury from Lake Combie, while dredgers re- President ing in California is far from over, Hobbs said. move mercury for free, recover gold to support their families — or at Brandon Johnson least supplement their incomes — and have fun doing it! What is so Moratorium or prohibition? bad about that? Suction dredge mining helps the environment and the Executive Director of Operations PLP attorney David Young, suggested economy. It should be embraced, not expelled. Dominic Ricci that not only have the California courts Height of hypocrisy: The Democrats claim the state can’t afford turned a blind eye to the setbacks min- to fund a dredging permit program while their federal counterparts ers have suffered under the dredging Executive Director of Development spends millions of your tax dollars to study things such as why ban, but they have failed to recognize the lesbians are fat: “Feds spend $1.5 million to study lesbian obesity” Kevin Hoagland statewide “moratorium” has dragged on for so long that it more aptly represents a — Washington Times, Tuesday, March 12, 2013. First came news of a $400,000 taxpayer-funded grant to Yale University to study duck Managing Editor permanent ban. “Let me tell you something, tempo- genitalia and then the feds doubled down with an $880,000 grant to Brad Jones rary moratoriums are a lot like tempo- the University of Iowa to study the sex habits of New Zealand snails. [email protected] rary taxes; they never seem to go away,” Just ducky! Young said “I don’t know of any tempo- Here’s a thought: Maybe we should encourage overweight lesbi- Graphic Designer rary tax that didn’t become a permanent ans to come out dredging for gold. It’s good exercise! Then, perhaps, Barbara Trageser tax and it’s the same thing now with this the snail researchers could study the procrastination habits of the moratorium. It’s a prohibition. It’s isn’t a slow-acting state courts. Just think, the state attorneys could spend Claims moratorium; it’s a regulation and that’s some time outdoors and get back in touch with reality and people like what we’re challenging.” Leonard Riley gold prospectors who built this Golden State. Young said there is no end in sight to [email protected] the “moratorium” as it is stands. BRAD JONES — GPAA Managing Editor “The way the statute banning suction Advertising dredge mining is written, there is no re- Janice Connolly alistic way of ending the prohibition on the environmental [regulations] that they in the outlying rural areas of California. 1-800-640-0814 suction dredge mining no matter what are trying to make us follow,” Keene It’s a big economic boost to them. They [email protected] the state says and no matter what the en- said. have been really suffering since 2009 vironmental groups say. And that’s what “I think it is going to continue to be when the dredging ban took effect.” we are challenging,” he said. “We’re a war. Hopefully the judge will allow us Trade Show Manager challenging that primarily on ... the prop- to get back in the water. That’s what he Adding insult to injury Gary Sturgill erty rights clause of the United States should do,” Keene said before the pre- Royal Foust, a GPAA member who at- [email protected] Constitution.” liminary injunction was denied. tended the court hearing, Aug. 27, said he left in disgust after listening to the state’s The dredging war continues The economic impact elitist attitude towards small-scale suction Expeditions Pat Keene, a small-scale mining Ron Kliewer, a longtime Lost Dutch- dredge miners. 1-888-446-5333 equipment manufacturer based in Cali- man’s Mining Association member and Foust said the state’s attorney put the fornia is fed up with the dredging ban, former PLP board member, attended the PLP attorney on the defensive by insinu- LDMA Administrator and has seen first hand the detrimental hearing, ating that all prospecting is “recreational” impact on his business and on the liveli- “They are making criminals out of all and that nobody should expect to earn a Sharina Davis hood of dredgers. us miners. Dredging is the only econom- living from gold mining. Before the court convened, Keene, ical means to extract gold from the bot- “He made light of it as if these people GPAA Chapters owner of Keene Engineering, said he tom of the rivers. There’s no other way to were never really serious,” Foust said. “I Louis Escarcega hoped that common sense would prevail do it that is safe for the environment and wasn’t at all surprised. I wish I could have [email protected] but that he expected the fight to contin- is economical for small-scale miners in testified to put that judge in his place. I got ue. one-, two- and three-man crews,” Kliew- * “There is no way we can meet all of er said. “It’s great for small communities dredgeRs — Page 3 October/November 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 3 Oregon bans motorized placer mining Miners protest Senate Bill 838, set sights on challenge in federal court

NEWS ANALYSIS

By BRAD JONES GPAA Managing Editor

Despite widespread opposition from miners, Oregon has passed anti-mining legislation that bans all motorized placer mining within 100 yards of virtually all gold-bearing waterways in the state until Jan. 2, 2021. Several hundred gold prospectors and miners rallied on the steps of the Oregon State Legislature in April in an attempt to thwart a raft of proposed anti-mining laws. Nevertheless, the Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 838 in July and Gov. John Kitzhaber signed it into law Aug. 14. Some of the regulations will take effect Jan. 2, 2014, and the statewide ban will take effect Jan. 2, 2016. SB 838 was introduced by the Committee on En- vironmental and Natural Resources chaired by Sen. Alan Bates, D-Medford, and co-chaired by Sen. Jackie Dingfelder, D-Portland. Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scap- poose, voted against the bill, while senators Fred Girod, R-Stayton, and Bruce Starr, R-Hillsboro, voted yes. No other senators crossed party lines. The bill passed the Senate July 3. In the House on July 7, Rep. Brad Witt, D-Clats- Photo by Mark Erikson kanie, crossed party lines and voted with the House Above: Disheartened Oregon miners protest anti-mining legislation on the steps of the Oregon State Legislature last spring in Republicans to oppose the bill while the remaining Salem. Below: Oregon miners protest SB 838 which places a statewide moratorium on motorized placer mining. The miners demon- Democrats voted to pass it. strated outside the medical practice of Oregon Sen. Alan Bates, D-Medford, in late August. Meanwhile, in late August about 10 miners, upset about the impending motorized placer mining ban, in areas that do not support populations of anadromous gathered outside the medical practice of Sen. Bates, a salmonids or natural reproducing populations of bull vocal proponent of the anti-mining legislation, to voice trout due to a naturally occurring or lawfully placed their outrage. physical barrier to fish passage.” The bill imposes fees, regulations and heavy fines for Section 1 of the bill states that: those who choose to disobey a “moratorium” on min- (1) Prospecting, small scale mining and recreational ing that uses “any form of motorized equipment for the mining are part of the unique heritage of the State of purpose of extracting gold, silver or any other precious Oregon. metal from placer deposits of the beds or banks of the (2) Prospecting, small scale mining and recreational waters of this state, as defined in ORS 196.800, or from mining provide economic benefits to the State of Oregon other placer deposits, that results in the removal or dis- and local communities and support tourism, small busi- turbance of streamside vegetation in a manner that may nesses and recreational opportunities, all of which are impact water quality. The moratorium applies up to the economic drivers in Oregon’s rural communities. line of ordinary high water, as defined in ORS 274.005, (3) Exploration of potential mine sites is necessary and 100 yards upland perpendicular to the line of ordi- to discover the minerals that underlie the surface and nary high water that is located above the lowest extent inherently involves natural resource disturbance. of the spawning habitat in any river and tributary there- The bill goes on to claim that motorized mining of in this state containing essential indigenous anadro- equipment in the beds and on the banks of the rivers mous salmonid habitat, as defined in ORS 196.810, or “can pose significant risks to fish and other wildlife, naturally reproducing populations of bull trout, except * Oregon — Page 7

statewide guidelines for eating fish from California’s lakes DREDGERS and reservoirs, including many in Northern California and WHAT YOU CAN DO Continued from Page 2 the Sierra. n Call your elected officials. If you don’t know who an embarrassed feeling like I was being put down. Prospect- “The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard they are, look online. They are easy to find and ing, to me, is no different than trying to develop a product to Assessment’s advisories are meant to help the public decide so are their email addresses, phone numbers and sell,” Foust said. “You don’t make any money at first.” what fish can be safely eaten — especially from hundreds of mailing addresses. Foust, whose grandparents were Depression-era gold min- lakes and for reservoirs that have not had fish consumption n Stay informed. Read the Pick & Shovel Gazette ers in the Mother Lode region of California, said he joined the advisories established. and share it with your friends and neighbors. GPAA two years ago to teach his children and grandchildren “Most bodies of water with fish-eating advisories — be- Check the website for up-to-date action alerts and breaking news. Faithfully renew your GPAA about their family heritage of gold prospecting. cause fish sampled there have high levels of methyl mercury membership, which includes your subscriptions “I got into this to teach my kids,” he said. — are found in northern California and the Gold Rush coun- to the Pick & Shovel Gazette, your best source try, as well as in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.” of small-scale mining news, and Gold Prospec- GPAA members encouraged tors magazine to get a new generation of people to fight suction dredging ban Consolidated court case involved in prospecting. The GPAA’s Executive Director of Operations Dominic slated for May 2014 n Join our facebook community at www.facebook. Ricci was on hand at the hearing to show support for mem- The next battle in the fight to end the dredging ban is com/GoldProspectors and our online forums: www. bers, PLP and everyone who has fought against the dredging slated for May 2014, when the court is expected to decide goldprospectors.org. ban. the fate of dredging in six consolidated dredging cases n Set an example. Be a responsible miner. Fill in “The GPAA has been trying very hard through its TV involving PLP, mining groups, several government agencies your holes, pick up trash left by others and pack out what you pack in. Be mindful of the wildlife and shows, publications and Gold & Treasure Expos to get the and environmental groups. respectful of Mother Nature. Teach your children message out to the public that gold prospecting is not a In the meantime, there will be several motions and the and grandchildren the same. crime; it’s a right,” Ricci said. “Dredging is not only benefi- acquisition of the complete record for all of the cases, Hobbs n Contact your local news media and tell them cial to fish and fish habitat, but it removes mercury and lead said. how miners are getting the shaft. Write a letter to (old lead shot and fishing weights) that have accumulated in “We were informed today that the record is several hun- the editor or respond respectfully to comments our rivers, streams and lakes.” dred thousand pages and is the largest record in the history posted on various newspaper and news media of California Fish and Wildlife. The cost of that record to forums. Be willing to go on the record or have the Environmental benefits the plaintiffs (miners) could be $100,000 or more,” he said. news reporter email Managing Editor/Communi- cations Director Brad Jones at content@goldpros- Since the dredging ban was first signed into law by “This is far more money than we could normally acquire, so pectors.org. Most often journalists will want to talk former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009, mercury has again if we want to stay in this case we have got to rely on to a local source or local prospector. now begun to pose a health risk, according to the California the miners and the clubs to help us raise the necessary funds. n Wear the GPAA “badge of honor.” Become a Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. By staying in this lawsuit and fighting, we do not know the Lifetime member and show others your commit- The Merced Sun Star reported in early August: “A state outcome yet, but we do know the outcome if we don’t fight ment to land rights. environmental health agency has issued its first-ever set of back.” June/July 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 5 Oregon lawmakers moonlight as amateur scientists By SEN. ALAN OLSEN with suction dredge equipment and SB or the environment. about things they do not understand so (R-Canby) 401 will declare 14,000 miles of Ore- The opponents of the bill, including that they can ban an activity they person- gon waterways as “scenic waterways.” scientists and members of the mining ally disapprove of. The five-year mora- My name is Alan Olsen and I am a I voted against community, provided countless exam- torium is a last-ditch effort by the bill’s member of the Oregon Senate, represent- both bills for ples of how the practice is environmen- proponents to allow science to catch up ing District 20. I am also Vice Chair of one simple tally sound and unobtrusive to streams with their personal beliefs. The bill calls the Senate Committee on Environment reason: Not and rivers. The proponents of the bill for a scientific study of the practice’s en- and Natural Resources. This will be the once during argued that their “gut instinct” is that vironmental impact to take place during third legislative session I have served on the many hours the practice must be bad and that Ore- the moratorium. this committee, and I am still consistent- of public tes- gon must ban the practice for five years In the meantime, we can say good- ly surprised by the type of policy that I timony was in order to determine if their instincts are bye to small-scale mining in Oregon. see moving through the committee. the committee correct. The majority of my colleagues Who needs science when you have the Recently, the committee voted on presented with on the committee must have the same gut Oregon Legislature? two bills to ban legally permitted small- Sen. Alan Olsen scientific evi- instinct because the bill passed. Alan Olsen (R-Canby) is a member of the scale mining operations on Oregon’s dence that the So, there you have it, Oregon. Your Oregon State Senate, representing District 20. waterways. SB 838 will impose a five- practice of small-scale suction dredge lawmakers have taken it upon them- http://www.oregonbusiness.com/blogs/124-opin- year moratorium on small-scale mining mining is damaging to fish populations selves to make scientific judgments ion/9909-oregon-mining-senator-alan-olsen A LeTTeRTO THeeDiTOR A MessAge to CAliforniA DepArtMent of fish & WilDlife 4 I want toPick & Shovel dredge Gazette thOctober/NovemberIs summer 2013 ! Dear editor, very hard rain? It is an impressive display of physics can no longer go recreate with their grandsons and and force at work to say the least. From my experience, sons and teach them about the river, the geology, the OpinionHere is a email that I wrote to Mark Stopher, the being on the river and gold prospecting, dredges would outdoors, the forest, and the history of the area. And senior policy advisor for the California Department of not even put out .001 percent of the turbidity that a find a little gold to make it all worthwhile? Fish and Wildlife regarding dredging in the state. I send winter storm causes. As long as a dredge is being used Man, I can’t wait to get my sluice back in the river Finding ita to you cure in hopes that you would consider it for publish- inside the flood path of a river, there is no permanent and I hope I can use my new dredge in California very ing and that it might encourage fellow gold enthusiasts damage to the river. In a year’s time, when the rain sea- soon. I just finished getting my dredge all tuned up and to get involved and take back some of our God-given son comes, all of the holes that were not backfilled are ready for this season! I would happily pay the state a for greenrights. fever! See you on the river. completely gone. reasonable, easy permit fee. Please help me. I really Matt Torian I think it comes down to personal responsibility and want to go dredging in my home state this summer. At what point did green fever spread from the GPAA Member education. Please do not over litigate our freedoms to Thank you for your time and consideration in this activist fringe to the U.S. Forest Service? When Long Beach, California enjoy the outdoors with our friends and families and matter. did Ranger Rick and Rachelle go from being the hosts of hinterland to bouncers of the backcountry enjoy our annual summer vacations by imposing rules, Matt Torian — and the self-appointed Mr.Planet Stopher: Police ? laws and ultimately full-out bans. You wonder why I can tell you that a good partI am of agreen avid fever gold beminer.- I hand dig approximately groups have brought forward lawsuits and it’s because Editor’s Note: The following is the response that gan in the early ’90s, thefour dawn to ofsix environmentaltimes a year out in Azusa Canyon. I recently they are so frustrated! Matt Torian received from Mark Stopher: extremism — the Earth Summit,bought a fearsfour-inch of global dredge and was really wanting to Lawmakers have stolen those people’s hobby ... Matt, warming (climate change),use ozone it in the depletion, Sierra-Nevada car- Mother Lode this summer. their happiness and caused them grief. The list goes on. Until either the legislature or San Bernardino Coun- bon footprints, urban sprawlRight and now,the adventit looks oflike my best bet is southern Ore- The government has negatively affected all those peo- ty Superior Court act to modify the moratorium, suction wildlifegon. corridors, But that theis a 10-hourKyoto drive one way! What are my ple’s lives. When I am working, all I think about is the dredging will be banned in California. As to whether this Protocolbest and options United for dredgingNations in California this summer? next time I can get away and hike out on the river and will happen, or in what form, I cannot make any reliable Agenda 21,My the other environmental comment -has to do with this buzz word enjoy the outdoors. Think of how many human beings prediction. ist blueprint“turbidity.” for the Have21st centuyou ever- seen a river after a rain? this ban has affected, how many general stores and mi- Mark Stopher ry. OneIt generation is cloudy later,for days we afterare a good rain — 100 percent cro-economies that were affected. How many dredges Senior Policy Advisor seeing turbidity.that “sustainable Have you devel seen- a river rise six feet during a are now in storage? How many grandpas and fathers opment” really means “envi- California Department of Fish and Wildlife ronmental sprawl” and intrusion Brad Jones into our daily lives, businesses and public lands. It pushes an agenda that says “people belong in the cities, not foru m the backcountry.” Agreed, some regulations and land management are necessary,FACEBOOK but how much is too much? When is common sense afflicted by the My favorite Gold Fever moment was ... green bug’s bite? Continued from Page 4 Anyway, here is my suggestedyour renewal cure and for you green had to makeA Facebooksure she got post the that pink asked “My fever: Replant some environmentalistsGPAA pan — anfrom awesome the prospectingfavorite episode tool, noof matterGold Fever was cities in the forests to seewhat just colorhow extremeit is. Gotta they git the ______”gold! generated an overwhelm- really are in the wild. I wouldChad say aMarmolejo: month or so ... youing start response. filing onHere’s claims what and you said: without anything that is namingmined —them no afterplastic your or kids. Brannon Estay: I like when you metal, guns, knives, stoves, fuel,Jean batteries,Kahler: ...water my four-year-oldgo and talk son and wants enjoy to time go with the containers, vehicles, tents andto the definitely river more no thanheaters, the park.little My people gold buddy who do ;) it because they air-conditioning or electronic Stephaniedevices should Moran: do it. ... you’relove panningit. That isin what your makes bath- the show great. How long would it be beforetub without our self-righteous a care of the clog you know it will create. urban campers started digging latrines, breaking Sean Brady: All New ones on Brett Beaudette: ... you send GPAA memberships branches, burning firewood, cutting trees down the website! ... to family and friends for Christmas presents. with Stone Age axes and killing plants, fish and Cara Signorelli: Panama City, other wildlife to feed and clotheWill themselves? T Molchan: Real ...- you re-panKia’s Slumberyour old Partycons whenand Metal De- you know you already got all the color out. um.” Here’s what you said: fish and cleans the waterways. We should be getting ity TV at its best! ’Nuff said. tecting in Australia! David Nash: Give ’em a “fish window,” like in paid for being out there doing all the good we do. Rick Beckner: ... you searchTom Facebook Larkins: all dayWhen for you went We’ve gone from Greenpeace filming the sense- Washington. At least it’s better than a total ban. Clint Warren: I ran a Keene 6-foot triple sluice less slaughter of seal pups otherin the gold late miners.’80s and ’90s underground with your two girls in Damon Holst: I want to know how a few individ- down on the Klamath for years till they put a stop to to saving the Delhi Sands fruit fly,kangaroo rat, yel- the mine with the big bolder in the Photo by Adam Carr uals can depictKael, Kiawhat and happens Tom Massie. to a whole community. that. Sold it to someone in Alaska. Tried using it in Or- low-legged frog, Yosemite toad and more thanOregon 3,000 entrance woes tunnel ... I sure wish Gold other so-called “endangered” plantReaders and respondedanimal spe -to a FacebookFever was post on Comcast from www. Demand andRon Hawkins:Mycal HowW Berkey: can you determineWhen you the effectsgreat grandfather egon and was all onhell the broke show. loose! Gold made this country cies. In some places, it has oregonlive.com,almost become a“Southern “crime OregonNetFlix. miners file injunc- of dredgingshowed if there up is in no New dredging Mexico. allowed? Mark andWright: now they Seeing take ita awayone- from us ... how soon we for- against nature” to step off thetion path, to stop place legislation a gold pan on motorizedJoe Wilson: mining moratoriWhen Tom- foundJohn Hammer:Bob Wintle: The fact The is episodethat dredging when helpspound the nugget.get! in the water or even take photographs. Parking rules, gold! Tom went to the grave of his dad. Kevin Moore: Panning with my fees and “Adventure Passes” have hindered many Dan Montesanti: When I found Sean Christopher Glasby: sons, watching a cow elk feeding from heading outdoors. In the meantime, the feds the show ... that was when I decided When Kia got mad about having a her calf. continue to tout America’s Great Outdoors Initia- to start prospecting. It helps that I tick on her and walked away on her Nick Garza: The one that start- live in northern California, too! One own. ed my madness! The episode where tive to “reconnect” usPNS_JUN_JUL_2013.indd with nature. The wilderness5 is 5/16/13 8:42 AM becoming a look-but-don’t-touch open-air museum of my favorite ones is the Buzzard Jimmy Mecannic: Boo Coo Tom and Cindy are underground run by environmentalists with public lands as gov- on the old bucket-line dredge he Bonnie Bollens: When Tom, his and the lantern busts and they have ernment-run theme parks. brought back to life. I would love to wife and kids sat by a campfire and to find their way out in the dark! It has gotten so ridiculous that some Forest Ser- see more of that footage. talked about their adventures of the Ouch! I had woke up early one Sat- vice rangers apparently now consider it their sworn David Dennis: When Tom and past year. urday morning on the couch with duty to save Mother Nature from the barbarian Kia got into the dredging match and Richard Schorr: When Tom the TV still on the Outdoor Chan- hordes of fish-murderin’, frog-stompin’, knuck- neither wanted to be the first out of and Kael went on that trip in Idaho, nel from watching fishing/hunting le-draggin’ gold prospectors. Take the recent case the water. and he told stories about bigfoot, * FACEBOOK forum — Page 5 of two U.S. Forest Service rangers who alleged- Brian Olson: The one when Tom ol’ man Brazington and such. They ly ran a couple of GPAA members off one of our and his wife were deep in a cave and found some nice gold just sluicing! mining claims California. The incident occurred Tom broke the lantern and had no Kathy Croft: Cindy dredging! What’s not without provocation other than at least one of the backup. The other is when he found Tom Burt Kingery: Costa Rica. rangers didn’t like the idea of a miner taking a hand old dynamite in a cave again with Roley Kiser: When the bird flew to Like? shovel and blemishing the face of Mother Earth. his wife. out of the mine shaft. Luckily, the prospectors had a Public Lands for the Joanna Genevieve Murakami: Arthur Wright: When Tom People challenge card and documented the rangers’ The abandoned government cave slipped going over the log and land- names and badge numbers. Far too often, Forest thing ... with the amazing vein of ed on his butt. Service rangers are either unaware of mining laws gold ... Oh my GOD ... lol Brian Arment: All of them! or simply skirt them. Ignorance of the law is no Tc Conroy: Meeting the Massie Steve Douros: Tom, Kia and the excuse — especially for rangers. Intimidating and family at the gold show here in Massie family are real. The Buz- The Gold Prospectors Association harassing metal detectorists and gold prospectors Maine. (And the GPAA crew that zard was real. The show is real. The of America invites you to “like” under the color of the law is illegal, and according came along). Kia forged the missing Massies teach how to do recreation- our Facebook fan pages. Check to PLP President Jerry Hobbs, “they do it almost family members names and the sur- al prospecting, which is what most out the GPAA. Gold Fever and daily.” Forest Service rangers have no authority prised look on Tom’s face when he of us do. Spending time with friends Alaskan Facebook pages at: to boot GPAA members off our claims. It is your signed his name and signature Pick and family … “finding the gold.” www.facebook.com/ right to ask them to cite the law you are allegedly & Shovel picture and asked me how … The other gold shows are Holly- GoldProspectors breaking. Be polite and remain calm. Then, inform I got the other two signatures. The wood versions of “having the gold” www.facebook.com./ the GPAA Claims Department and PLP. Remem- show is great! More gold and pros- — a bunch of whining, complain- GoldFeverTV ber, public lands are “public”; they belong to you pecting shows (Discovery and TWC ing, arguing grown men. Thumbs www.facebook.com/ — not Mother Nature or any of her self-appointed are still in your footsteps). How high for Gold Fever! AlaskanThe Series minions. about giving Kia and Kael a show? Kyle Featherston: When my — BRAD JONES, Managing Editor October/November 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 5

