TENNESSEE Midnight ALLURE OF ALASKA Mining in the Mojavej.b5z.net/i/u/2089773/f/Pick_ShovelOctNov.pdf · his knuckles gripping those ATV handles as the smell of the northern Pacific

VOLUME 24 | NUMBER 4 OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2012

■ State Director’s Report: California �� 12 ■ Mining Guide Updates �� 13 ■ A Field Test: The Gold Exorcist �� 17 ■ GPAA Local Chapters Listing �� 25■ Upcoming Events �� 28www�goldprospectors�org

IN THIS ISSUE:

By SARAH REIJONENFor the GPAA

Two heads are not always better than one, and small-scale miners in Tennes-see are finding that out the hard way.

Prospectors in the southern state flew into a frenzy at the end of July when word spread that certain entities, namely the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agen-

cy and Tennessee Department of Envi-ronment and Conservation had banned dredging throughout the state.

Initially, Aquatic Habitat Biolo-gist Rob Lindbom relayed the message

from his superior, notifying prospectors at Little River in Blount County that all prospecting would be considered insub-ordination of Tennessee law. The TWRA later retracted that decision, narrowing the unlawful behavior to just that includ-ing, “the use of commercial grade suc-tion dredges, large scale sluice systems, diesel-powered pumps and mechanical shovels, including backhoes and track

hoes, and the use of high pressure hoses to blast away riparian habitat in a meth-od called ‘high bank mining.’ ”

Both TWRA and the TDEC claim dredging has always been illegal, but David Owens, who has been dredging waterways throughout Tennessee and various Bible Belt states since he first began prospecting eight years ago, said

Trouble brewing in Tennessee

* TENNESSEE — Page 18

■ RELATED STORY PAGE 18 Public Lands for the People assists miners in Tennessee


It’s fitting that Arnold Shields spent Independence Day relishing his freedoms in Alaska.

Freedom for Shields came in the form of a crisp breeze blowing on his face as he paralleled the Bering Sea on his four-wheeler. Freedom came in the form of his knuckles gripping those ATV handles as the smell of the northern Pacific Ocean crept into his nostrils. Freedom came in the form of two weeks scouring the shores for color.

“I drove into Nome by myself on the quad … it is a

12-mile drive from the Cripple River Camp to Nome,” said Shields, who spoke fondly of his first Alaska Gold Expedition. “I mean, it was just amazing and so exhila-rating to be out there in the open — me, on the Bering Sea, driving right close to the water like I was, just tak-ing everything in.”

That drive was Shields’ favorite Alaska memory, but the whole two-week trip satisfied the No. 1 item on his bucket list. But, now that he’s marked it off, Alaska has popped up on a new list.

“It’s right up there at the top of my want-to-do-

Truck driver heads north to Alaska on prospecting pilgrimage

Route 66 Miners do it in the dark

Bucket list mission accomplished

Midnight Mining in the Mojave

Photo by Tim McDermottFirst-time Alaska Gold Expedition participant Arnold Shields (left) proudly displays his name plaque with GPAA/LDMA President Brandon Johnson outside the Grizzly Bears Chow Hall at Cripple River Mining Camp near Nome, Alaska. Shields proudly hung his sign in the camp saloon before heading back to his home in Southern California.

* ALASKA — Page 7* MIDNIGHT MINERS — Page 6

ALLURE OF ALASKA


The earth is scorched and just three hours ago the thermostat catapulted past 100 degrees.

But, the sun is finally on its daily descent toward the horizon as a group of 14 prospectors wrangle up their tools for a dig under