opinion

June/JulyStory 2013 on miningPick & protestShovel Gazette full of holes5 Response to an article Oregonpublished in Oregon’s lawmakers moonlight as amateur scientists ByMedford SEN. ALAN OLSENMail-Tribune with suction dredge equipment and SB or the environment. about things they do not understand so (R-Canby) 401 will declare 14,000 miles of Ore- The opponents of the bill, including that they can ban an activity they person- By TOM KITCHAR gon waterways as “scenic waterways.” scientists and members of the mining ally disapprove of. The five-year mora- LetterMy to Mailname Tribune is Alan Olsen and I am a I voted against community, provided countless exam- torium is a last-ditch effort by the bill’s member of the Oregon Senate, represent- both bills for ples of how the practice is environmen- proponents to allow science to catch up ingThe District following 20. I isam a responsealso Vice to Chair a news of one simple tally sound and unobtrusive to streams with their personal beliefs. The bill calls thestory, Senate “Bates’ Committee office protested on Environment over min- reason: Not and rivers. The proponents of the bill for a scientific study of the practice’s en- anding regulation”Natural Resources. by Sam ThisWheeler will bewhich the once during argued that their “gut instinct” is that vironmental impact to take place during thirdwas publishedlegislative in session the Medford I have servedMail Tri on- the many hours the practice must be bad and that Ore- the moratorium. thisbune committee, Aug. 31. The and letter,I am still sent consistent by email,- of public tes- gon must ban the practice for five years In the meantime, we can say good- lyreads surprised as follows: by the type of policy that I timony was in order to determine if their instincts are bye to small-scale mining in Oregon. seeHi moving Sam, through the committee. the committee correct. The majority of my colleagues Who needs science when you have the I Recently,was unable the to committee attend the votedprotest onat presented with on the committee must have the same gut Oregon Legislature? Bate’s office Friday ... and I just saw a two bills to ban legally permitted small- Sen. Alan Olsen scientific evi- instinct because the bill passed. Alan Olsen (R-Canby) is a member of the copy of your article on SB 838. scale mining operations on Oregon’s dence that the So, there you have it, Oregon. Your Oregon State Senate, representing District 20. waterways.My name SBis Tom 838 Kitchar, will impose and I aam five- the practice of small-scale suction dredge lawmakers have taken it upon them- http://www.oregonbusiness.com/blogs/124-opin- yearPresident moratorium of the Waldoon small-scale Mining Districtmining mining is damaging to fish populations selves to make scientific judgments ion/9909-oregon-mining-senator-alan-olsen (WMD) located around Cave Junction. The WMD is Oregon’s oldest mining district, established April 1, 1852. I was heavily involved with SB 838 all through the spring and up until the final vote. I made over a dozen trips to Sa- lem, and testified to several committees TO THe Photo by Mark Erickson A... and was, forLe the most part, completelyTT Waldo Mininge DistrictR President Tom Kitchar addresses a crowd of more than 300 minerseD outside the Oregoni StateTOR Legislature in Salem last spring. ignored. I made numerous attempts to meet Oregon. property” in the highest sense. Mining sludge to wash away down river in plac- with Sen. Alan Bates,ess anyA time,ge anyto THEREA liforniIS NO HUGE INCREASEA ep claimsArt canM be entlocated onof any publicish does, burying fishil habitatDlife 10 or more feet place ... heA never M responded. OF DREDGERS!C D main lands and once located, accordingf deep& in sludge?W Bates’ bill is nothing short of a witch Now let’s look at what the fishing in- to Congress, those lands are no longer Suction dredge mining adds nothing hunt. dustry had to say ... They claim dredg- considered “public.” The 1872 Mining to the water. Besides gold, we remove You have been fed a line of crap. Let’s ing is bad for the fish/environment. This Law is a grant to the citizens of the min- lead, mercury and any other heavy met- startI with want the numbers of permits. Bates’ to from people dredgewhose income comes from erals found onth the public I(federal)s lands,summer als — all at no cost to the taxpayer. Stud!- Dearclaim e thatditor, SB 838 is necessary due to a deliberately goingvery hardout rain?and killing It is an or impressive and it includes display theof physics“right” to canmine no them. longer ies go have recreate shown with that theirfor years grandsons after dredg and- huge increase in the number of suction maiming fish!and forceNot onlyat work that, to say but the they least.Without From just my compensation,experience, sons there and is teacha ing them these about areas the sometimes river, the offer geology, the only the dredgeHere miners is a email in the thatlast fewI wrote years. to TheyMark Stopher,also get the to throwbeing leadon the (a river toxic and metal) gold prospecting,huge “taking.” dredges would outdoors, the forest,suitable and spawning the history beds offor the fish. area. And seniorclaim policya jump advisorfrom approximately for the California 700 to Department into our waters!of not And even guess put outwhat? .001 Suc percent- Theof the courts turbidity have that consistently a find a ruledlittle gold toI couldmake itgo all on worthwhile? and on, but I do not Fish800 andpermits Wildlife issued regarding in 2009 dredging has jumped in the state.tion dredge I send minerswinter are storm the only causes. ones As who long thatas a statesdredge and is being other used local governmentMan, I can’t know wait you. to get Who my knows, sluice backyou mayin the be river one itto to just you over in hopes 2,000 that or so you last would year. consider it forremove publish this- leadinside ... atthe the flood tune pathof 100’s of a river,CANNOT there is prohibit no permanent mining andon Ifederal hope I canof usethose my wacko new dredge so-called in Californiaenvironmental very- ingWhat and that they it aren’tmight tellingencourage you isfellow that allgold ofenthusiasts pounds every damage year, toat the no river.cost Into athe year’s lands. time, when the rain sea- soon. I just finishedists who getting won’t mylisten dredge to our all sidetuned anyway. up and tothrough get involved the 1980s and and take ’90s, back and some up until of our public.God-given son comes, all of the holes that Andwere let’snot backfilledlook at the science.are ready Over for the this season!None Iof would this is happily new ... paydredge the miningstate a rights.2005, DEQSee you was on issuing the river. nearly 2,000 per- You mentioncompletely a five-year gone. moratorium, last 30-plus years, there havereasonable, been sev- easyhas permitbeen under fee. Pleaseconstant help attack me. since I really the mits annually (1986 of them in 2004-05 Mattbut mistakenlyTorian sayI thinkthat the it comes moratorium down to personaleral dozen responsibility scientific studiesand wantdone to on go the dredging 1990s. in my home state this summer. up to July 05). The number of permitsGPAA only Member becomeseducation. active is Pleasecertain dostudies not over effects litigate of oursuction freedoms dredge to mining.Thank And, you forIf your you wouldtime and care consideration to learn more, in feelthis dropped after July 2005 becauseLong we Beach, re- andCalifornia permit are enjoynot in theplace outdoors by 2016. with This our guess friends what? and familiesNot one andstudy matter.to date has free to contact me. Have a nice day. alized the permit was illegal! We took is a mistake. This was language in an ear- shown a even remotely significant harm, By the way, you quoted Bates’ reac- enjoy our annual summer vacations by imposing rules, Matt Torian DEQ to court, and the permit was de- lier version of the bill. As passed, the and yet, several studies identified real tion to the protest as an “overreaction.” Mr. Stopher: laws and ultimately full-out bans. You wonder why clared invalid in Dec. 2009 by the Ore- “A-10” amended bill calls for an auto- beneficial effects on fish and the aquatic [on the part of the miners]. “We’re not I am a avid gold miner. I hand dig approximately groups have brought forward lawsuits and it’s because Editor’s Note: The following is the response that gon Court of Appeals. A new permit was matic moratorium for five years regard- habitat. out to hammer people ...” [Bates said.] four to six times a year out in Azusa Canyon. I recently they are so frustrated! Matt Torian received from Mark Stopher: issued in July of 2010, and is currently less of any study or new permit. We tried to show this to the legisla- BS! No, he’s just destroying the lives Matt, boughtbeing challenged a four-inch again dredge as it and contains was reallythe wantingOf most to importanceLawmakers is the totalhave disre stolen- tors;those they people’s basically hobby told ... us, ‘We don’t of thousands of Oregonians and the liv- Until either the legislature or San Bernardino Coun- usesame it infatal the flaw Sierra-Nevada as the old permit.Mother Lode thisgard summer. of the U.S.their Mining happiness Law. andThe caused state themcare grief. about The the listscience.’ goes on. ing heritage of the miners who first set- ty Superior Court act to modify the moratorium, suction AllRight that now, is happeningit looks like is my the best number bet is southernhas left Ore itself- openThe governmentto potentially has billions negatively “Ofaffected course all dredging those peo is- harmful to fish tled southwest Oregon. He’s lucky all dredging will be banned in California. As to whether this gon.of permits But that is returningis a 10-hour to pre-2005 drive one num way!- Whatof dollars are my in “takings”ple’s lives. lawsuits! When I am working,...” all Oh I really?think about Ask yourself:is the If dirty wa- he’s seen so far is a small protest. This will happen, or in what form, I cannot make any reliable bestbers. options (And yes, for dredginga few people in California from Cal this- summer?SB 838 doesnext not time exempt I can miningget away on and ter hike killed out fish,on the then river why and don’t they all die will get ugly before it is over. prediction. iforniaMy haveother comecomment to Oregon has to todo dredgewith this lands buzz ofword the Unitedenjoy Statesthe outdoors. open to Think min- of inhow the many winter? human beings “turbidity.”due to the illegal Have ban you in everCalifornia seen a... river just aftering undera rain? the 1872this ban Mining has affected,Law. how manyWhy general was stores it OK and to mi remove- Savage Tom Kitchar is the President of the Waldo Mining Mark Stopher Itas is many cloudy Oregonians for days afterthat useda good to raingo to — 100Under percent both cro-economies state and federal that were law, affected. Rapids How and manyGold dredgesRay dams, allowing District in Oregon. He can be reached at mythi- Senior Policy Advisor turbidity.California Have to mine you seenare nowa river staying rise sixin feetunpatented during a miningare now claims in storage? are How“real manyhundreds grandpas of thousands and fathers of cubic yards of [email protected] California Department of Fish and Wildlife foru m FACEBOOKContinued from Page 4 ry of mineral mining. Chisel and Plane Workshop: Work- gold show. Steve Schauls: Deb Newsome Jackson: Continued from Page 4 Having both my sons ing in the culvert in the cold water of When you shows the night before. There was this on the dredge. Alaska. There’s a tip! Love all the shows found the little “old” scale and the lit- guyyour with renewal a metal and detectoryou had toand make he said sure he she gotBrett the pink Beaudette: Several but the ... Like the little skits, too. tle metal box with gold in it in the cave. wasGPAA looking pan — for an gold, awesome so I perkedprospecting up to tool, sleep no matterover in the cave with Kia and Tom Steve Stewart: Any mine episode. Also, when you found all the surplus checkwhat color it out. it is. He Gotta was git finding the gold! gold nug- finds the scale, nugget and Chinese coins Lea Nancy E Hall: I also like the cul- supplies! Don’t eat those crackers! getsChad when Marmolejo:he busted the ... lantern you start and filing the onstashed claims inand the rocks! When Tom comes vert dredging in Alaska. I wondered why Ashley D Lake: “The Return to Stan- waynaming his themwife wasafter berating your kids. him I knew it out of the cave in the Mother Lode ep- Tom didn’t set up a sluice on the end of islaus,” when you do the clean out and wasn’tJean a fakeKahler: or staged ... my accident!four-year-old I was son wantsisode OK!to go Man, I was worried the mud the culvert and take a broom to the rif- any one Kia is on. She’s my fave, even crackingto the river up more on the than couch the park. and Myjust gold had buddywas ;)gonna overload the big guy. The fles in the culvert. Also, any time Tom though, Tom, you are super funny you to knowStephanie what thisMoran: crazy ... show you’re was, panning so I inlook your of bath relief- and lesson learned when he explains how to read a river or the lay of make me feel like I’m just part of your startedtub without recording a care them of the and clog then you I gotknow bit it willsees create. his wife was pure elation of being the land. family. Thanks for giving me that gold by theBrett gold Beaudette: bug! ... you send GPAA membershipsthankfully alive. Gold Fever rocks! Linda Webb: All of them, especially fever. I hope some day we can meet and Emily Hughes: Jonathan E Lamb: to family and friends All for ofChristmas them! Enjoy presents. I really liked the one about his cute puppy and when do a little mining together, which I know seeingWill Cindy T Molchan: on the show, ... you too. re-pan your oldwatching cons when him find nuggets around Skull he visited his dad. is just a crazy dream, but I can always Melody Ivey: All of them. The histo- Valley, Ariz. John Jenkins: ... meeting Tom at a dream! you know you already got all the color out. um.” Here’s what you said: fish and cleans the waterways. We should be getting Rick Beckner: ... you search Facebook all day for David Nash: Give ’em a “fish window,” like in paid for being out there doing all the good we do. other gold miners. Washington. At least it’s better than a total ban. Clint Warren: I ran a Keene 6-foot triple sluice Damon Holst: I want to know how a few individ- down on the Klamath for years till they put a stop to Oregon woes uals can depict what happens to a whole community. that. Sold it to someone in Alaska. Tried using it in Or- Readers responded to a Facebook post from www. Ron Hawkins: How can you determine the effects egon and all hell broke loose! Gold made this country oregonlive.com, “Southern Oregon miners file injunc- of dredging if there is no dredging allowed? and now they take it away from us ... how soon we for- tion to stop legislation on motorized mining moratori- John Hammer: The fact is that dredging helps the get!

PNS_JUN_JUL_2013.indd 5 5/16/13 8:42 AM 6 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013

withdrawn land there, according to local reports by Ladd Not only does PLO 7818 prevent any new mining MINING Egan of KUTV. claims, but it creates vicious loopholes that make it dif- Continued from Page 1 While “creating clean energy” may sound like a noble ficult — if not impossible — for claims that have been Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and cause, the impact on small-scale min- grandfathered in to ever be actively prospected, Hobbs Utah from new mining claims for the next 20 years. In ing and other outdoors uses is devas- said. addition to stopping all new permits, this withdrawal will tating. “Those (claims) that were there won’t be able to be restrict mining claims in multiple regions in an effort to Hobbs said that PLO 7818 is just mined without a mining plan,” he said. create Solar Energy Zones in regions that have been sur- another land grab. The mining plan is a process filled with hurdles and veyed and identified by the federal government as prime “Land is locked up one part at a financial barriers, essentially trampling all over mining areas for utility-scale solar development. time,” he said. “Patience is their game rights and grandfather clauses prior to the current PLO. Withdrawal from mineral entry has been used in the ... until it’s too late to do anything.” The regions withdrawn to create the SEZs are large past to create national parks and military bases, but this This withdrawal is another step in Jerry Hobbs tracts of land and somewhat diverse. An interactive map is the first time a withdrawal is being implemented to en- a dangerous direction for those who is available at: www.solareis.anl.gov/sez courage green energy development. This order, created by want to keep public lands public. The erosion of outdoor Although there have been some government sponsored Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, sets the pace for the surveys of these regions, many have been unexplored, Obama administration’s energy and land use policy for Hobbs said, so it is hard to determine the value of this loss the next few years. to the mining community and our country. The Obama administration has committed to clean en- We urge all outdoors Ironically, the now restricted regions may even have ergy, and Bureau of Land Management Principal Deputy groups to stand with us and some of the rare metals needed to build the solar panels Director Neil Kornze recently stated in a news release that that are going into the SEZs and only increase American “The Public Land Order protects the integrity of the Solar get more vocal until our reliance on imported metals. Energy Zones and helps us meet President Obama’s goal PLP and the GPAA have been fighting to keep public of green-lighting enough public lands to power more than voices are heard. Stay in- lands open to the public, including future generations of 6 million homes by 2020.” gold prospectors and outdoor enthusiasts. The Interior Department currently estimates that proj- formed on the issues affect- “We are counting on this generation to fight the good ects developed in the new SEZs could power 1.8 million ing you and your access to fight and protect a way of life that is priceless to us all,” homes, if they are successfully implemented. Hobbs said. “If you don’t help your neighbor when his President Barack Obama has promised to streamline public lands and hold your house catches fire, there will be nobody there to help the process for solar development in SEZs, however there when it happens to you.” are still several barriers between the implementation of elected representatives re- The GPAA is urging its members to support the PLP PLO 7818 and the actual creation of energy generating and other land rights groups. utility-sized solar projects, according to the land rights sponsible for their decisions “We encourage everyone, whether they are members group, Public Lands for the People. and policies. And, most im- or not, to pay attention to the loss of public lands and start All of the solar plants will have to pass through a vig- taking these endless land grabs and restrictions as an as- orous environmental assessment which will culminate in portantly ... send a strong sault on their liberty,” said GPAA Managing Editor/Com- an Environmental Impact Statement, showing that plac- munications Director Brad Jones. ing solar farms in these regions will not harm any critical message to the White House “We urge all outdoors groups to stand with us and get ecosystems or species, said PLP President Jerry Hobbs. more vocal until our voices are heard,” Jones said. “Stay The projects themselves will require new right-of- that you want your land and informed on the issues affecting you and your access to ways and, in addition to generating electricity, the com- your freedom back. public lands and hold your elected representatives respon- panies will also have to build an infrastructure which can sible for their decisions and policies. And, most impor- transmit the new electricity to nearby communities. The areas for public use is becoming a threat to prospectors tantly, maintain your membership in the GPAA and send process will be long and arduous and, in the meantime, and all outdoors enthusiasts. a strong message to the White House that you want your the land will remain closed, he said. Public lands only exist in the western United States. land and your freedom back.” This process will be the same in all of the SEZs. Utility There is no public land east of the Mississippi. companies in least one state, Utah, have already identified “It’s all government and private owned,” Hobbs point- Autumn Lovell is a freelance writer based Oregon. She can be some of these problems in approximately 18,000 acres of ed out. reached at [email protected]

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OREGON Kitchar said he is disappointed in the Continued from Page 3 callous disregard Bates has shown toward miners and said has reached out to the Starting at the bottom riparian areas, water quality, the invest- senator many times to listen to his con- ments of this state in habitat enhance- cerns and address any questions he may never felt so good. ment and areas of cultural significance have about the mining industry in Oregon. With overburden cutting teeth and a special lip to hold to Indian tribes.” So far, his calls have gone unanswered your material, you’re now able to get down to the gold Galice Mining District spokesman “I’m sure he talked to environmental- concentrated depths of any creek. This patent pending design offers one of your best non-motorized Kerby Jackson said the new law is ists; I’m sure he talked to people who hate opportunities at recovering large quantities of gold – far-reaching and will not only ban dredg- mining, but he never bothered to talk to sitting right on the bedrock. ing, but highbanking, power sluicing and people who mine,” Kitchar said. To order, call or go online today – shipping within the even some compact gold processors. “It really sounds like he is trying to stop USA is included. “If you own a 20-acre placer claim, mining in the Rogue River,” he added. they are not going to let you use motor- With one of the highest unemployment (417) 818-2503 thepricecollection.com ized mining equipment within 300 feet rates in the country, Oregon doesn’t need on either side of each one of these water- to put more nails in the coffins of primary ways.” industries such as of timber and mining, THE BOTTOM DIGGER THE POOR MANS BACKHOE The essential salmon habitat listed and Kitchar said. the tributaries to those waterways virtual- As far as the blow to the small-scale WATCH THE VIDEO AT ly covers every strream in the state, Jack- mining including equipment manufactur- thepricecollection.com son said. ers and small prospecting supply stores, “So, if you figure it out, that’s 600 feet Kitchar expect the fallout to be worse than plus the waterway. Your average placer that which followed the suction dredge claim is only 660 feet wide, so ... 89.5 per- ban in California. cent of your claim is what it comes down “You are never going to stop every- to.” body from mining. Some of us are remote Though Jackson is a primarily a lode enough or don’t give a damn or don’t miner, he fears that state agency officials have enough to lose,” he said. “But it will will mistakenly view his operation as cripple the industry greatly.” placer mining. Jackson said he intends to continue “They’re not trained to know the dif- shifting the pressure and negative atten- ference,” he said. tion he receives from frustrated miners to Referring to the statewide ban on suc- Bates. tion dredge mining in California, Jackson Besides litigation, Jackson said Ore- said the Oregon ban is even more devas- gon miners need to educate the public and tating to miners. demonstrate that dredging does not harm “What they’ve done here is way worse fish or fish habitat and publish scientific than anything they did in California. At studies that prove it is beneficial for salm- least in California, they specified suction on spawning. dredge mining and not all motorized min- “The other thing we need to educate ing.” people about is there really is an agenda” Waldo Mining District President Tom he said. Kitchar echoed Jackson’s sentiments. Jackson suggested that the politicians “They could have just banned min- in Oregon are in bed with the environ- ing on state land, but now they’ve hit us mentalist movement’s green agenda and with this atomic bomb and even banned that the two entities are one and the same. [motorized placer] mining on federal land “We have the fishing outfitters just where we have a congressionally granted beating up on us and they have teamed up right to mine,” Kitchar said. “The envi- with the environmentalists,” he said. ronmentalists don’t have any clue as to Jackson said that miners first need to what the word ‘right’ means anymore or reach out to fishermen and explain the sci- they understand and they just don’t give ence of dredging, show that it can actually a damn.” benefit fish and work together against the In the meantime, Kitchar and Jackson green extreme. and other mining groups have begun to Jackson is convinced that if the fisher- rally for support to continue the fight to men don’t help support the miners, that save their passion, livelihoods and way of they and other outdoors groups such as life. rafters, off-roaders and hunters will be- Jackson has urged the federal agencies, come the next target. including the Bureau of Land Manage- “They’ll be next,” he said. “My mes- ment in Washington, D.C., to step up to sage to fishermen is that they are basically the plate and tell the state legislators that being used as a club to beat on the miners it is up to the feds to manage mining on and once we’re re gone, the environmen- public lands — not the state. talists are just going to come after them.” “We’re trying to see if the BLM in Washington has any interest in protecting Brad Jones is Managing Editor/Communica- our rights,” Kitchar said. tions Director for the Gold Prospectors Associa- “Another option we are exploring now tion of America. He can be reached at bjones@ is filing suit in federal court,” he said. goldprospectors.org 8 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013

FROGS Continued from Page 1 trict, but the overwhelming nature came as a surprise,” McClintock said. “There were over 400 people in that packed hall, 2 million-acre and when I asked for a standing vote of how many supported the plan, 11 people withdrawal stood up. That tells you a lot right there.” U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services pub- proposed lished the proposal to list these two species April 25 and allowed a 60-day com- for critical ment period, but McClintock along with seven other Republican Representatives habitat Doc Hastings, Kevin McCarthy, Devin Nunes, Cynthia Lummis, David Valad- in the Sierra ao, Doug LaMalfa and Rob Bishop submitted a letter on June 19 requesting an extension of the comment period. They were allotted a 120-day extension ending in November. The letter submitted to Judge Daniel M. Ashe, Director of Fish & Wildlife Proposed critical habitat by category Services expressed concern that “criti- (in acres) cal habitat designations will likely cause severe restrictions on land access and Federal land State land Private land Total critical Acres by county % of county with could limit or forbid activities such as habitat critical habitat grazing, trout stocking, logging, mining County and recreational use resulting in a dev- Alpine...... 190,275...... 2,578...... 8,149...... 201,002...... 472,960...... 42 astating impact on the local economy.” El Dorado...... 77,891...... —...... 5,300...... 83,191...... 1,095,680...... 8 Moler said there is not enough evi- Fresno...... 665,953...... 1,225...... 217...... 667,395...... 3,816,320...... 17 dence to suggest a critical habitat desig- Madera...... 52,099...... 747...... —...... 52,846...... 1,368,320...... 4 nation would cause considerable harm to Mariposa...... 17,438...... —...... —...... 17,438...... 928,640...... 2 the local economy. Mono...... 101,794...... —...... —...... 101,794...... 1,948,160...... 5 “In Congressman McClintock’s Nevada...... 80,914...... —...... 57,369...... 138,283...... 613,120...... 23 public notice at the meeting, he men- Placer...... 5,921...... —...... 3,365...... 9,286...... 961,920...... 1 tioned that these proposals would have Plumas...... 69,252...... 131...... 6,192...... 75,575...... 1,634,560...... 5 wide-reaching economically damaging Sierra...... 13,945...... —...... 1,758...... 15,703...... 609,920...... 3 consequences. And, that’s a valid con- Tulare...... 213,166...... —...... 24...... 213,190...... 3,112,320...... 7 cern, but there’s no way to tell that at this stage what the effects would be,” said Tuolumne...... 501,657...... 288...... 176...... 502,121...... 1,431,040...... 35 Moler, who was still awaiting the release Total acreage...... 1,990,305...... 4,969...... 82,550...... 2,077,824 of the Draft Economic Analysis. “People Source: Federal Register notice think we’re closing down forests; we are not. People think critical habitat restricts public access; it does not.” In addition to the letter, McClintock to protect the environment makes nature Never heard of it? That’s because it’s The letter also noted concerns that wrangled up a panel for the August look horrible.” a silent killer — of frogs. Fish & Wildlife personnel were “refus- meeting, which included: Alexandra In the last six years, wildfires have in- Chytridiomycosis is a disease that ing to meet with localities to explain this Pitts, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services cinerated more than 30 spotted owl terri- attacks amphibians and is caused by a proposed listing.” Deputy Regional Director of the Pacif- tories in the Plumas and Lassen national pathogenic fungus, according to an arti- The concern that surrounding commu- ic Southwest Region; Mike Applegarth, forests, Brink said. cle published in 2008 in the Proceedings nities were not consulted or even factored principle analyst for El Dorado County; “We’ve got 20 years of experience of of the National Academy of Sciences of into the proposal for critical habitat desig- Kelly Wooster, a cattleman in Calav- species-specific habitat designation now the United States of America entitled nation was raised once again at the forum. eras County; Randy Hanvelt, supervi- — in this case, in the form of the north- “Are we in the midst of the sixth mass “When it was pointed out that every sor for Tuolumne County; Steve Brink, ern spotted owl — and they don’t work,” extinction? A view from the world of locally-elected governing body repre- Vice President of Public Resources for Brink said. “There is plenty of evidence amphibians.” senting the people in the region affect- the California Forestry Association and that habitat designation just steers regu- According to David Wake, professor ed has strongly opposed the designation Mark Baird, Vice President of the Siskiy- latory agencies, human and monetary re- of Integrative Biology at the University and asked whether that was taken into ou County Water Users Association. sources in the wrong direction.” of California, Berkeley, and Vance Vre- account in the Fish & Wildlife delibera- The forum not only addressed con- Not only do the designations “not denburg, associate professor of ecology tions, the answer was a deer in headlights cerns raised by the public, but it also work,” but they are never ending. Lead- and evolution at San Francisco State stare back,” McClintock said. pinpointed the main threats facing am- ing scientists involved in spotted owl University, this disease plagues am- Moler said much of the argument is phibians in the Sierra Nevadas including population recovery in the early ’90s said phibians from Australia to the Sierra lost in translation and due to misinfor- wildfires and disease. that 3,000 pairs of owls would be con- Nevadas of California. mation. sidered a viable population. However, “Although most of the frog habitat in “We certainly don’t say ‘OK, this Burning out of control there are more than 3,000 known pairs of this large mountain range is protected frog’s in danger, no more logging.’ No, “In the Sierras, you can only support spotted owls in northern California alone in national parks and wilderness areas, logging needs to happen; we understand about 40 to 100 trees per acre and be re- now and Fish & Wildlife continues to set yellow-legged frogs are now document- that, but let’s do it in a way that consid- sistant to insects, disease and wildfire, aside critical habitat for the species. Half ed to have disappeared from more than ers the recovery of the threatened and and on average, the [U.S.] Forest Ser- of those 3,000 spotted owl pairs live on 90 percent of their historic range during endangered species,” Moler said. “Peo- vice’s own information shows they aver- Green Diamond Industrial Forest Land, the last several decades,” according to ple thought we were closing down for- age 266 trees per acre today. So, surprise, which is second-growth redwood, Brink the article. ests. We’re not closing down forests; we surprise it’s burning up like crazy,” said said. Still, in January Fish & Wildlife While the cause of the yellow-legged can’t close down forests ... critical hab- Brink, who sat on the frog and toad pan- Services set aside another 9.5 million frog population decrease was original- itat sounds like it’s a land grab to some el. “These wildfires are getting more in- acres throughout Washington, Oregon ly believed to point toward the intro- people, but the only thing we’re doing tense ... we’re experiencing fire behavior and California for the spotted owl — this duction of predatory trout, disease and is we’re identifying those areas that are like we never have before.” is in addition to the 18 million acres des- air pollution, the removal of trout and important to the conservation of that spe- Overgrowth and lack of harvesting ignated in the ’90s. reintroduction of frogs didn’t seem to cies because that species needs to live.” can be traced back to another critical Despite Brink’s argument, Moler said improve frog numbers in the Sierra Ne- The letter requesting an extended habitat designation — the northern spot- the listing of the yellow-legged frog and vadas, according to Wake and Vreden- comment period also questioned the ted owl, Brink said. Yosemite toad is a very different animal. burg’s research. need for listings, noting that “a ‘large “Back in the ’80s, they were harvest- “A lot of people are looking at [the This suggested the main problem number’ of mountain yellow-legged ing about one-third of the annual growth. spotted owl] and some of the emotions was not predation or pollution, but the frog locations within wilderness areas is Since the owl wars in the early ’90s, they’ve involved in this proposal come from that, chytrid fungus. already afforded habitat protection via been harvesting seven percent of the annual but these are massively different species According to the research of Wake the Wilderness Act. Second, Fish and growth. In the last 20 years, we have added and a massively different proposal,” and Vredenburg, “Survival of infected Wildlife also seems to be discounting 40 tons per acre of new vegetation, and so Moler said. “It’s significant enough that frogs after an apparent outbreak has the protections afforded to the mountain we’re seeing the result,” Brink said. I don’t know that the spotted owl is an been seen in Australia, but is unknown yellow-legged frog under the California “Nature’s gonna take care of it if appropriate analogy.” in the Sierra Nevada frogs. The yel- Endangered Species Act.” Of the 1.8 we’re not gonna take care of it. Unfor- low-legged frogs of the Sierra Nevadas million acres proposed for critical habitat tunately, biologists don’t want to talk The silent killer of are an ideal species in which to test this designation, 1.2 million acres are consid- about it, but our environmental standards the yellow-legged frog because they live in discreet habitat ered “wilderness lands,” Moler said. in California and management practices Two words: Chytrid fungus. * FROGS — Page 9 October/November 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 9

Chamber of Commerce study alleges ...

their intent to sue, or, in many cases, when they reach tentative settlement agreements with Environmentaliststhe groups, it is often extremely difficultuse for an interestedsue party and (e.g., a state, asettle regulated tactics business, the public) to know about a settlement until it is final and has legally binding effect on the agency. For this reason, we do not know if the list of cases we have developed is a trulyspecies, according to the Chamber study. Most ‘friendly’ suits Sue and Settle Clean Air Act Cases (1997–2012) “According to the director of FWS, in complete list of recent sue and settle cases. Only the agencies themselves and the Department 70 FY 2011, FWS was allocated $20.9 mil- happen within the of Justice13 really know this. 60 lion for endangered species listing and environmental realm 60 critical habitat designation; the agency Number of Sue and Settle Cases spent more than 75 percent of this al- 50 By SARAH REIJONEN location ($15.8 million) taking the sub- 38 For the GPAA Our investigation40 shows that from 2009 to 2012, a total of 71 lawsuits (including one noticestantive of actions required by court orders intent to sue) were settled under circumstances such that they can be categorized as sue and 27 28 or settlement agreements resulting from Sue and settle tactics are no urbansettle cases30 under the Chamber’s definition. These cases include EPA settlements under thelitigation. In other words, sue and settle legend. A study released in May by Cleanthe Air Act and the Clean Water Act, along with key Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)cases and other lawsuits are effectively 20 U.S. Chamber of Commerce verifies settlementsthat under the Endangered Species Act. Significantly, settlement of these cases directlydriving the regulatory agenda of the En- these tactics are being used across resultedthe 10 in more than 100 new federal rules, many of which are major rules with estimateddangered Species Act program at FWS,” board between environmental groupscompliance costs of more than $100 million annually. according to the Chamber study. and government agencies, such as the 0 If critical habitat is designated for the Environmental Protection Agency andWhich AdvocacyClinton Groups Term Use 2 the SueBush and Term Settle 1 ProcessBush the Term Most? 2 Obama Term 1 yellow-legged frog and Yosemite toad in U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services. (1997-2000) (2001-2004) (2005-2008) (2009-2012) the Sierra Nevadas, sue and settle tactics According to the study, “Sue and set- will likely take their toll again, said Steve tle occurs when an agency intentionallyThe results show thatAdvocacy sue and Group settle Rankings: is by no meansMost Frequent a recent Environmental phenomenon16 and that the tacticBrink, Vice President of Public Resources relinquishes its statutory discretion hasby been used during both DemocraticGroup and Republican Plaintiffs administrations. To the extent thatfor the the California Forestry Association. accepting lawsuits from outside groupssue and settle tactic skirts the normal notice and comment rulemaking process, with its“Anytime there’s a new listing of a which effectively dictate the priorities Sierra Club 34 species and there’s some proposed rem- procedural checks and balances, agencies have been willing for decades to allow sue and settle and duties of the agency through legally WildEarth Guardians 20 edy like a habitat designation, it’s fertile to vitiate the rulemaking requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.17 Moreover, our binding, court-approved settlements ne- Natural Resources Defense Council 9 ground for litigation,” Brink said. gotiated behind closed doors — with researchno found that business groups have also taken advantage of the sue and settle approachCongressman Tom McClintock said to influenceCenter the outcome for Biological of EPA Diversity action. While6 advocacy groups have used sue and settle much participation by other affected parties or Environmental Defense Fund 5 sue and settle tactics have been at play the public.” more often in recent years, both interest groups and industry have taken advantage ofin the the Yosemite Valley, where an envi- Kentucky Environmental Foundation 3 Agencies are not required to informtactic. ronmental group is trying to ban many Association of Irritated Residents 3 the public of these lawsuits, so many forms of tourist recreation. Defenders of Wildlife 3 times they go unnoticed until a suitW is HAT ARE THE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF OUR FINDINGS? “You can see that at work in the Yo- settled and legally binding, according to 13 Tied for 2 2 semite Valley where they’re trying to ban 81 Tied for 1 1 the Chamber study. Since 2009, regulatory requirements representing as much as $488 billion in new costs haveraft rentals, bicycle rentals, horseback Aside from this study, attorney generbeen- imposed by the federal government.0 518 By 10 itself, 15 EPAis 20 responsible 25 30 for 35 adding 40 tensriding of rentals. They’re trying to close als from 12 states took a stand and sued 19 swimming pools, facilities,” McClintock billions of dollars in new regulatory costs. Significantly, more than 100 of EPA’s costly new the EPA back in July demanding that the said. “All this is the result of a settlement rules were the product of sue and settle agreements. The chart belowU.S. Chamber highlights of Commerce just ten of the agency release documents to the statesSeveral environmental advocacy groups have made the sue and settle process a significant partbetween a radical environmental group that will allegedly show the EPA hasofmost their significantOf legalthose strategy.71 rules lawsuits, that By arose34 filing were from lawsuits brought sue andcovering by settle41 significant cases:percent of EPA all rulemakings the attorneys’ and regulatoryfees and a most cooperative parks service, been making backdoor deals with eninitiatives,- the Sierra and thenClub; quickly 20 by WildEarth settling, these Guard groups- awarded have beento EPA able litigants, to circumvent according the to normal part of which involved forking over more vironmental groups. Besides disclosingrulemaking ians; nine process by Natural and effect Resources immediate Defense regulatory the GAO action report with entitled the consent “Environmental of the agencies than $8 million of taxpayer money to this current records, the attorney generalsthemselves. of Council;14 six by the Center for Biological Litigation: Cases against EPA and asso- environmental group. And, I don’t recall Oklahoma, Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Diversity and the remainder by other en- ciated costs over time.” seeing that scandal even mentioned in 16 Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, North Da13 The- suevironmental and settle problem groups. dates back at least to the 1980s. In 1986,Taxpayers Attorney General are also Edward making Meese III their issued con a - any newspaper accounts.” Virtually all lawsuits against federal agencies are handled by U.S. Department of Justice attorneys. In all of the sue and settle Department of Justice policy memorandum, referred to as the “Meese Memo,” addressing the problematic use of consent kota, South Carolina, Texas, Utah andcases the ChamberAccording found, theto Departmenta report that of Justice was represented pub- tribution the agency. to environmental agencies Not only is money disappearing into the 14decrees and settlement agreements by the government, including the agency practice of turning discretionary rulemaking Wyoming hope the lawsuit will lead toAlthough lished the Chamberin August was not 2011 able to compileby the a completeUniteddatabase whether on the they extent like to which it or advocacy not. On groups top receiveof at- hands of environmental agencies, but Mc- authority into mandatory duties. See Meese, Memorandum on Department Policy Regarding Consent Decrees and Settlement new regulations on the EPA. attorney’sStates fees from Government the federal government, Accountability a review of Of a portion- of the Chamber’s database revealed that attorney’s fees Agreements (March 13, 1986). torneys’ fees awarded, the GAO found Clintock said Congress-appropriated funds The Chamber, which began its sue17 5 U.S.C.fice, Subchapter environmental II. groups profited that the Department of Justice spent at given to the U.S. National Parks Service and settle study in 2011, found that “the18 Sam Batkins,more from American EPA Action litigation Forum, “President than any Obama’s other $488 least Billion $43 Regulatory million Burden” in taxpayer (September dollars 19, 2012). de- have also vanished without a trace. 19 overwhelming majority of sue and settleId. Mr.groups Batkins estimatesbetween the 1995 regulatory and burden2010. added In fact, by EPA infending 2012 alone EPA to be in $12.1 U.S.court billion. Chamber from 1998 of Commerceto 2010. “When12 the floods wiped out nearly actions from 2009 to 2012 have occurred the report shows that environmental The Endangered Species Act is just half the campsites in Yosemite Valley, in the environmental regulatory con- group Earthjustice received nearly $5 one in the “holyU.S. trinity” Chamber of sue of Commerceand set- Congress14 appropriated nearly $17 mil- text,” specifically in relation to the Clean million, or 32 percent of all attorneys’ tle case allstars. In May and July 2011, lion to replace those campsites,” Mc- Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the En- fees paid to EPA litigants. The Sierra Fish & Wildlife Services agreed to two Clintock said. “The money was spent; dangered Species Act. Club received their piece of the pie with consent decrees with an environmen- the campsites were never rebuilt.” From 2009 to 2012, a total of 71 law- $966,687.34, and the Natural Resources tal advocacy group, which require the suits were settled using sue and settle Defense Council received $252,004.87. agency to propose adding more than 720 Sarah Reijonen is a freelance writer based in tactics, according to the Chamber study. Altogether, these three groups received new candidates to the list of endangered California.

FROGS ignation,” Brink said. “If the fungus is whether it’s grazing allotment, timber like this that was not justified,” Moler Continued from Page 8 killing all the yellow-legged frogs and harvest, whatever; it will lead to less said. “Really, the Fish & Wildlife did a toads in park and you lay a habitat des- activity because the Forest Service will lot of heavy lifting over many years for patches, are relatively easy to capture ignation on all the frogs and toads, what have to go through a process and con- the public to ensure that we looked at and are highly philopatric.” is that going to do for the frogs and sult with the regulatory agency for ev- all the science and to get us to a certain Despite the research, Brink said Fish toads? Absolutely nothing.” ery single project that falls within that point. We get a lot of people who say we & Wildlife Services continues to move People are not the primary factor, but habitat designation,” Brink said. “And, are opposed to this. We are listening and full-steam ahead toward endangered may contribute to the loss of amphibian they don’t have the staff or the mone- we understand that; however, what we and threatened species listings. Brink life and habitat, Moler said. tary resources today to do the work they use is science.” said Pitts, the Fish & Wildlife Services “These proposals are based upon currently have.” While the forum was not a congres- representative on the panel was not all the available research and science Still, Moler said all activity could sional hearing, McClintock is looking open to any other explanations concern- from the fungus all the way down. Are continue where applicable. to move in that direction and said it is ing population decline. humans the problem? No, I would not “We would work together to ensure important for the public to get involved “[Pitts] was completely uninformed say humans are the problem. It’s hu- that normal practices, such as logging, and voice their concerns in writing. and not prepared. She didn’t know any- mans that are rising to the challenge of grazing and mining could continue with “The stories that people told about thing about the chytrid fungus, which is conserving and protecting the species,” an eye on the conservation of the spe- struggling because of the enormous bur- lethal to the yellow-legged frog and Yo- Moler said. “Yes, there are some activi- cies,” he said. “And, we do that by rec- den from federal regulations that have semite toad ... she acted as if she didn’t ties that are threats to the species. That’s ommending ways to minimize impacts, already been imposed made it very clear know that,” Brink said. “I was just as- what the science says; one of them is avoid impacts and when there’s going to to me that the real endangered popula- tounded. She’s supposed to be the regu- this fungus, but are people — our move- be impacts, what you can do to mitigate tion in the Sierra Nevadas is homo sa- lator, making a proposal to list them and ments, distribution, our highways — is those impacts offsite.” piens,” McClintock said. “It seems as if of how to take care of it.” that a contributing factor?” Moler said FWS hopes to have a the federal government has adopted this Instead of leaping into an endangered While the frog and toad habitat des- decision by 2014, though one must be radical leftist philosophy that human species listing, Brink said Fish & Wild- ignation may prove useless to both pop- reached by April 2014 per ESA require- beings are a bane to Mother Nature ... life should look to sound science and ulations, it would undoubtedly affect an ments. it’s almost as if they want the public off make efforts to remedy the situation by already-struggling economy in the Si- “We are a compassionate organiza- the public’s land.” introducing known anti-fungal bacteria erra Nevadas by impacting everything tion. By law, we have to make our deci- to the populations. from tourism to mining. sions based on science and for that rea- Sarah Reijonen is a freelance writer based in “[Pitts] is fixated on the habitat des- “Whether it’s recreation activity, son ... we would never make a proposal California. 10 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013

MINING YOUR OWN BUSINESS ‘Smart money’ seeks alternatives CONTRARIAN Traditional investors are wary of modern megabank ways By MICHAEL FOSTER INVESTORS Gold demand: Physical vs. ETF For the GPAA 500

EYE GOLD Increasingly, institutional investors 400 are looking to make bets outside of the modern banking system in alternative MINING COS. 300 investments. Whether this is private By LESTER ORDWAY equity, commodities or venture capi- 200 For the GPAA tal funding of startups, more and more professional investors managing assets 100 As gold prices have slumped in 2013, worth billions of dollars are looking for contrarian investors have started to turn alternatives to the large banks that were to gold mining companies and their re- once considered the safest way to make 0 lated Index and Ex- money. Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 Q1 2012 Q2 2012 Q3 2012 Q4 2012 Q1 2013 change-Traded Funds Not anymore. -100 (ETF). With the risk and reward curve err- Physical demand (tonnes) For the investor, ing too much on the side of big risk and -200 Paper demand (tonnes) there is no shortage of low rewards with large banks, so-called Source: World Gold Council via zerohedge.com publicly traded com- smart money investors — including panies from which to those who are investing in hedge funds have to pay, just like people with bad choose. Miningfeeds. — are pulling away from the big boys, credit scores have to pay higher interest 2013 gold prices com lists 231 public- such as Pacific Investment Management rates on credit cards. in U.S. dollars/Troy Ounce ly traded gold mining Lester Ordway Company (PIMCO), Goldman Sachs companies through- and JP Morgan. Instead, they want oth- Looming inflation High Low out the world. Some of the larger mar- er sources of value and profit. This is a Another important and more esoter- ket cap companies include Goldcorp Inc. general trend that’s manifesting itself in ic reason for the escape from the bond Jan. 1693.75 1645.25 (GG), Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX), New- several ways, but the clearest is in the market has to do with future expecta- Feb. 1674.25 1576.50 mont Mining Co. (NEM), Anglogold bond market. tions. Again, this is complex, but can be Ashanti Ltd. (AGG.AX) and Newcrest boiled down to one key point: investors Mar. 1613.75 1574.00 FPO (NCM.AX) to name a few. Bond outflows expect prices to go up in the future, just April 1598.25 1380.00 Those investors interested in spread- From the middle of 2013 after the as they’ve been doing for years in su- ing the risk across the gold sector may price of gold fell and stocks skyrock- permarkets across America. May 1469.25 1354.75 be interested in ETFs that track the un- eted, institutional investors have been When prices are going to go up, derlying gold index. These funds invest running away from all kinds of bets on bonds are the worst thing in which to in- June 1404.00 1192.00 in mostly the same mining companies, credit. It seems that, for the most part, vest. Bonds lose value over time as in- July 1335.00 1212.75 albeit with different weightings and dif- investors are worried about defaults flation rises and that’s exactly what has ferent cost structures. Some of the more such as the famous bankruptcy in De- been happening now because investors August 1419.50 1280.50 notable ETFs include SPDR Gold Trust troit, as well as the lowering value of are selling bonds more than they’re buy- (GLD), Market Vectors Gold Miners holding paper obligations, whether it’s ing them because they believe prices are ETF (GDX) and Direxion Daily Gold to a large municipality like Detroit or going to go up around the world. Source: ycharts.com Miners Bear 3x Shares ETF (DUST). Chicago, or to a large corporation such This has not translated into a rising Like gold bullion, as a group these eq- as Apple. Corporate and government price for commodities quite yet (the mained in around this range. uities have not fared well in 2013. The debt has been tanking in value as in- money has mostly gone into stocks), but At the same time, the bond outflows Market Vectors Gold Miners EFT (GDX) vestors leave the bond market and bond the expectation is that this will happen in that began in June and have continued, is currently trading around $30, down 46 funds have seen billions of dollars leave the longer term. Stocks are too expensive combined with the growing mistrust of percent from its 52-week high of $55.25. for greener pastures. now when analyzing a number of met- large-scale modern banking institutions, Similarly Goldcorp Inc (GG) is currently rics, and this is clearly unsustainable. suggests that the smart money — the in- trading at $31.40, down 41 percent from The key question is ‘Why?’ When there is the expectation of stitutional investors and hedge funds of its 52 week high of $47.42. Such has The answer is complex, but basically inflation, there are a lot of options to the world — are looking for a historical- been the 2013 story for the miners. boils down to this: investors expect it to choose from, but in the beginning of ly reliable alternative. This bodes well As of late, however, there has been get harder and harder for large institu- 2013 large professional investors es- for gold, which has a longer historical resurgence in the price of these equities tions such as the American government chewed almost all of them, betting in- track record for retaining value than any as investors reposition for what some are to find someone willing to give them stead on stocks. Most famously, gold other commodity in the world. likening to a 1987-style market correc- debt. As a result, the yields that they saw a steep decline in value before tion. This move upwards, bounce if you have to pay from those debts are going summer, and quickly found a bottom Michael Foster is a freelance business journalist will, seems to be tied directly to the price up, because they’re seen as a bigger at around $1,200 to $1,300 per ounce. based in New York City. He can be reached at of bullion. Gold spot prices have steadily risk. The bigger the risk, the more they As of the time of this writing, gold re- [email protected]. moved higher over the last 12 years starting in 2001 when the price for an ounce of gold closed the year at $277 and end- ed 2012 at $1,664 (prices from The 2nd London Gold Fix). UBS opens new vault for physical gold This year, gold prices plunged to $1,192 on June 28, a three-year low, tak- Asians want bullion the price higher. has recently turned into a greater domes- ing the equities along for the ride. If you tic-focused investment in the markets of do the math, you’ll find that gold prices stored in Singapore Asian demand for physical gold Japanese, Korean, and Chinese consum- are down about 17 percent this year, a In Asia, gold has historically been ers. This has lead to less concentration of significantly smaller drop than the de- By MICHAEL FOSTER perceived as a store of wealth for mil- wealth among a few conglomerates, as cline in the values for the gold equities. For the GPAA lennia, so it is no surprise that wealthy small and mid-size business owners de- What ends up happening is that the Asians have chosen the metal as an in- velop and grow their brands, whether it be equity prices tend to move with the price The United Bank of Switzerland vestment. As paper gold has fallen in a chain of restaurants in Shanghai, a busi- of gold bullion. The difference being that (UBS) has announced that it is offer- price on Wall Street, demand for physi- ness-to-business service in South Korea the price changes for equities are magni- ing gold bullion storage for investors cal gold on the streets of Beijing, Hong or a financial services firm in Japan. fied. An uptick in gold prices tend to have in Asia with a new gold vault in Singa- Kong and Tokyo has never been greater. the stocks move up in a greater percent- pore. UBS executives have said that the The demand has not been just for jew- Choosing Singapore age while the opposite is true in reverse. gold storage will be a service to high net elry, either; as UBS Wealth Management Those small business owners are in Equities are inherently more risky than worth Asian customers who are looking regional manager Peter Kok suggests, turn looking for ways to secure their owning gold bullion and the laws of risk for a secure place to store their gold bul- Asians are investing in gold. “The de- wealth from a number of macroeco- and reward are at play for everyone to see. lion amidst rising demand for the metal. mand for gold among Asian clients and nomic worries, one of which is, of The news was released in July short- the demand for gold custody services in course, the potential political instabil- Future price of gold ly after gold bullion fell below $1,300 Asia are always growing,” Kok said. ity of the local government. With an So what are the pundits saying about an ounce, near the minimal break-even This continued investment in gold autocratic government, there is always the future price of gold? point. This is the price where large scale bullion is partly the result of the explo- the threat that the party can declare you The answers seem to be tied to the gold miners can sell gold on the open sive growth that Asian economies have an enemy of the state and confiscate as general economy where there is much market just above a loss, and is com- seen in the last 20 years. That first wave much wealth as you have within its bor- concern. Popular commentators Jim monly seen as the lowest point that gold of growth with the industrialization of ders. As a business-friendly free-market * ORDWAY — Page 11 can go, before market demand drives Japan, South Korea, and later China, * UBS — Page 11 October/November 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 11 Princess, prospector — or both? Pint-size panner helps mom and dad go for gold

By SARAH REIJONEN For the GPAA

Bella Baraglia is a regular celeb- rity in mining circles from Califor- nia to Alaska. “In Alaska, half the small towns up there probably all know Bella because everywhere we went she talked to everybody about everything,” said Bella’s mom, Reb Baraglia. Decked out in pink, the little prospector was born to dig in the dirt. Now five years old, Bella attended her very first outing when she was just three months old. Bella prospects with her parents, Reb and Jeff Baraglia from Riverside, Calif., and was still a little peanut in her mom’s belly when she attended her first gold show. Photos by Jim Jeffrey In August, Reb took Bella on an Five-year-old Bella Baraglia pans for gold in the San Gabriel River with her parents, outing organized by the American Gold Prospectors Association of America Lifetime members Jeff and Reb. Prospector Treasure Seeker store in Temecula, Calif. They prospected Reb and Jeff began prospecting perfect activity for us as a family.” along the San Gabriel River, where nearly five years ago and imme- Reb said her 41-year-old hus- Bella put her pink pan and matching diately became Gold Prospectors band has been interested in rocks pink scoop to good use. Association of America Gold Life since college — he even took some “She does have a princess side to members. For Reb and Jeff, pros- geology courses. her,” Reb said. “She loves pink and pecting is another outdoor hobby to “Jeff always says he loves un- she was so excited to have a pink add to their repertoire, which also earthing something nobody has ever pan, finally. She’s a pretty good mix includes fishing, hiking and camp- seen before,” Reb said. of Daddy’s little princess and Mom- ing. The Baraglia family’s dedication my’s little tomboy. Even if she’s all “Bella loves to play in the mud to prospecting runs deep — all three decked out in a princess dress, if and the dirt; she takes after me com- * there’s mud around, she’s in it.” pletely,” Reb said. “It’s kind of a PRINCESS — Page 12

UBS With all of these concerns in the cards, Continued from Page 10 savvy Chinese investors need a reliable store of wealth. Obviously, debt in other entrepôt, Singapore is a great place to countries is unreliable, as the downgrade store wealth away from corrupt politi- of the U.S. government in 2011 and the cians. never-ending crisis in the European Union Another fear is the instability of the demonstrate. Foreign countries are also a growth of their economies. China’s ex- fool’s choice, because they are becoming plosive, double-digit GDP growth can- increasingly dependent on China. And, not last forever, so Chinese citizens foreign currency isn’t an option, because are waiting for the day when that slow central banks keep printing dollars and growth leads to less economic opportuni- euros to make their debts lose value. ties. This could have a number of knock- That really just leaves one reliable op- off effects, such as a crash in the housing tion: gold. And now, UBS will be there market (making real estate investments to take Asian deposits of the metal for a lose value), a devaluation of the Chinese modest fee. yuan (thus making cash lose value), and a devaluation in Chinese stocks (since Michael Foster is a freelance business journalist companies will have lower revenue as a based in New York City. He can be reached at result of lowered consumption growth). [email protected].

ORDWAY ing dollar and slowing economic growth Continued from Page 10 in the emerging markets. Jacobs views gold much like any other commodity and Rogers and Peter Schiff have identified expects a price drop in a slowing econ- 2014 as the time of reckoning when the omy. His strategy to profit from the im- high deficits, national debt and inflation- pending collapse in gold prices is to short ary policies of the Federal Reserve will Gold ETF (GLD) or Miners ETF (GDX) cause a collapse of the currency and or buy PUT options on the mining stocks meltdown of the economy. because he expects they will take a “big- Suggested strategies to weather the ger hit” when the price of gold drops. expected slowdown are to move invest- So there you have it; smart people ments out of the US dollars, to countries agreeing on some things (a slowing where there are higher savings, less gov- economy next year) and disagreeing ernment spending and a growing econo- on others (where gold prices are head- my. The conventional wisdom has been ed). My advice is to pull out your bro- that money will move to precious metals ker statements and give your portfolio a which has some pundits, such as Peter good look. Then call your broker or other Schiff, predicting $2,000 to $5,000 gold confidants among family and friends to prices. discuss options. Gold has its detractors too. Yoni Ja- Stay vigilant and good luck! cobs, author of the Gold Bubble and Chief Investment Strategist at Chart Lester Ordway is a Certified Public Accountant Capital, is predicting gold prices to drop based in Winchester, Calif. He can be reached at to $700 per ounce. He cites a strengthen- [email protected] 12 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013

Photo by Jim Jeffrey Equipped with her pink pan and scoop, five-year-old Bella Baraglia hunts for gold in Southern Cal- ifornia’s San Gabriel River with her parents, GPAA Lifetime members Jeff and Reb. PRINCESS out in Idaho, the Anchorage Chapter up Continued from Page 11 in Alaska. Everybody’s so nice when they find out we’re going to be coming of them went to Rancho Cucamonga in to town.” August to show support at the unsuccess- While Bella’s attention span is still ful fight for a preliminary injunction, an that of a five-year-old, she is learning to effort to get California suction dredgers work that little pink pan. back in the water. “We do a lot of cleaning our concen- But, the family isn’t limited to pros- trates out on the patio, so when we’re here, pecting in California. They have traveled we let her practice panning it down,” Reb up and down the West Coast in search of said. “She’s not extremely great at it, but gold. she has panned down and found a nugget “We’ve done most of our gold mining and she’s always telling everybody about out of the state of California,” Reb said. that. But, she’s more about the play than “Whenever we’re traveling, we try to get the gold as of right now.” a hold of the local chapter where we’re going to go and meet up with them. Sarah Reijonen is a freelance writer based in We’ve dealt with the Caribou Chapter California.

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THE SENSATIONAL NEW GOLD PAN FROM AUSTRALIA NOW AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY IN THE USA & CANADA! www.turbopan.com October/November 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 13 STATE DIRECTOR’S REPORT TEXAS Derroll E. Ross Higher Learning Spreading the fever in college

Gold Prospectors Association of America Texas State Director Derroll E. Ross (kneeling, fourth from left) is joined by his daughters Melanie Ross and Kim Jackson at a gathering that drew members of GPAA chapters from Wichita Falls; Granbury, Greenville and Texarkana — all Texas chapters — and some from Oklahoma City, Okla. Ross has been an active member of the GPAA since 1991. State director delivers infectious gold prospecting classes By KERRY LaFLEUR the rocks “and stuff” he was traversing while prospecting For the GPAA so he took a geology course at a local college. We aren’t like, say, bass “What I found out there changed my whole attitude At age 72, Derroll E. Ross isn’t showing signs of slow- about prospecting,” Ross said. ing down. Quite the opposite, in fact. An active member fishermen ... we don’t try to When his instructor found out about his hobby, Ross of the Gold Prospectors Association of America since was asked to do a brief presentation for the class. 1991, Ross has served as a member, chapter president and hide our ‘honey-holes.’ We “Since then, I have continued to be a guest lecturer for is currently the Texas Junior State Director. like to plan outings that are the geology classes,” he said. Ross’s affable nature is immediately apparent to any- His presentation now consists of a 45-minute lecture one who speaks with him. His bristly, white beard some- at good spots. and a hands-on panning demonstration for the students. what obscures his smile, though the warmth of his per- One of the most rewarding moments for Ross is when he sonality is unmistakable and is as endearing as his sleepy teaches someone how to prospect and they find their first Texas drawl. color. Ross began his gold prospecting pastime with a metal work with the chapter presidents to come up with ideas “It’s that ‘Aha gotcha! moment’ and I know I have detector. for outings to keep the membership enthused.” them hooked!” he said. “Then I thought, ‘Hey Stupid! Look, all these years With six to eight outings a year, this keeps Ross pretty And, it wasn’t just the captive audience who took a you’ve been walking across all kinds of rocks and stuff. busy, but he has his reasons for doing it. shine to his teaching. Ross recalls when the dean popped Why not look for a little bit of paydirt, gems, minerals and “The camaraderie of the people and getting to meet in on one of his demonstrations. whatever?’” Ross said with a laugh. people from all over. Here I am, going to outings and “He was only going to be there like 15-20 minutes and That was 22 years ago and he hasn’t looked back since. there’s someone from Washington, or Alaska and here I next thing you know ... that dean stayed there for three Ross still metal detects, but mostly just when he wants to am from Texas! You get to make lots and lots of friends hours, watching. Afterwards he come to me and said, ‘Mr. coin hunt. at the outings, gold shows and stuff like that. We aren’t Ross, I have had a lot of guest lecturers through the years He still remembers his first prospecting expedition and like, say, bass fishermen ... we don’t try to hide our ‘hon- and you’re the first one I have ever seen who had 100 digging out the paydirt in which he found his first gold. ey-holes.’ We like to plan outings that are at good spots,” percent student attention.” “I sat down, chipped it out with a rock hammer, put it he said. And yes, he got an “A” in the class and continues to out into a pan. There wasn’t very much gold in it, but I According to Ross, most of the outings are made pos- have the most engaged lecture on campus. was excited as I was at the height of my prospecting right sible by proceeds from the sales of panning kits at shows. Ross’ enthusiasm is infectious. His eldest daughter of- there. It was the first gold I ever found ... no assistance “We make panning kits which consist of a pan and a bag ten joins him as he goes along to the chapter meetings and from anybody. I found it myself! It was not more than a of concentrates that we put a little bit of gold in,” he said. outings. His youngest daughter has her own drywasher grain or two, but that vial I’ve got it in now is priceless to Ross is looking forward to their next show in Arlington, and goes as often as she can. There is a concerted effort me,” he said. Texas. “We also give demonstrations on how to pan, too,” “to make everything we do with the chapters fun for ev- Gold fever worked its way into Ross’s life, but he’s he said. eryone — wives, kids, everyone,” he said. always kept a level head about it. This has been a successful model for them for many Ross is always thinking of new ways to teach people “It’s an enjoyable hobby, I don’t go out there every day years, Ross said. He recalled the first time they tried about prospecting and works to spread the word about the and try to make a living off it,” he said. “I do it to go out, demonstrations. GPAA. If you give him half the chance, he will deftly lure be outside, look at nature and enjoy the outdoors with the “The first one we went to we got in at no charge, be- you into a conversation that will effortlessly move towards camaraderie of good friends and family.” cause we did the demonstration. At the end of the show, the topic of prospecting — much like gold always gravi- And, get outside he does. Ross has frequently traveled the girl that was in charge of it said ‘I’m not going to ask tates to the bottom of a stream — slowly, but surely it’ll to GPAA claims throughout Texas and New Mexico. y’all to come back.’ I said to myself, ‘Uh oh! What in the end up there. And, before you know it, you’ll want to drop “My forte is drywashing,” he said. heck did we do wrong?’ Then, she went on to say, ‘You what you’re doing, pack your bags and head out to a claim. Ross humbly boasts about the success of the GPAA are coming back!’ and we’ve been doing it ever since,” he Then again, that doesn’t sound like such a bad idea, chapters in his area and their growing numbers. said with a chuckle. now does it? “We have a brand new chapter in Abilene,” he said Ross’s presentation skills aren’t just limited to gold with pride. “I try to visit each one of the chapters that I shows and exhibitions. Curious by nature and feeding his Kerry LaFleur is a GPAA member and freelance writer and treasure am involved with once every three to four months and hunger for knowledge, Ross wanted to know more about hunter based in Las Vegas. 14 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013 FEATURED CLAIM california Mother Lode Claim offers ambiance, color Mission accomplished despite dry conditions

By MICHAEL GREYSHOCK For the GPAA

With wild rivers and changing forests of different characters, it’s hard for anyone to focus while driving through the California Mother Lode. Of course, for me it’s made even harder with all the good lookin’ gold geology and workings. The drive to the uniquely named S-Able Granma Wanna claim takes you through some of the richest gold country in the world and I highly recommend leaving yourself some extra time for stopping along the Pleistocene Ridge and enjoying the view. If more time is allowed, you can visit the town of Alleghany, where the largest pockets of gold in the world have been pulled out. The town is about 15 minutes away from the claim and is one of the most authentic Gold Rush towns to be found. The claim covers the waters near the head of the south fork of the historically rich Oregon Creek. Tall trees with little undergrowth and just enough sepa- ration allow for ample light to filter through. With Photos by Michael Greyshock plenty of shade and a high elevation of approximately This seasonally dry creek is where most of the gold was found. On this trip, there wasn’t enough water to use even a small 5,000 feet, this claim is well suited for the hotter days sluice, but panning behind the larger rocks produced gold every time. of summer. The only difficulty of those hotter days is Many of the bench gravels were made up of vol- efficiently, but best of all would probably be using a that the upper portion of the claim may be dry, as it canic rocks, which don’t usually carry gold in this re- sluice box during times when the water flow allows it. was on the day I visited. gion and my panning confirmed this. The gold at this claim is likely to be finer and may During my day at the claim, smoke filled the air The gut of the dry channel didn’t provide any bed- be spottier than some GPAA claims I have visited. from a fire some 40 miles to the south. Most days rock, so I dug out behind the largest rocks and got the But, as many of my pans showed, there is a healthy here would bring crisp, fresh mountain air to fill deepest material I could. These pans produced gold amount of gold to be found. your lungs while working an area where old-timers almost every time. Access to the claim is easy, but it is a secluded and left plenty of evidence to attest to their fruitful en- The GPAA Claims Club Membership Mining not often visited place. Reddish orange columbine deavors. Guide mentioned good reports of fine gold for many flowers filled meadow areas on the creeks edge, while Parking at what would make a terrific campsite members and that fit with my results until I dug some the depth of the stillness gave an ambiance to make a just below the claim boundary, I unpacked my gear material out of some tree roots exposed in a bank. The day of prospecting not really matter if it was success- to give a solid evaluation. Once reaching the claim, two pans I took from here resulted in a few pickers ful or not. I realized there wasn’t enough water to run a sluice, and only a speck or two of the finest gold. Still, I suspect most members will be putting some and with virtually no bedrock and more than enough At the time I was here, you could have used a dry- good color in their vials. volcanic rocks to give fits to any detector, I decided to washer to achieve success, but I suspect most of the One important note for visiting members is that test as many spots as I could with a pan to determine time the soil would be too damp. During late sum- the directions from the current Claims Guide are a bit where the richest gravels were. mer, panning or a recirculating sluice would work * MOTHER LODE — Page 15 In a year with more sufficient rainfall, the claim would likely carry enough water year round to use a small sluice.

Above: A dirt road ends just below the claim boundary and is a great place to camp. Top: Don’t miss it! The author turns onto the easy-to-miss dirt road leading to the claim. Right: Columbine flowers add a touch of color to the forest. October/November 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 15

Prepare, call before heading to claims Please submit a mining claim report, when you visit a GPAA claim. Mining claim report forms are available in the back of the GPAA Claims Club Member- ship Mining Guide, or submit them online at: www.goldprospectors.org. Members are reminded that GPAA state directors and local GPAA chapters typically have excellent recent, current local knowledge about the claims in their area. Members are encouraged to contact a state director or chapter when planning a prospecting visit to a GPAA claim. A list of state directors and chapters is printed on pages 24 and 25 of each issue of the Pick & Shovel Gazette. Visit http://transition.fcc.gov/mb/ audio/bickel/DDDMMSS-decimal.html to convert GPS coordinates from de- grees, minutes and seconds to decimal or vice-versa. Visit http://www.earthpoint.us/Town- shipsSearchByDescription.aspx to convert township, range, and section to GPS or vice-versa. Arizona n FLAT FOOT — La Paz County: See Mining Guide page 94. Section number is 34. California n DOUGLAS CITY — Trinity County: See Mining Guide page 210. Gulch restoration in being done and certain areas may be fenced. n NANCY’S GOLD — Placer Coun- ty: See Mining Guide page 171. North Fork should be Middle Fork. Montana n BACON AND BEANS — Sweet Grass County: See Mining Guide page 339. The access to this claim, Placer ADD $10.50 FOR SHIPPING Gulch Trail, is closed for repair. The reopening date has not yet been announced. n HOPELESS 1 — Broadwater County: See Mining Guide page 335. The access road to this claim is washed out and is not passable. The reopening date has not yet been announced. New Mexico U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MAN- MOTHER LODE Continued from Page 14 AGEMENT — See Mining Guide page 358. The phone number has been misleading. changed to (505) 954-2000. The town of Forest is not on Highway 49, but rather up Washington Ridge Road toward Alleghany. You would exit Highway n HARD WAGES — Yakima Coun- 49 where it’s marked as Ridge Road (My phone navigation ty: See Mining Guide page 459. Access called it Celestial Valley Road.) A sign also points out that Al- is by 4-wheel drive only. Members are leghany is down this road. After about 16 miles on this road, reminded of the requirement that they you reach a sign saying it’s three miles to Forest City. (Don’t carry a copy of the current Washington be fooled; it’s not a city). You take a left here and then al- Gold and Fish Book. most immediately take a middle road at this Y that is marked n DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES as Pleistocene Ridge Road. You follow this down a couple — See Mining Guide page 454. The tele- miles to another unmarked U.S. Forest Service Road where phone number has been changed to (206) you will go left. The claim is at the end of it, about one-third Photo by Michael Greyshock 902-1450. of a mile. It’s a paved route all the way up to that last third These are the gravels in which the author found his best color. of a mile. The GPAA Claims Department can be reached at For an ambiance of real Gold Rush country and a shot at [email protected] or by calling 1-800- some good gold, the S-Able Granma Wanna is a gem among Mike Greyshock is a full-time prospector and freelance writer based in 551-9707 and asking for the Claims Department. the GPAA’s claims. California. He can be reached at [email protected] 16 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013

Why join a local GPAA chapter?

Photo by Brad Jones A participant has a blast on the highbanker at Vein Mountain LDMA Camp near Marion, N.C. Learn it. Live it. Love it! By SARAH REIJONEN make it yours? The best way to do that For the GPAA is to team up with like-minded people — a community of prospectors where There’s only so much a greenhorn everybody is really friendly. It’s not gold prospector can learn on YouTube. about keeping secrets; it’s about sharing “There are some things that take fi- knowledge of the industry.” nesse and technique and just can’t be explained on YouTube as well as if you Learn it! learned them from someone hands-on,” Escarcega said the biggest perks of said Chapters Administrator Louis Es- joining a GPAA chapter are learning, be- carcega. ing a part of a community and staying in- The best way for new Gold Prospec- formed. Through GPAA chapters, mem- tors Association of America members to bers are able to learn the best prospecting get involved and accumulate prospecting practices with the most up-to-date equip- knowledge is by joining a local GPAA ment. They also build relationships and chapter. receive regular communication from the “It takes the national organization — GPAA. this huge entity — and makes it person- “As a member of the GPAA, you have al, especially for those people who have access to more than 350 mining claims, just joined and are all by themselves,” but even if we had only one claim, you Escarcega said. “How are you gonna * Join — Page 17 October/November 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 17

JOIN ant to the GPAA.” kind of stuff that you get in the commu- Continued from Page 16 Roberts’ Central Valley Prospectors nity of a chapter. You make sure that no chapter has approximately 350 active one is left behind and they all have some- could go to there and you may not know members; nearly 200 constantly attend- thing to do. Pass it forward, teach somewhere to start,” Escarcega said. “If I have ing meetings and outings. Even if mem- one else some other day the same thing a family of people, a community to tell bers can’t make it to chapter outings, you’re learning here ... that’s what I think me beforehand, all the better.” Roberts said they should stay involved. you get out of a chapter. “They might not be able to go out and “Everything is equally important: Live it! mine anymore, but they want to know safety, education, camaraderie, having A chapter provides that community what’s happening and they like the peo- fun. It’s all equally important, and that is — that family. For Central Valley Pros- ple ... and they like being noticed. They what I believe a chapter is all about.” pectors’ President and California State like the camaraderie and they like the At the end of the day, it’s about being Director Nancy Roberts, the community laughter.” a part of something larger than life — aspect is vital. Still, chapter outings provide the larger than self. “You get camaraderie. You get safety,” ultimate hands-on prospecting experi- “The chapters do a lot more than sim- June/JulyRoberts said. “You 2013 get what a lot of peo- ence, Roberts said. Pick & Shovelply Gazettemeet and go out and prospect,” Es- 15 ple have been missing maybe for a long “If you come to an outing, that’s carcega said. “Chapters get together for time in their life and that’s notoriety. Peo- where you’re going to learn,” she said. meals, parties, gold shows. They get out ple notice you, people know you’re there, “I can teach you how to swim without and get involved in the community. They people know your name. We’re all the water, but you won’t know how to swim raise money for non-profits: Boy Scouts, same people out here, and we all want that until you’re in the water. If you want to and Girl Scouts. They go to schools to but don’t always get that. If you’re a loner, learn, you need to come to an outing.” educate. They go to Pioneer Days, Gold you don’t get that. You become ‘a part of.’ Rush Days. All of these things would be You get to build new things with people, Love it! much less likely to happen if you were on friendships and otherwise.” Just one outing and Roberts guaran- your own and not part of a local GPAA Roberts calls those who join the tees new members will be hooked. chapter.” GPAA without getting involved in a “They end up going on an outing, and Photo by Brad Jones chapter “takers,” and she encourages they go, ‘God, I had a blast!’ Then they Sarah Reijonen is a freelance writer based in Children tuckered out after working highbanker those takers to start giving back. keep coming,” Roberts said. “This is the California. at the Vein Mountain LDMA Camp. “They’re joining GPAA because all theyOn care Jan. about 1, 2013 are the Tellico claims Plains, and that’s Tenn. issuedgreed, ain requirement my opinion,” for a noRoberts cost permit.said. Claims Club Membership Mining Guide Gold Prospectors Association of America Visit“And, www.tellico-plains.com that’s very sad, because for I’m informa sure - tion.they have some things to offer people, but the last thing people want to be of- CACTUS NEEDLE LA PAZ COUNTY On April 5, 2013 the EPA issued a new fered is greed.” permit for small suction dredge operations T4N R13W Sec. 22 Even novice prospectors have some- that discharge into Idaho’s waters. Go thing valuable to offer the experienced 160 acres toones, www.yosemite.epa.gov/r10/water.nsf/ even if that is nothing more than a Gila & Salt River Meridian npdes+permits/idsuction-gpfresh perspective. for information.“I think you can see something with USGS TOPO: Harisburg Valley brandOn news April eyes,” 8, Escarcega2013 the said.California “Just GPS Coordinates & General Claim Information Directions, Comments & Member Reports Departmentbecause you’re of Fishthe newest& Wildlife doesn’t published mean ayou page can’t update add to for something the Suction that’s Dredgeold. I NE CORNER 33*39’59.4678”by-113*35’20.8973” Directions: Permittingthink that being Program. a part of Visita chapter www.dfg. gives SE CORNER 33*39’43.2796”by-113*35’20.4607” From Highway 95 in Quartzsite, AZ go East on Interstate 10 for 35 miles. Turn off ca.gov/suctiondredgeyou something that you for can information. not only take NW CORNER 33*39’59.0237”by-113*35’40.2987” on exit 53. away from, but add to.” SW CORNER 33*39’42.9970”by-113*35’40.1532” From Goodyear, a suburb of Phoenix, AZ take N. Cotton Lane, go West on Interstate Sometimes aCalifornia chapter can help mem- 10 for 70.2 miles and turn off on exit 53. Head north on Harquahala RD/Hovatter Road. At 4.2 miles, you will be bersn find CLOSE their place ONE in the world,and FIRSTRoberts approximately 1/2 mile west of north end of claim. There are many dirt roads in CHANCEsaid. – Kern County: These claims “They find their niche,” she said. Access: 4 wheel drive recommended the area, some of which will get you close or on claim. The dirt roads may require are listed on page 156 of the Mining Guide. 4-wheel drive. Members“They’ll find are remindedbuddies to these go outclaims and weremine Terrain: Desert with hills, open mine shafts Gold: Need reports closedwith away in the from August/September the chapter, which 2012 comes edi - Water: Dry, no water Comments & Member Reports: tionback of to the safety Pick and & Shovel it gives Gazette them .a sense Weather: Hot in summer There are active mines in the vicinity, many of which are patented (privately of belongingn DOUGLAS and a sense CITY of importance,— Trinity because they are important. They’re im- Land Status: BLM/Colorado River District owned land). Stay clear. THE NORTH-EAST CORNER OF CLAIM IS OFF LIMITS AS IT County: This claim is listed on page 210 portant to the chapter and they’re import- IS HAS A PIECE OF PATENTED PRIVATELY OWNED LAND THAT EXTENDS INTO CLAIM. of the Mining Guide. The BLM has erect- This area has many vertical mine shafts and some adits. Stay clear. These can be ed restoration signs on the south one-half very dangerous and ground may be unstable around them. of the claim and the campground is not usable. Survey stakes are in place and the north one-half of the claim is open. n ROCK CREEK RICHES — This claim was added in the June/July 2012 edition of the Pick & Shovel Gazette. A public works project (dam) required an amendment of this claim. The project is clearly marked at the northeast corner of the claim and the map and directions previously provided are unchanged.

Idaho n ELDORADO #8-H — Idaho County: This claim was added in the Au- gust/September 2011 edition of the Pick & Shovel Gazette. This claim is closed due to invalidation by BLM.

Montana n HELENA CLAIMS — Lewis & Clark County: These claims are listed on page 336 of the Mining Guide. These claims are closed due to their having been sold by the owner.

New Mexico n OLD DRY PLACER #1 — This claim is listed on page 365 of the Mining Guide. This claim is closed at the request of the owner. NEW CLAIM — MINING GUIDE — ARIZONA Continued on Page 17

PNS_JUN_JUL_2013.indd 15 5/16/13 9:00 AM 18 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013 PROSPECTOR profile Charlotte Foley She’s got the need for bling Metal detecting for lost jewelry draws Nevada’s Charlotte Foley to GPAA

By SARAH REIJONEN to stay in Vegas through the summer so For the GPAA she volunteered to take on the club secre- tarial role. Foley has also been the pres- Diamonds are Charlotte Foley’s best ident of the Alaska Treasure Seekers, a friend. metal detecting club, and is a member of “I’m after the jewelry,” said Foley, a the GPAA Anchorage Chapter. 62-year-old Gold Prospector’s Associa- Her injuries haven’t kept Foley from tion of America member and secretary of staying involved in the GPAA or from the Las Vegas GPAA Chapter. “Give me prospecting. a little bling, bling and I’m happy.” “I had my walker. I had my cane. I’ve Foley, who has retired from the Alaska been going out. I may not be able to stay Department of Transportation, got into out very long, but I have been prospect- prospecting after seeing a White’s metal ing,” Foley said. “I love to metal detect; detecting commercial on television. She it’s pretty much my main thing.” figured it would be a good way to get her Besides detecting parks in and around and her husband Brent out and about. her home near Anchorage and the deserts “My husband has diabetes, and I of Nevada, Foley has gone detecting in thought, well that would be a really good Arizona, California, Hawaii and Tennes- thing to motivate us to get out and go see. But, her best finds come from Oahu walking around ... so I called and I pur- where Foley unearthed a diamond neck- chased this White’s metal detector,” said lace and a pair of platinum earrings. Foley, a GPAA member for five years. “It was really, really fun, but you have Well, Brent didn’t really take to de- to do some research on some of the places tecting, but Foley was instantly attracted. you metal detect to find out how old the Above: Avid metal detectorist “If he’s not here, I take the motor park is, to know what kind of functions Las Vegas GPAA Chapter Sec- home out and go myself,” she said. go on in that park. The park in Hawaii I retary Charlotte Foley displays one of her many finds. Foley, who lives in Eagle River, Alas- found out used to be an old race track for ka, snowbirds in Vegas during the winter, the royalty, so that’s where I went look- Right: Snowbird Charlotte and first learned about the Vegas chap- ing,” Foley said. “But, you do need to do Foley shows off a sample of ter after bumping into Las Vegas GPAA some kind of research if you really want some of the jewelry she has Chapter President Deanna Costen. to find something worthwhile.” found in her travels. Foley “We came down because we were Sometimes that research involves takes her metal detector just about anywhere she goes and looking for somewhere to retire,” Foley waking up before the sun is shining, is quite often glad she did. said. “All of a sudden, I was in a store Foley said. somewhere and I heard ‘gold,’ and it “It’s funny, searching on the beach kind of perked my ears up, so I go over in Hawaii is not profitable,” she said. “I War bullets. And, I mean, it made your ter,” Foley said. “That was really kind of and I started talking to [Costen] about it would get up and go out at four o’clock heart rush to know you found something tear jerker.” and she told me about the chapter here in the morning. Well, they now have that was 100 years old — and it could Aside from metal detecting, Foley in Las Vegas. That’s probably about four these sand scoops that kind of recirculate have gone through somebody.” also does some panning when in Alaska years ago.” the sand. They go out there early in the Not only does Foley detect for fun, and drywashing when she’s in Vegas. Fo- This year Foley found herself with a morning to make the beaches look really but she has also used her metal detect- ley has childhood memories of running little extra motor home and Nevada des- nice and they catch the stuff before you ing skills to lend a helping hand. When a out after a rainstorm and panning for ert time. After breaking both of her an- get out there.” woman lost her treasured necklace con- gold in puddles in Fairbanks. Now Fo- kles, Foley was instructed by her doctor Foley has also detected battlefields in taining the cremated ashes of her sister, ley passes on her prospecting knowledge Tennessee. Costen called Foley to the rescue. to her eight-year-old grandson, Quinton, “I take my metal detector “I found it and they called the gal up who she takes out whenever she visits anywhere I go,” Foley said. “I and she was just ecstatic about having it him in Phoenix, Ariz. went out there and found Civil found because, you know, it was her sis- Growing up among streams and rivers, Foley has had to adjust her prospecting techniques in Vegas and the surrounding desert areas, where water is scarce. “It’s very interesting, the difference in prospecting. We have water in Alas- ka and down here there’s no water,” she said. One thing that rings true in both the desert and mountain GPAA clubs is the presence of good people, Foley said. “One of the other things I like about the club is meeting different people. It was amazing when I had my accident how many people called,” she said. “When my husband went back to Alas- ka, he asked me how I was going to get around, and I said, ‘Well, I got over 150 people I can call.’ It’s not like I’m alone here. It’s a lot of friendship ... there’s a lot of good-hearted people in the club.” Above: GPAA Las Vegas Chapter Secretary Charlotte Foley takes her grandson, Quinton Foley, metal detecting in a park south of Phoenix, Ariz., in February 2009. Sarah Reijonen is a freelance writer based in Left: Foley attends a metal detecting hunt in Quartzsite, Ariz., in January 2010. California. October/November 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 19 Members clean up claims, environment GPAA’s Adopt-a-Claim program encourages respect and responsibility By SARAH REIJONEN chapter receives 45,500 points annually. fill in their holes,’ we contact the chap- For the GPAA “What that really could entail is sim- ter that has adopted the claim to go out ply one visit to the site per year,” Es- Let’s say they’re there, inspect, take before pictures, rem- The Gold Prospectors Association carcega said. gonna do a six-hour edy the situation then take after pictures of America’s Adopt-a-Claim program Ideally, most of the chapters adopt and send them in to us for documenta- encourages local chapters to keep local claims that are nearby so chapters are day. They’ll do three tion,” Escarcega said. claims in tip-top shape. It allows the able to check on their claims on a regular Once a problem has been assessed GPAA to reach out, team up with mem- basis. Whether regular or intermittent, hours of cleanup and and expenditures for remedy of the bers and put boots on the ground across chapters are encouraged to keep claim situation have been approved by the the country. cleanup days exciting for members. they’ll spend three GPAA, the organization reimburses the “With more than 350 claims nation- “A lot of people who have adopted adopting chapter for all expenses paid wide, including Alaska, we aren’t able a claim will make their cleanup day or hours prospecting. to clean up and make improvements to to send staff out to make sure corner official Adopt-a-Claim day at a time the claim. posts are up, correct signage is up, peo- when they can get as many people out That’s a good way ... to To adopt a GPAA claim, contact ple aren’t dumping trash on the claims as possible,” Escarcega said. “Let’s say keep the adoption fun. Louis Escarcega at (951) 699-4749, ext. and that people are filling in their they’re gonna do a six-hour day. They’ll 187, or email him at lescarcega@gold- holes,” said GPAA Chapters Admin- do three hours of cleaning and they’ll prospectors.org. Include your chapter istrator Louis Escarcega. “We look to spend the other three hours prospect- attention. name, the name of the claim you wish to local chapters to adopt those claims to ing. That’s a good way to get people “When we get calls on a claim from adopt and its page in the GPAA Claims make sure those things are done.” involved and a good way to keep the any of our members who may say Club Membership Mining Guide. The Adopt-a-Claim program con- adoption fun.” ‘There’s trash out there’ or ‘I couldn’t nects chapters to nearby claims. Es- The GPAA also relies on members to find the claim because there were no Sarah Reijonen is a freelance writer based in carcegaJune/July compares 2013 it to the Adopt-a- call in and let us know if a Pickclaim &needs Shovel corner Gazette posts up’ or ‘Someone didn’t California. 19 Highway or Adopt-a-Trail programs, which encourage public involvement in keepingGOLD roads LIFE and trails clean. ContinuedBesides frominstilling Page 13a sense of pride Claims Club Membership Mining Guide Gold Prospectors Association of America in the claim, adopting a claim keeps the area “safeThe power from ofdamage involvement to natural NORTHLANDER #2 SEWARD DISTRICT resourcesIf not or for damage the many to local archaeological chapter mem - featuresbers, I don’tthat thinkexist anything on some would sites, have such been T6N R1W Sec. 05 as doneold toChinese oppose rockthe closure walls ofbuilt hundreds from of 40 acres tailings.thousands It ofalso acres contributes of public land. to The better sharing relationsof information, with the the agenciesproactive commitmentthat are re- to Seward Meridian sponsibleattend hearings, for overseeing make phonecalls these resourc and raise- USGS TOPO: Seward C-7 es,a makingvoice of access opposition easier when on necessaryfuture sites was GPS Coordinates & General Claim Information Directions, Comments & Member Reports as allwell that as was opening asked ofup those old accessesattending. thatSome havechose previously to get involved, been closedbut everyone to GPAA in that NE CORNER 60*38’47.04 by-149*29’57.75” Directions: members.room was exercising their GPAA lifetime SE CORNER 60*38’34.01” by-149*29’57.13” From Girwood, take Seward Hwy (AK1) for about 43.9 miles and turn right on dirt membershipChapters are benefits. rewarded for their care NW CORNER 60*38’47.34” by-149*30’23.7 road. You are at the claim. and involvementTo protect this freedom,with points. this way Each of life, SW CORNER 60*38’34.01 by-149*30’23.7” we must all do our part to keep gold prospecting and small-scale mining relevant. The Access: Just off main highway. GPAA member who attends hearings, de- Water: On Colorado Creek. mands a conversation with his public repre- Land Status: Anchorage Main Office sentatives, works with the BLM, U.S. Forest Service and other agencies to reopen closed roads and trails contributes in a direct way. The member who files a claim, uses public lands, finds gold, supports our economy and passes on the knowledge they have accumulated of effective precious mineral extraction also contributes in an important way to the preserva- tion and expansion of our mining industry. The member who attends “Gold Rush Days” at their local elementary schools and teaches our youth how to pan for gold and the importance of mineral extraction prepares the next generation of prospectors for their journey. And finally, but just as importantly, are the social prospectors who organize the outings, allowing families, friends and beginners the chance to get out and enjoy prospecting. Local GPAA chapter the meetings bring the small-scale mining communities together to discuss important issues, share knowledge and experience. Chapter members spend their own free time and money to the greater benefit of others for the sole satisfaction of enjoying quality time spent. They are our friends and neighbors, our mothers and sisters, our chapter presidents, treasurers, claims directors and chapter librarians who are inspiring the next generation of gold prospectors. Consider joining your local GPAA chapter by taking the first step and attending a meeting. If you are already involved, think about inviting one or two friends who might want to join you on the next outing. As Gold Life members, we can all have an impact on the future of gold prospecting one new member at a time. Brandon Johnson is the President of the Gold Prospectors Association of America and Lost Dutch- NEW CLAIM — MINING GUIDE — ALASKA man’s Mining association.

PNS_JUN_JUL_2013.indd 19 5/16/13 11:32 AM 20 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013

big gulps, flip flops are for the beach — not the backcountry Prospecting preparedness 101 Common sense and planning are key to successful outings By SARAH REIJONEN Outdoors For the GPAA

Skip your trip to 7-Eleven, and instead prepare your prospecting checklist from the comforts of your own home. That’s right, heading out to a Gold Essentials Prospectors Association of America claim is like taking on any other endeavor — go prepared or go home. 10 “It reminds me of being in the Boy Scouts,” said GPAA Claims Director Leonard Riley. “It’s been about 55 years for me, but I do remember the mantra, ‘Be prepared.’” As the claims director, Riley has received a few calls from prospectors who decided to stop and grab a Big Gulp on their way out the door instead of equip- 10 ping themselves with extra water and other necessities. Preparation is half the battle, and Riley said he wants to help 5 GPAA members get in the right mindset for their mission. Actually, it’s OK to stop at your favorite convenience store for snacks or last-minute items, as long as you already have the essentials — like extra water, food and clothing packed in your rig. Common sense is key. Big Gulps won’t sustain you in the desert and flip- flops and sandals are for the beach — not the backcountry. Riley said every trip should begin with a planning session around the 9 kitchen table. During that time, three phone calls should be made to various individuals and organizations. The first 4 call should go out to the chapter that is closest to the claim you plan to prospect. The second call should go to the state director, who will be knowledge- able about the claim as well as proce- 3 dures throughout the state. The final call should be made to the land management agency responsible for overseeing the land on which the claim is found. “The best place to start is the local chapter where the claim is located,” Ri- ley said. “Stick with members who have 2 done some prospecting and are used to going on outings. Do some reading and basic research online. Spend a few hours getting up to speed.” Aside from learning basic information about the claim, members can also learn the ins and outs of prospecting with the help of local chapter members. 1 “You can learn a lot from other mem- 7 bers,” Riley said. “They are anxious to 6 8 teach new members. There’s a lot of gold out there being missed because of impa- tience or because people are going too Navigation Illumination Hydration fast. These other members can teach the map and compass headlamp/flashlight Repair kit/tools extra water dynamics of finding gold. They can teach 1 4 7 9 newcomers how to read a river and they Sun protection Nutrition Emergency can teach them the geological features to sunglasses, sunscreen First-aid supplies extra food look for. These kinds of tips are invalu- 2 5 8 10 shelter able.” Insulation Fire State directors are another resource extra clothing waterproof matches/lighter/candle * PREPAREDNESS — Page 21 3 6

Claims are located in the wilderness, usually quite a distance from the nearest city. We’re not born with an appreciation of what can happen in the wilderness. Unfortunately, we usually learn that through trial and error ... You have to be prepared for things that might happen, but hopefully never will. — GPAA Claims Director Leonard Riley October/November 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 21

vehicle or a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. They mends a topographical map so members Classic 10 Essentials PREPAREDNESS will be able to tell whether gates are can study up on the terrain and eleva- • Map Continued from Page 20 locked or whether the member needs a tion and plan accordingly. He recom- • Compass members should consult before heading special permit. Things are not always ex- mends both Google Earth and the U.S. • Sunglasses and sunscreen out to a GPAA claim, Riley said. actly the way we think they might be.” Land Survey as helpful resources. Also, • Extra clothing “The state director will have infor- Don’t just think of the obvious needs members should study the GPAA Claims • Headlamp/flashlight mation on a state-wide basis,” he said. — a pick, shovel or pan — but make sure Club Membership Mining Guide and • First-aid supplies “They can recommend certain claims to to think outside the sluice box. Riley said make sure they have a working GPS be- • Firestarter members. They can give them some idea GPAA members heading out to a claim fore setting off on a group or solo outing. • Matches of what the claim is like: the topography; need to remember that most claims are Remember, your GPAA Mining • Knife whether they can drive in or have to walk located in the wilderness and are subject Guide is like your American Express • Extra food in; limitations one might have based on to critters and harsh conditions. card: Don’t leave home without it! the terrain; where one can park a car.” “Claims are located in the wilderness, In addition to maps, Riley recom- Updated 10 Essential “Systems” After contacting the local chapter usually quite a distance from the nearest mends having a spare tire, a jack and • Navigation (map and compass) and the state director, members should city,” Riley said. “We’re not born with even Fix-a-Flat — just make sure you • Sun protection (sunglasses and sun- get in touch with the land management an appreciation of what can happen in know how to use everything you bring, screen) agency responsible for the claimed land. the wilderness. Unfortunately, we usual- he said. • Insulation (extra clothing) This agency is usually either the Bureau ly learn that through trial and error. We “It’s like learning to fly an airplane, • Illumination (headlamp/flashlight) of Land Management or the U.S. Forest have to be respectful of that when going learning to scuba dive or sail a boat,” Ri- • First-aid supplies Service. into an environment that we’re not fa- ley said. “It is an endeavor that has its • Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/ “The member needs to call the land miliar with. After a while, you become own specific skill set.” candles) management agency to find out where more familiar, but there are some critters • Repair kit and tools the claim is located as well as for a cou- out there that can do you harm, such as Wilderness Survival Checklist • Nutrition (extra food) ple of other reasons. No. 1 Roads may snakes and scorpions. You have to be The original “Ten Essentials” list was • Hydration (extra water) be closed. There may have been a fire, prepared for things that might happen assembled in the 1930s by The Moun- • Emergency shelter flood or rockslide. Something may have but hopefully never will.” taineers, a Seattle-based organization — Source: www.rei.com happened yesterday and you don’t know Maps are one of the most useful and for climbers and outdoor adventurers. In about it,” Riley said. “The agency will necessary tools GPAA members will 2003, the group updated its list and pub- be able to tell members whether they need to get their hands on before heading lished it in the book, Mountaineering: Sarah Reijonen is a freelance writer based in can get through with a two-wheel-drive out to their desired claim. Riley recom- The Freedom of the Hills. California.

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ADD $10.50 FOR SHIPPING 22 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013 CHAPTER PRESIDENT BROWNSVILLE, ORE. Roy & Wendy Houtz

Mid-Valley Prospectors President Roy Houtz dredges on a claim in the Bohemia District in Oregon in 2008. The local GPAA chapter is based in Brownsville, Ore. Prospecting: The great escape Houtz family hunts for treasure, finds purpose

By SARAH REIJONEN For the GPAA

The average household owns five devices that are connected to the Internet, according the Tech Blog on Bloomberg.com. The Houtz family has eight. But, these devices are not smartphones, tablets or lap- tops; in fact, these devices don’t even connect to WiFi. No, Roy Houtz, his wife Wendy, and their 23-year-old daughter Tara, have eight metal detectors. Roy, who is the president of the local Gold Prospec- tors Association of America chapter in Brownsville, Ore., began prospecting 29 years ago, a year after mar- rying Wendy. A friend invited Houtz to go dredging on his claim in southern Oregon, and he was hooked. Not long after, Houtz discovered the GPAA on the Outdoor Channel and joined both the GPAA and LDMA. Before starting the Mid-Valley Prospectors chapter in 2008, Roy was driving nearly 200 miles round trip to Portland to attend GPAA meetings. A 55-year-old firefighter, Roy is the second president of the 30-person club halfway between Eugene and Corvallis, Ore. Above: GPAA Brownsville, The people are one of the main perks of prospecting, Ore., Chapter President Roy Roy said. Houtz hands out a prize at “You can always learn something from somebody,” the club’s panning booth at he said. the annual Pioneer Picnic Roy and Wendy also share their love of prospecting in 2011. because it gets them into the outdoors and away from all those other pesky devices. Left: Mid-Valley Prospec- “You don’t have to worry about the phone ringing tors Chapter Member Wen- and people bugging you on the phone for whatever ready Houtz congratulates a son. I just like getting in the outdoors,” Roy said. “You lucky winner at the panning can sit there cooking dinner and have a deer wander demonstration booth at the right through camp. It’s amazing, just getting out in the annual Pioneer Picnic in outdoors. Prospecting is kind of like hunting; it’s a good Brownsville, Ore., in 2013. excuse to go camping.” Getting out into nature isn’t just about a physical escape, but also supports one’s mental stability, Wendy floods coming though and different things.” keep the land open for everyone. said. Like the prospectors in California, Oregon miners “We got to take care of our area,” Roy said. “Some- “We all need to get away, because everybody’s ready are also facing new restrictions on dredging. Roy said times there is garbage left behind after camping. Those to strangle their bosses or something,” she said. “Up the state is trying to apply a moratorium much like the guys are gonna shut this down for everybody. That there we have no cell service, so no phones. We can one in its neighboring state. For now, the permit prices means that we have to come in and clean up the trash take them with us, but just remember they won’t work.” for dredging have increased and the state has limited the these people leave, and it takes away from our time Besides eight detectors in the family, Roy also has number of dredging permits to 850, he said. mining.” three dredges and a case of gold fever. Besides writing letters to their state representatives, Education and recruiting new prospectors is the only “People say, ‘What are you gonna do when you find Roy said he and his chapter are active in educating the way to keep mining in the United States alive and well, it?’ When I find it, I’ll worry about it then,” he said. public about dredging and the positive effects it has on Roy said. With all those metal detectors, he isn’t just looking fish habitats. The club gives demonstrations at nearby “We’re trying to get everybody involved, trying to for gold, but also for treasures, such as jewelry. businesses as well as at the annual Pioneer Picnic. keep the legacy of gold mining going and teaching peo- “When my husband first went out he said, ‘It’s going “We’ve done stuff with Cabela’s in Springfield, pro- ple that yes, there is still gold out there,” he said. “You to take me years to find my first ring.’ Well, he found moting the GPAA and prospecting,” he said. “We’ve don’t have to go out there for the gold. You go out to two that evening,” Wendy said. been trying to let people know what we do and that have fun, and gold is the reward of doing it. It’s a lot Back in July, Roy found his best treasure yet. dredging is beneficial to fish, contrary to what they tell of fun. It will be kind of a lost art if we don’t keep new “I found some pretty nice rings with my metal detec- you in the papers.” people coming in, younger people coming in.” tor,” he said. “Last month I found a nice men’s 14-car- Another challenge the chapter faces is teaching folks at gold ring ... you never know what you’ll find with to respect nature and clean up after themselves in order to Sarah Reijonen is a freelance writer based in California. October/November 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 23

Gold Dust and Wanderlust ‘Country girl’ takes life on the road, again By SARAH REIJONEN the shiny stuff ’til the day he dies. For the GPAA Upon returning from our travels, we lived the RV life for two years and Four years ago, my husband and I worked on the road throughout Califor- chose to quit our jobs, sell our house and nia. We were free from the stresses of a 80 acres in northeast Washington and mortgage and most other bills. That was travel the world for seven months. We’ve living! During those two years, gold led been going ever since. us up and down Hwy. 49 in Gold Coun- In June, I published my first book try. It took us up the awe-inspiring Feath- chronicling those exciting seven months er River Canyon. It took us on desert of globe trotting in a memoir entitled, four-wheeler rides through Quartzsite, Country Girl: Letting Love and Wander- Ariz. and into the Mojave Desert just lust Take the Reins. outside of Randsburg, Calif. Much like gold, there is something Finally, gold led us to a little creek magical about the wide-open road. Many in Placerville, Calif., where we decid- of you who are retired can relate; you ed to “settle down” again. My husband live for both. Ultimately, you live for worked that creek for a year until he was adventure in the great unknown. You convinced he had milked it for all the live for the camaraderie of fellow pros- gold it was worth — then we sold our pectors. You live to see the beauty built second home. We loved our little house by the hands of our maker. That’s what I on the creek dearly, but our bones craved want. That’s what I live for. That’s what the road, that great unknown. Plus, like I I continue to seek during my return trip said, the gold was all gone. this fall to New Zealand and Australia. As George “Buzzard” Massie said, “If My husband, Chris, a.k.a “Spanky,” you can find gold out there, you’re not gon- and I first discovered prospecting during na get rich at it; sometimes you won’t find our month-long stint in Australia. I any, but I’ll tell you what you will find out didn’t cling to it right away as Spanky here — you’ll find freedom, folks.” did, but it has grown on me over time. We’re heading out to find our little Ultimately, I can appreciate prospecting piece of freedom. We’re going to stake for what it has added to my life. We have our claim in the world. We’re off again always loved the outdoors, but prospect- as gold takes my husband and I back ing created a new draw to nature. to New Zealand and Australia for three months this fall, and we might not get Down Under rich doing it (we can only hope), but we Oh, the places you’ll go when gold certainly won’t regret the journey. is involved. Prospecting first led us to a Above: The author, Sarah Rei- dusty Outback mine outside of Kilkivan “So ... jonen, does some metal detect- in Queensland, Australia. Then we were be your name Buxbaum ing in the goldfields. Left: Chris lured in by sapphires in where else but or Bixby or Bray “Spanky” Reijonen is an avid Sapphire in Queensland, Australia. or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea, gold prospector and gem hunter. By the time we reached New Zealand, you’re off to Great Places! Below: Gold dust and wander- Spanky was hooked and he futilely be- Today is your day! lust are the perfect combination gan jumping into streams and rivers with Your mountain is waiting. for Chris and Sarah Reijonen. a pan in hand. At the time, he didn’t know So ... get on your way!” what he was doing, but he still found his first flake right there in Kiwi territory. Sarah Reijonen is a freelance writer based I remember the look in his eyes — that in California. She can be reached at sarah shimmer — and I knew he’d be chasing [email protected]

Book available online for Kindle

Title: Country Girl: Letting Love and Wanderlust Take the Reins Author: Sarah Reijonen Genre: Travel Memoir/Armchair Travel Pages: 244 Publisher: Little Camper Publishing Company (2013) Price: $14.95 Availability: Book is available on Amazon and via Kindle. It is also available at limited stores throughout Washington State. For more information, visit www.sarahreijonen.com or email the author at [email protected].

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. — Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss 24 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013 CHAPTERS CORNER Grant helps Idaho teachers learn how to mine for gold All new Family Fun Zone launched at Gold & Treasure Expo in Reno By LOUIS ESCARCEGA To answer these questions, GPAA Chapters Administrator some of the teachers’ activities included learning how to pan for I always like to hear sto- gold and how to locate a mining ries of greenhorns teaming up claim using principal meridian, Photos by Tom Kohler with one or more of our local township, range, and section. Above: Teachers in iSTEM’s The Math and Ecology of Placer Mining course pose with their equipment, ready to find GPAA chapters. Being a newbie The teachers teamed up with gold at Eagle Creek near Prichard, Idaho. Bottom left: Teachers feed paydirt into a very effective piece of homemade myself and the Caribou GPAA Chapter on a equipment provided by “Pee Wee” and Bob Lowe. Bottom right: Tom Kohler gives refresher panning lessons to teach- feeling wel- field trip to look at heavy-duty ers at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. comed by all mining equipment. Part of their of our chap- outing with Mario Poletti, presi- ter members dent of the Caribou chapter, and who I’ve had some of the other Idaho Falls the chance to chapter members was to build meet at out- a piece of mining equipment. Louis Escarcega ings, Gold & This year’s project was build- Treasure Ex- ing rocker boxes. This was a pos or this year’s GPAA Chapter real hands-on experience. They Summit in Las Vegas, you have didn’t just see it; they did it! all made me feel like family. Kohler has written many When I helped to coordinate grants in the past that have been a recent Chapter Membership approved including one asking Kit Sale, I knew there were to pay for expenses to take the some greenhorns that were teachers out to mine. Currently, about to be “loved on!” Kohler has written a grant ask- Recently, GPAA member ing for funds to purchase mining the small-scale mining com- next generation of miners. attend one of the upcoming Thomas Kohler, who is also a equipment for this group and munity and all it has to offer. The next step was to take the Gold & Treasure Expos, please member of the GPAA’s Caribou he says, “The teachers will use For the remaining 2013 expos, Family Fun Zone on the road, and contact your chapter officers for Chapter in Idaho Falls, Idaho their memberships, knowledge, the booth will offer the oppor- that’s exactly what we did at the a volunteer application so we applied for a government grant and newly found gold fever to tunity to participate in hands-on Gold & Treasure Expo in Reno. can get your name on the roster. to pay for 32 one-year GPAA pass along the ‘Prospecting 101’ experience in three areas of our Larry Robbins, president of the memberships for some of his to their students.” industry, all free of charge: Northern Nevada GPAA Chapter Join or start a GPAA fellow teachers in Idaho and the Way to go Thomas! And • Gold panning lessons and many of its members stepped chapter in your area funds were awarded. many thanks to Mario Poletti • A rock craft station with ge- up and facilitated the booth all on For those GPAA, LDMA and Kohler and the rest of this and the GPAA Caribou Chapter ology lesson their own. With a steady flow of Lifetime members who don’t group take part annually in the of the GPAA. • A scavenger/treasure hunt kids of all ages throughout the yet belong to a local GPAA Idaho Science, Technology, En- for prizes. two-day event, there was always chapter, they are free to join and gineering and Math Summer Family Fun Zone There are plans for the future panning to do and fun to be had your best bet for meeting new conference where Kohler head- An email recently went out to add the following activities: — not to mention a speed pan- friends and finding more gold! ed up placer-based education. to the GPAA chapters that are Metal detecting hunts, pioneer ning lesson for Yours Truly in Need we say more? For more This year specifically: The Math hosting the five remaining 2013 activities and story time. which I went head to head with information about joining or and Ecology of Placer Mining. Gold & Treasure Expos request- Recently, Dale Wahlfeldt, GPAA Executive Director of Op- starting a GPAA chapter in your Kohler and the faculty of dif- ing help with an all new feature President of the Inland Empire erations Dominic Ricci. area, please call me at 1-800- ferent Idaho schools were look- being offered — the GPAA Prospectors, the GPAA chapter The smiles on the kids’ faces 551-9707 or send an email. ing to answer some questions Gold & Treasure Expo Fami- based out of Highland, Calif. told all of us at the Gold Pros- such as: ‘What are the costs ly Fun Zone. This activity area and a handful of people from the pectors Association of America Louis Escarcega is the Chapters of having a mining company? was created and is provided for GPAA tested out the Family Fun all we need to know. The Fam- Administrator for the Gold Prospec- Would it be profitable to mine kids of all ages and is geared to Zone at three local area Boys and ily Fun Zone is a hit! If this fun tors Association of America. He can in this area? Is it harmful to the introduce them as next gener- Girls club and they could instant- is something you want to be a be reached at gpaachapters@gold environment?’ among others. ation of gold prospectors into ly tell this would be a hit with the part of, and you are planning to prospectors.org.

MAINE Ted Van Houten 740-485-0256 Gloria Campbellton 207-582-2677 Harold Walters 740-687-1184 GPAA State Directors Jack Duggins 207-582-9267 OREGON MARYLAND Robert Rasey 503-397-3047 Jody Francisco 240-361-7798 Robert Wedding 503-761-0635 ALABAMA PENNSYLVANIA Scott Holland 205-370-5595 Featured State Director MASSACHUSETTS Joseph Doren 814-342-2661 Miner Mike Finlay 334-756-3842 Timothy English 413-695-0809 This issue’s featured GPAA state MICHIGAN TENNESSEE ALASKA director is Derroll E. Ross of Texas. Robert Bednarick 231-920-9439 Bryan Barner 423-519-2497 Joe Demaree 907-283-7808 Jaimie Wright 269-731-5139 TEXAS ARIZONA See story on Page 13. MISSOURI Derroll Ross 940-325-5822 Fred Siekmann 480-947-8617 Doug Foster 816-686-3457 ILLINOIS UTAH Donald Savill 520-378-0303 Chris Stuewe 708-473-4690 MONTANA Michael Quinn 801-808-0343 Deanna Costen 702-452-1049 Kevin Grasser 406-628-8314 INDIANA WASHINGTON CALIFORNIA NEVADA Edward Romine 812-736-1375 Donald Kirst 360-808-3397 Pucky Junghans 925-672-1863 Deanna Costen 702-452-1049 Ray Wilkerson 760-598-6441 IOWA WEST VIRGINIA NEW MEXICO Howard Ron White 319-936-7291 Joe Smoot 304-972-1976 Nancy Roberts 559-681-5144 Larry Lovett 915-585-6323 Jim Deweese 304-882-2578 COLORADO KANSAS Paul Rockhold 505-250-5529 WISCONSIN Howard Martsolf 970-523-1357 Randy DonCarlos 785-231-0860 NORTH CAROLINA Mike Flint 608-372-0694 CONNECTICUT Glenn Coleman 704-299-2808 KENTUCKY Paul Pogrant 920-960-9406 Lester Kemble 860-228-8037 Harry Powell 910-638-1729 Raymond Marting 740-533-0259 WYOMING IDAHO LOUISIANA OHIO Rick Messina 307-234-0244 Roger Monson 208-303-7541 Thomas Caughlin 318-259-4453 Bud Kaczor 440-734-4027 October/November 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 25

(TEMECULA, CA) [email protected] (ALLEGHANY, PA) Jack Barber • 951-595-0942 MINNESOTA Sean McGarry • 330-793-5357 [email protected] (KASSON, MN) (PORT MATILDA, PA) June/July 2013 (REDDING, CA) Pick & ShovelJohn Gazette Wilkus • 507-835-2761 Robert Seager • 717-935-5384 25 J.R. Brandvold • 530-356-9389 [email protected] [email protected] ernestbrandvold@yahoo(REDDING, CA) .com MINNESOTA(Stillwater , MN) SOUTH(NEW CAROLINA OXFORD, PA) COLORADO J.R. Brandvold • 530-356-9389 (KASSON,Robin Stiller MN) • 651-592-4601 (Seneca Gale, SC) Livelsberger • 717-817-7569 (COLORADO [email protected] SPRINGS, CO) atomic_styles@yahoo John Wilkus • 507-835-2761.com Dan Crawford [email protected] • 864-843-6729 COLORADO [email protected] (PORT MATILDA, PA) Ron Woods • 719-597-6104 MISSISSIPPI [email protected] (COLORADO SPRINGS, CO) (STILLWATER, MN) Robert Seager • 717-935-5384 [email protected] (simpsonville, SC) Ron Woods • 719-597-6104 (Biloxi , RobinMS) Stiller • 651-592-4601 [email protected] (DENVER, CO) Jim Young • 228-326-2796 Wayne Schook • 864-963-0821 The best way to get the most out of your GPAA/ [email protected] [email protected] SOUTH CAROLINA Johnny Walker • 720-523-3386 [email protected] [email protected] LDMA membership is to join a local chapter. johnny@denvergpaa(DENVER, CO) .org MISSISSIPPI (SENECA, SC) TENNESSEE (DURANGO, Johnny CO) Walker • 720-523-3386 MISSOURI (BILOXI , MS) Dan Crawford • 864-843-6729 Chapters are free to join and designed to help, [email protected] Daryl Rice • 228-474-1080 ([email protected] CREEK, TN) Toby Walker • 970-946-1774 (ST. JOSEPH, MO) teach, advise and inform members! Chapters (DURANGO, CO) [email protected] (SIMPSONVILLEChuck Pharis • 818-802-1603, SC) [email protected] Melvin Altis • 816-628-5493 are a great way to share your passion for gold Toby Walker • 970-946-1774 MISSOURI chuck@pharis-videoWayne Schook • 864-963-0821.com (GOLDEN, CO) [email protected] prospecting with others! [email protected] (ST. JOSEPH, MO) [email protected] Joe Johnston • 303-696-6950 (ST. LOUIS, MO) (SUGARTREE, TN) LOCAL GPAA CHAPTERS (GOLDEN, CO) Jim Wilson Melvin • 618-974-9857 Altis • 816-628-5493 TENNESSEEMike Coto • 713-549-4878 president@foothillsprospectors Joe Johnston • 303-696-6950.com [email protected] (COKER CREEK, TN) ALABAMA [email protected] [email protected] (GRAND [email protected], CO) (ST. LOUIS, MO) Chuck Pharis • 818-802-1603 The(CRAGFORD, best way to get AL) the most out of your GPAA/LDMA (WELLINGTON, MO) Howard(GRAND Martsolf JUNCTION, • 970-523-1357 CO) Jim Wilson • 618-974-9857 TEXAS [email protected] membershipBill Lambeth is to join• 334-864-8197 a local chapter. Chapters are Roenna Johnston (ABILENE, TX) free to join and designed to help, teach, advise and goldcatcher74@yahoo Howard Martsolf.com • 970-523-1357 [email protected] (SUGARTREE, TN) [email protected] [email protected] inform members! Chapters are a great way to share (OLATHE, [email protected] CO) (WELLINGTON, MO) HarleyMike Sadler Coto •• 713-549-4878325-513-8657 ALASKAyour passion for gold prospecting with others! (OLATHE,Marlin Littlefield CO) • 970-399-7557 MONTANA Randy Don Carlos • 785-231-0860 harleysadler@[email protected] (ANCHORAGE,AK) marlinlt@skybeam Marlin Littlefield.com • 970-399-7557 (BELGRADE, [email protected] MT) TEXAS(EL PASO, TX) ALABAMABill Dunlevy • 907-337-5668 CONNECTICUT [email protected] MONTANAEarl Wortman • 406-600-3812 Pete(EL PASO, Rosh TX)• 915-755-0295 (FAIRBANKS, (CRAGFORD, AK) AL) CONNECTICUT(DANIELSON, CT) earlwortman@gmail(BELGRADE, MT) .com elpasoprospectors@att Pete Rosh • 915-755-0295.net Craig Smith Bill Lambeth • 907-456-1994 • 334-864-8197 Lester(DANIELSON, Kemble CT)• 860-228-8037 (BILLINGS, Earl MT) Wortman • 406-763-4480 (GRANBURY, [email protected] TX) interioralaskagpaa@gmail [email protected] lkemble@charter Lester Kemble.net • 860-228-8037 Melvin(BILLINGS, Waymire MT) • 406-860-1624 (GRANBURY,John Hammons TX) • 817-905-2417 ALASKA(KENAI,AK) FLORIDA [email protected] mrgrumpysgold@gmail Melvin Waymire •. com406-860-1624 gpaa77@yahoo John Hammons.com • 817-905-2417 Joe(ANCHORAGE,AK) Demaree • 907-398-7808 FLORIDA(BRANFORD, FL) (LINCOLN, [email protected] MT) (GREENVILLE, [email protected] TX) (BRANFORD, FL) (LINCOLN, MT) (GREENVILLE, TX) ARIZONA Bill Dunlevy • 907-337-5668 Gerda Godwin • 386-496-1280 Bob Rosteck • 406-453-9050 Don Brisendine • 903-725-7960 ARIZONA Gerda Godwin • 386-496-1280 Bob Rosteck • 406-453-9050 Don Brisendine • 903-725-7960 (PARKER, AZ) (ORLANDO, FL) [email protected] (PARKER, AZ) (ORLANDO, FL) NEVADANEVADA [email protected] Angel Lund • 760-627-4027 Thomas Davis • 407-625-6926 (ROUND ROCK, TX) Angel Lund • 760-627-4027 Thomas Davis • 407-625-6926 (LAS (LAS VEGAS, VEGAS, NV) NV) (ROUND ROCK, TX) [email protected] [email protected] Kevin Green • 512-310-8111 [email protected] [email protected] Deanna Deanna Costen Costen • 702-452-1049 • 702-452-1049 Kevin Green • 512-310-8111 GEORGIA (PHOENIX, (PHOENIX, AZ) AZ) GEORGIA dcosten@cox [email protected] kevin@roundrockgpaa [email protected] (AUGUSTA, GA) Fred Siekmann Fred Siekmann • 480-947-8617 • 480-947-8617 (AUGUSTA, GA) (RENO, (RENO, NV) NV) (WICHITA (WICHITA FALLS, FALLS, TX) TX) Charles Lott • 706-631-7753 arizonagold@cox [email protected] Charles Lott • 706-631-7753 Larry Robbins Larry Robbins • 775-475-0258 • 775-475-0258 Alan Davis Alan • Davis940-357-9075 • 940-357-9075 charleslott77©yahoo.com (PRESCOTT (PRESCOTT VALLEY, VALLEY, AZ) AZ) charleslott77©yahoo.com gpaainforenochapter@yahoo [email protected] adavis .dcsi@sbcglobal [email protected] Bobby BobbyShearon Shearon • 928-775-2506 • 928-775-2506 (BUCHANAN, (BUCHANAN, GA) GA) NEW MEXICO VIRGINIAUTAH NEW MEXICO pvprospectors@gmail [email protected] Alan McCary Alan McCary • 770-927-7787 • 770-927-7787 (ALAMOGORDO, NM) (H illsville(SALT LAKE, VA) CITY, UT) (ALAMOGORDO, NM) (SIERRA (SIERRA VISTA, VISTA, AZ) AZ) IDAHOIDAHO Albert Sims • 575-437-8594 Bill Humble Doug • McCart276-251-2198 • 801-301-9931 Albert Sims • 575-437-8594 Tom Tierney Tom Tierney • 520-378-3294 • 520-378-3294 (IDAHO (IDAHO FALLS, FALLS, ID) ID) [email protected] sw. va.gpaachapter@gmail [email protected] .com [email protected] (SHOW (SHOW LOW, LOW, AZ) AZ) Mario Poletti Mario Poletti• 208-785-7477 • 208-785-7477 (DEMING, NM) WASHINGTONVIRGINIA [email protected] NEW JERSEY Russ Schumacher • 575-545-4641 (HILLSVILLE, VA) Ron Ream Ron • Ream 928-242-2310 • 928-242-2310 [email protected] (AUBURN, WA) [email protected] (NAMPA, ID) NEW(CLARK, JERSEY NJ) Bill Humble • 276-251-2198 [email protected] (NAMPA, ID) John Dawson • 253-833-2255 (TUCSON, AZ) Cary Singleton • 208-863-3580 Stephen(CLARK, NJ)Wien • 201-463-0360 [email protected] (TUCSON, AZ) Wayne Evans • 208-454-8996 (EVERETT, WA) David Steimle • 520-294-5074 [email protected] steve_wien@hotmail Stephen Wein .•com 201-463-0360 WASHINGTON David Steimle • 520-294-5074 [email protected]@cableone.net Eras Gattshall • 425-263-2293 [email protected] (TWIN (TWIN FALLS, FALLS, ID/SNAKE ID/SNAKE R.) R.) NEW YORK [email protected] (AUBURN, WA) [email protected] (LONGVIEW, WA) ARKANSAS Brad Dey Brad • 208-280-0538 Dey • 208-280-0538 (CORTLAND,NEW YORK NY) John Dawson • 253-833-2255 ARKANSAS Robert Costello • 360-274-3396 (FAYETVILLE, AR) thedore@cableone [email protected] Danny(CORTLAND, Miller •NY) 607-524-8401 (EVERETT, WA) (FAYETVILLE, AR) ILLINOIS Danny Miller • 607-524-8401 (PORT ORCHARD, Eras Gattshall WA) • 425-263-2293 Tony Barnhill • 479-871-1287 ILLINOIS [email protected] Tony Barnhill • 479-871-1287 (ALSIP, IL) [email protected] Lonny(LONGVIEW, Meadows WA) • 253-333-8931 [email protected] (ALSIP, IL) NORTH CAROLINA CALIFORNIApatricia.barnhill@tyson .com Chris Stuewe • 708-473-4690 NORTH CAROLINA ldmeadows6@gmail Robert Costello.com • 360-274-3396 Chris Stuewe • 708-473-4690 (ABERDEEN, NC) CALIFORNIA (BAKERSFIELD, CA) [email protected] (ABERDEEN, NC) (RENTON, (PORT ORCHARD, WA) WA) [email protected] Harry Powell • 910-638-1729 (BAKERSFIELD, Gil Angelo CA) • 661-301-4409 (ROCK ISLAND, IL) Harry Powell • 910-638-1729 Brian Kushin Lonny • Meadows 206-922-2408 • 253-333-8931 (ROCK ISLAND, IL) [email protected] Adolph [email protected] Lostaunau • 661-586-5395 Ben Nicholson • 309-368-9741 [email protected] (VANCOUVER, [email protected] WA) Ben Nicholson • 309-368-9741 (MATTHEWS, NC) alostaunau@yahoo (BREA, CA) .com [email protected] (MATTHEWS, NC) Al(RENTON, Lewis • 971-235-8308 WA) [email protected] Glenn Coleman • 704-299-2808 (BREA, CA) Max Maxilom • 626-488-9310 (JACKSONVILLE, IL) Glenn Coleman • 704-299-2808 countryal@msn Brian Kushin.com • 206-922-2408 (JACKSONVILLE, IL) [email protected] Max Maxilom [email protected] • 626-488-9310 Edward Long • 217-245-1465 [email protected] (VANCOUVER, WA) Edward Long • 217-245-1465 NORTH DAKOTA WEST VIRGINIA aunut2k@hotmail(CHICO, CA) .com [email protected] NORTH DAKOTA Al Lewis • 971-235-8308 [email protected] (BISMARCK, ND) (NEW HAVEN, WV) (CHICO, CA) Mark Thompson • 530-520-5134 INDIANA (BISMARCK, ND) [email protected] INDIANA (GATESVILLE, IN) Terry Hoe Terryrer Hoerer • 701-226-6325 • 701-226-6325 WESTJeff VIRGINIA Jeffers • 304-275-0832 Mark(CONCORD, Thompson CA) • 530-520-5134 Brian Ramos • 925-603-3271 (GATESVILLE, Jim Mcintyre IN) • 812-614-3477 ndgpa@yahoo [email protected] (NITRO, (NEW HAVEN,WV) WV) (CONCORD, CA) [email protected] Edward [email protected] Romine • 812-736-1375 OHIO David Kessler Jim DeWeese • 304-546-3309 • 304-882-2578 Brian Ramos • 925-603-3271 OHIO (FRESNO, CA) E(GREENSBURG,.romine@frontier IN).com (BELLVILLE, OH) (CRAIGSVILLE, [email protected] WV) [email protected] (BELLVILLE, OH) Nancy Roberts • 559-681-5144 (GREENSBURG, Edward IN)Romine • 812-736-1375 Dennis Staskiewicz • 973-726-9831 Larry(NITRO, Board WV) • 304-742-5097 (FRESNO, CA) Dennis Staskiewicz • 937-726-9831 [email protected] Jim Mcintyre [email protected] • 812-614-3477 [email protected] larry_board@yahoo David Kessler. com• 304-546-3309 Nancy Roberts • 559-681-5144 [email protected] (HESPERIA, CA) [email protected] (LUCASVILLE, OH) (SMITHVILLE, (CRAIGSVILLE, WV) WV) [email protected] (LUCASVILLE, OH) Robert Fredlund • 951-314-0439 (MALCOM, IA) Harold Walters • 740-687-1184 Bob Whitcomb Larry Board • 304-477-3927 • 304-742-5097 (HESPERIA, CA) IOWA Harold Walters • 740-687-1184 [email protected] Jerry Rhan • 641-485-4716 (HARRISON, OH) awardart@zoominternet [email protected] Robert Fredlund • 951-314-0439 (MALCOM, [email protected] IA) (HARRISON, Jim HancockOH) • 513-885-0531 WISCONSIN (HIGHLAND, CA) WISCONSIN hrfred@hotmail Dale Wahlfeldt.com • 909-437-2765 KANSASJerry Rhan • 641-485-4716 Jim Hancock [email protected] • 513-885-0531 (GREENBUSH, WI) (GREENBUSH, WI) (HIGHLAND, [email protected] CA) goldpanman@ymail(WICHITA, KS) .com [email protected] Ronald Smith • 920-892-4092 Ronald Smith • 920-892-4092 Dale(HEMET, Wahlfeldt CA) • 909-437-2765 KANSAS Dan Reisig • 316-207-3390 OKLAHOMA (ADA, OK) [email protected] [email protected] dwahlfeldt@hotmail Arnold Shields.com • 951-544-0145 (Wichita [email protected], KS) (OKLAHOMA Phil Roblin CITY, OK)• 580-320-3424 (RICE LAKE, WI) (RICE LAKE, WI) (HEMET, [email protected]) LOUISIANADan Reisig • 316-207-3390 Mike(OKLAHOMA Pung • 405-736-6282 CITY, OK) Mike Wiersma • 715-523-2748 Mike Wiersma • 715-523-2748 Arnold(PASO ROBLES,Shields • CA)951-544-0145 dan@wichitagpaa(ALEXANDRIA, LA).org mcwood@iglide Mike Pung.net • 405-736-6282 usmike@mchsicom ajshields48@yahoo David Fauset. com• 805-610-5223 LOUISIANA Thomas Caughlin • 318-259-4453 [email protected] (TOMAH,usmike@mchsicom WI) [email protected] [email protected] OREGONOREGON (TOMAH, Mike WI) Flint • 608-372-0694 (PASO ROBLES, CA) (ALEXANDRIA, LA) MAINE (BROWNSVILLE, (BROWNSVILLE, OR) OR) Mike Flint [email protected] • 608-372-0694 (SACRAMENTO,David Fauset • 805-610-5223 CA) Thomas Caughlin • 318-259-4453 (WINDSOR, ME) Wendy WendyHoutz •Houtz 541-990-6214 • 541-990-6214 (WAUSAU, WI) ccgpprez@yahoo Jim Hutchings.com • 530-367-5108 [email protected] [email protected] Phillip Moulton • 207-660-7563 fire _frog606@yahoo fire [email protected] Kurt Bublitz • 715-340-2831 (Redding [email protected], CA) MAINE (WAUSAU, WI) [email protected] (KLAMATH FALLS, OR) [email protected] Robert (Bob) O’Connor • 530-221-0998 (WINDSOR, ME) (KLAMATH FALLS, OR) Kurt Bublitz • 715-340-2831 (SAN DIEGO, CA) MARYLAND James Simington • 541-851-0374 WYOMING Phillip Moulton • 207-660-7563 James Simington • 541-851-0374 [email protected] rcooconnor@att Chester Nowicki.net • 760-747-1165 (FREDERICK, MD) (PORTLAND, OR) (CASPER, WY) (PORTLAND, OR) WYOMING (SACRAMENTO, [email protected] CA) mainegoldpanna32@aol Jody Francisco • 240-361-7798.com Richard Ruth • 503-663-9087 Rick Messina • 307-234-0244 Jim Hutchings • 530-367-5108 MARYLAND Richard Ruth • 503-663-9087 (CASPER, WY) (SAN JOSE, CA) [email protected] richard [email protected]@comcast.com [email protected] jhutchings22@hotmail Mike Phillips .com MASSACHUSETTS(FREDERICK, MD) (ROSEBURG, OR) Rick(CHEYENNE, Messina WY)• 307-234-0244 (ROSEBURG, OR) (SAN DIEGO,[email protected] CA) Jody(GREENFIELD, Francisco MA)• 240-361-7798 Walt Evens• 541-459-3489 wooddoctor4@msn Ken Siders • 307-514-0033.com Walt Evens • 541-459-3489 Chester Nowicki • 760-747-1165 jodylaurafrancisco@yahoo Timothy English • 413-695-0809.com PENNSYLVANIA (CHEYENNE, [email protected] WY) (STOCKTON, CA) [email protected] MASSACHUSETTS [email protected] PENNSYLVANIA (ST. PETERS, PA) Ken(GILLETTE, Siders • WY) 307-514-0033 Robert Guardiola • 209-606-0085 (SAN JOSE, CA) MICHIGAN(GREENFIELD, MA) (ST. PETERS, Dave PA) Buzzard • 610-431-4693 ken43ken43@yahoo Bill Kocher • 307-682-7055.com [email protected] Mike Phillips Timothy(REMUS, EnglishMI) • 413-695-0809 Dave [email protected] • 610-431-4693 (GILLETTE, [email protected] WY) kitfoxchumash@yahoo (TEMECULA, CA) .com timster6154@yahoo Bob Bednarick.com • 231-920-9439 presidentdelawarevalleygpaa@yahoo(ALLEGHANY, PA) .com Bill(SHERIDAN, Kocher • 307-682-7055 WY) (STOCKTON, Jack BarberCA) • 951-595-0942 MICHIGAN [email protected] (NEW OXFORD, Sean McGarry PA) • 330-793-5357 wmkocher5@yahoo Ed Kline • 307-683-2821.com Robert [email protected] • 209-606-0085 (CADILLAC, MI) Gale Livelsberger • 717-817-7569 (SHERIDAN, WY) [email protected] If you need to changeBob Bednarick or add chapter• 231-920-9439 information, please email [email protected]@gmail.com or call 1-800-551-9707.Ed Kline • 307-683-2821 All changes must be submitted in writing by email or regular mail and must be requested by a current chapter officer. If you need to change or add chapter information, please email [email protected] or call 1-800-551-9707. All changes must be submitted in writing by email or regular mail and must be requested by a current chapter officer. GPAA CHAPTERS START A CHAPTER IN YOUR AREA TODAY! CALL 800.551.9707 OR EMAIL [email protected] TO FIND OUT HOW!

PNS_JUN_JUL_2013.indd 25 5/16/13 8:44 AM 26 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013 MINER’S MARKETPLACE

40-Acre Panning Concentrates for smelting. Graphite Molds-Steel $1,299 — electric $1,199. Price in- Unpatented mining claim near Rich and Gold Nuggets Molds-Crucibles-Tongs DIY Books, cludes delivery to lower 48 states Pick & Shovel Gazette Hill (Stanton Arizona) $3,500. Call Bret Gold panning gravel salted with Flux Gloves, Safety Equipment. Call (714) 848-5424 steve@makeyou- (928) 580-7152 or (760) 665-2628 coarse grains and nuggets. Great for us for a FREE Catalog www.makeyou- rowngoldbars.com practicing your panning skills. Also, rowngoldbars.com steve@makeyou- Classified Advertising Gold for Sale have gold nuggets by the gram. For rowngoldbars.com (714) 848-5424 Too Much Equipment Beautiful So-California high desert information, write P.O. Box 2263 Ben- Gold Magic $325, Blue Bowl $60 and nuggets and lotsa fines found with tonville, AR 72712 Wetsuits Falcon Gold Tracker MD10S/P $80. metal detector and drywasher. Buy Adult 5X thru kid sizes — Neoprene Call Jim (920) 553-1280 RATES the claim? I’ll help you find the gold. East and West Gold Maps boots thru size 16 in stock! We also $1/word with a $25 minimum. “Success Guaranteed.” Larry Wright In color, large scale. You can see de- carry hoods, weight belts, suspend- Panning Concentrates (760) 793-5718 (93528) tails. 8,000 deposits from official re- ers, masks, & dry suits. Bring in this Containing black sand and gold — cords. The best maps for prospecting. ad for an additional 10% discount. No $40 per bag plus $4 shipping each Trommel www.goldmaps.com (321) 783-4595 sales tax in Oregon. Sundance Divers: bag. Quantity discounts available — PLACE YOUR AD Trailer mounted, current license & 543 NE “E” St.,Grants Pass, Oregon. J Wammack. Outside the Box Mall, tagged in Washington state. Sized for We’re Dig’n for Gold (541) 479-9715. www.sundancediv- 1225 W. Hudson Rd., Rogers, AR By mail: recreation or site sampling. See on Near LDMA’s Duisenburg Camp! Git’n ers.com 72756. (479) 466-0867 YouTube @ “Gold Recovery Trommel dirty and hav’n lots of fun. You can Double D” http://www.youtube.com/ too! Learn how with Larry Wright. Official GPAA, LDMA For Sale watch?v=u2EFaLrlu2s $5500 obo (760) 793-5718 and Club Badges Keene Model 151 Vibrostatic dry call (425) 271-2347 or email: head- We specialize in custom work, includ- washer with 4.5 Honda & 4” blower [email protected] Gold Jewels and Treasures ing badges, signs etc. … Call Michael hose, never been used. $1,000. Call Located in person or long distance. at (530) 501-6009 or email engraveit@ Bain (435) 689-0121 Alaskan Paydirt! Call map dowser Robert Thomason netzero.net or visit www.engraversin- GPAA • P.O. Box 891509 Gold-bearing concentrates from at (205) 566-9988 mineralman@bell- time.com For Sale Temecula, CA • 92589-1509 working. Placer claims in Fairbanks, south.com Fisher Goldbug-2, used 10 hours: Alaska. None Better! Call for sample! Rock Crusher $500. Gold Miner Auto Panner very Felix Paydirt’s Gourmet Gold Toll Free Make Your Own Gold Bars.Com Crush your rocks to 100-200 mesh good condition $200 Richard (309) (877) 775-1120 www.felixpaydirt.com Table Top Furnaces 2012° F front load in seconds. 15” w/gas motor $1,549 361-1238 kilns heat to 2300 °F. Titling furnaces — electric $1,249. 13” w/gas motor By e-mail: 30_Layout 1 5/28/13 11:21 PM Page 1

[email protected] rs nso By FAX: po it S m 951-699-4062 m Please Note u We do not take classified ads over the S phone. Please use one of the above meth- ter ods to order. ap WHAT TO SEND h Membership number, full name, address, C phone, e-mail address and method of payment. If paying by credit card, please include your card number and expiration date. Credit card orders will be processed the same day they are received.

DEADLINE Classified ads will be placed in the next available issue according to deadlines. Please send your ad in two months before Thank you to: you would like it to appear is this publication, which is published every other • GOLD CUBE • ROARING CAMP CO • THE GOLD LADY month. • PLP • PRO GOLD • CAMEL MINING IMPORTANT • MAKE YOUR OWN GOLD BARS The Pick & Shovel Gazette cannot accept • ALASKA DISCOUNT GOLD responsibility for the delivery of goods A big THANK YOU to our Chapter Summit Sponsors!! • ARIZONA OUTBACK • STAUER I am so impressed and privileged to work every day with and services of classified advertisements • DOC'S DETECTING SUPPLY which appear on this page. We make some of the most amazing businesses and people around. • FELIX PAYDIRT • BROLL TOOLS every effort to screen out all misleading GPAA held our 3rd annual Chapter Summit meeting • MARTIN PRODUCTS advertising. No blind advertisements. The on April 26th in conjunction with our Gold and Treasure • ACCURATE METAL DETECTORS Gold Prospectors Association of America Expo in Las Vegas. You know what they say … What will not publish classified advertising of • BLACK CAT MINING happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, but what I can share is how any kind without a current GPAA, LDMA • ROSEWIND ENTERPRISES the generosity of these companies’ contributed to our success. or Gold Life membership number, street The Chapter Summit Sponsors donated their products • PROSPECTORS PLUS address and verifiable telephone number • FISHER RESEARCH on file. ALL ads are PREPAID. No phone and services specifically for GPAA members to enjoy and ads are accepted. enrich their prospecting experiences. What I found so • EUREKA JOE'S amazing was not just the generosity of our Chapter Summit • MININGBOOKS.COM sponsors, but the thoughtfulness they put into the donated • AMERICAN PROSPECTOR TREASURE SEEKER items. • BELDA'S DETECTOR SALES When it comes time for you to buy mining equipment • APEX DDF • SHAWN ST. ANDRE or replace your mining equipment, please remember the • PIONEER MINING companies that so generously gave to your membership and • A & B PROSPECTING support them with your patronage. • PAUL ROCKHOLD – NEW MEXICO STATE DIRECTOR We are a community of prospectors and we are growing • M & J COINS/MARTIN PROSPECTING in strength and numbers. Let’s all be a team and offer encour- • LONE STAR – PAUL O'FLARETY agement to each other. • NORTHWEST DISTRIBUTORS, LLC Happy Prospecting, • PRO MACK TREASURE HUNTING • DESERT WOLF Janice Connolly • NEW AGE MINING EQUIPMENT GPAA Advertising Manager • CATCH-IT II – HOWARD MARTSOLF – COLORADO STATE DIRECTOR October/November 2013 Pick & Shovel Gazette 27 Outings & Events UTCH We Welcome Your D MA ST N Submissions O ’S L The Gold Prospectors Association of America invites you to list your outings and events. M N Please submit your outings and events I N IO by email to publications@goldpros- IN T G A pectors.org. Please submit at least four AS OCI months before the actual event is to oc- S cur. Don’t forget to include your full name and phone number for verification, a contact name and phone number of the old event organizer for publication and the rospectors five Ws — Who, What, Where, When, Association of americA Why — and How. P

a.m. to 5 p.m. at Nez Perce County Fair Send us your local GPAA Building, 1229 Burrell Ave., Lewiston, ID. Adults $2; Children under 12 free with paid chapter outings and events adult admission. Contact: Linn Enger (208) If you have an event you wish to announce, 746-4957, [email protected] please notify us by email at publications@ goldprospectors.org at least four months prior to the event. CMGC 2013 Golden Jubilee Clackamette Mineral & Gem October 26 & 27, 2013 Springfield Thunderegg Saturday 9 a.m to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 Club Rock and Gem Show a.m. to 5 p.m. at Clackamas County Fair- October 5 & 6, 2013 grounds, 694 NE 4th Ave., Canby, Ore. Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 97013. Admission Free. Contact: Rick Mau- a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Guy Lee Elementary er (503) 691-6395, [email protected] School, 755 Harlow Road, Springfield, Ore. Free admission. Contact: Jim Nelson at Mississippi Gulf Coast Gem and (541) 687-8100 or [email protected] or Patricia Engleman, thunderegg.rockclub@ Mineral Show gmail.com 24th Annual Gulf Coast Gem and Mineral Society’s Magnolia State Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show 33rd Annual Portland Nov. 8, 9 &10, 2013 Gem and Mineral Show Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Portland Regional Gem Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Jackson Coun- and Mineral Clubs ty Fairgrounds, Pascagoula, Miss. The October 11, 12, & 13, 2013. show will feature 25 dealers with gems, Friday 10 a.m to 6.p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to minerals, fossils, beads and jewelry. Adults 6 p.m. and, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wash- $3, Three-day passes $5, Children free ington County Fair Complex, 873 NE 34th with paid adult admission. Some dealer Ave., Hillsboro, Ore. 97124 (across from space still available. Contact: Bill La Rue Photo by Brad Jones Hillsboro Airport). Adults $5 Children under (228) 229-8781, [email protected] GPAA member Mike Schooley uses a trench shovel to do some crevicing for gold in the San 12 free with paid adult admission. Con- Bernardino Mountains at a recent outing of the Route 66 Gold Miners. The local GPAA chapter, tact: L. Smith, PO Box 5401, Portland, OR Annual Fall Sale based in Brea, Calif., is a very active and successful chapter. 97228, Portland.regionalDealerChair@ Maplewood Rock gmail.com Contact: Gordon Eslava (360) 621-2233, and Gem Club PO Box 3342, Silverdale, WA 98383 53rd Annual Nov. 9 & 10, 2013 Marysville Rock and Gem Club Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 Parade of Gems 2nd Annual Winter Bazaar Yakima Rock to hold 39th Annual Show a.m. to 5 p.m. at Maplewood Clubhouse, Maplewood Rock & Mineral Club October 12 & 13, 2013 8802 196th St. SW, Edmonds, Wash. and Gem Club April 12 & 13, 2014 Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to – 5 p.m. 98026. Free admission. Contact: Lauryn Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013 Washington National Guard Armory, 2501 Totem Middle School Cafeteria, 7th St. and MacGregor, [email protected], PO Box 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Maplewood Clubhouse, Airport Lane, Yakima, Wash. Saturday — State Ave., Marysville, Wash. Admission 5657 Lynnwood, WA 98046 8802 196th St. SW, Edmonds, WA 98026; and Parking Free. Contact: Brian Murril 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday – 10 a.m. Free admission. Contact: Lauryn MacGre- (425) 346-9313, [email protected] to 4 p.m. Adults $3.50, Students $2, Age Fall Festival of Gems gor, [email protected], PO Box 5657 Lyn- 12 and under free with paid adult. Dealers, Kitsap Mineral & Gem Society nwood, WA 98046 demonstrations, food, gold panning, si- 47th Annual November 23 & 24, 2013 lent auction, Jr. activities, grab bags, door From Rocks to Gems Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 49th Annual Show — prizes, raffle, spin a wheel. Contact: Marti Hells Canyon Gem Club The President’s Hall, Kitsap County Fair- Sweetheart of Gems Sondgeroth [email protected] or 509- October 19 & 20, 2013 grounds, 1200 NW Fairgrounds Road, Whidbey Island Gem Club 248-6401 evenings Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 Bremerton, Wash. 98311. Free Admission. Feb. 8 & 9, 2014 Whidbey Island Gem Club, Oak Harbor Se- West Seattle Rock nior Center, 51 SE Jerome St., Oak Harbor, and Gem Show Wash. Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday West Seattle Rock Club 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission; Member April 26 & 27, 2014 exhibits, demonstrations, dealers, rough Aiki Masonic Temple, 4736 40th Ave. SW, and finished rock and gems, slabs, silent Seattle, Wash; Saturday – 10 a.m to 5 p.m., auction, door prizes, raffle, spinning wheel. Sunday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Free admis- Contact: Keith Ludemann (360) 675-1837 sion. Contact: Lyle Vogelpohl at (206) 932- or [email protected] 3292 or PO Box 16145, Seattle, WA 98116

66th Annual Gem & Mineral Alaska Gold Expedition Show featuring Geodes Come an experience the adventure of a life- Sweet Home Rock time at the Gold Prospectors Association of & Mineral Society America’s Cripple River Mining Camp near March 29 & 30, 2014 Nome, Alaska, home of the historic Klond- Sweet Home High School Activity Gym, ike Gold Rush. 1641 Long St.; Sweet Home, Ore. Satur- Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity! day – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday – 10 a.m Space is limited, so be sure to book your to 5 p.m. Admission: 50 cents. Children reservation early! 12 & under free when accompanied by a Photo by Brad Jones paid adult. Raffle, displays, dealers, snack Call GPAA today for more information and There is a first-time for everything. New prospectors (from left) Sheila Buehn, Nancy Carr and bar, door prizes, demonstrations, handicap reservations at 888-446-5333. Moira Hayward dig in at a recent outing of the Route 66 Gold Miners local GPAA chapter. The parking. Contact: Joe Cota at (541) 451 outing was held at mining claims in the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California. 2740 or PO Box 2279, Lebanon, OR 97355 28 Pick & Shovel Gazette October/November 2013

Made Made in the in the USA USA The #1 Selling Spiral Gold Recovery System in the World!

Manual Operation Battery Powered Manual and Battery Powered GOLD MAGIC Model 10M GOLD MAGIC Model 12E GOLD MAGIC Model 12-10 GOLD MAGIC Patented 17 inch Pan GOLD MAGIC Patented 17 inch Pan GOLD MAGIC Patented 17 inch Pan Agitation Knobs designed into pan Agitation Knobs designed into pan Agitation Knobs designed into pan Easy Manual operation with a hand crank 12 volt battery and 110 volt charger are built in Easy Manual operation with a hand crank Weighs only 4 pounds Runs 16 to 20 hours on a charge 12 volt battery and 110 volt charger are built in Process a 5 gallon bucket of material in 30 min Weighs only 10 pounds including battery Runs 16 to 20 hours on a charge No additional equipment to buy Process up to 140 lbs of material per hour Weighs only 11 pounds including battery Optional kit available to add battery power No additional equipment to buy Process up to 140 lbs of material per hour Pre wired for optional solar charger No additional equipment to buy Optional kit available to add hand crank Pre wired for optional solar charger Model 10M $215.00

Model 12E $425.00 Model 12-10 $465.00 To order or to find a dealer near you.

800-458-8889 www.GoldMagic.com Works wet or dry! No water pump required! The Gold Magic The 17-inch Gold Magic® pan is computer designed for maximum gold recovery. Gold starts to sepa- rate from other material and move into the removable center cup in 30 to 45 seconds. Patented

The pan is set at an approximate 45° angle. When prospecting wet, the water line needs to be set at 17 inch the center of the pan. As the pan rotates, you shovel sand and gravel material into the pan at the 3 to 4 o’clock position of the pan. There are 69 agitator knobs, (1B), in the primary processing area of the Spiral Gold Pan Gold Magic pan. These agitator knobs move through the material in rapid succession causing it to mix and tumble, all designed to quickly get the gold into area (1-C). The larger, low density materials will be expelled from the pan while the heavier, smaller materials (black sand, gold, platinum, and gemstones) will be carried up the spiral riffle into the removable concentration cup.

( Area 1) This is the primary classification area - all materials, sand, gravel, etc. (wet or dry) is shov- eled into this area. Large size and most low specific gravity materials roll out of the pan as it rotates. Heavy weight materials (gold) sink to the lowest point at the joining of riffle and the pan (1-C) and commence rotating toward areas (2,3,4).

( Area 2) This is the riffle transition and large nugget recovery area. Nuggets too large to spiral up the riffle in area (3) into concentrate cup (4) will remain in area (2) until visually sighted and removed.

( Area 3)This is the secondary classification area. The heavy material, (high specific gravity) like gold, platinum, flour gold and black sand, will continue to travel at the low point where the riffle joins the pan (1-C), to area (4). Most light (low specific gravity) material falls from the riffle in area (3) and it’s ultimately ejected from the pan.

( Area 4) Final classification area. Here you immediately see the results. The gold settles in the removable cup (4). As it continues to tumble wet, it is “cleaned up” with a gentle splash of water and is ready for removal. Dry gold concentrate is removed from here for final wet cleanup.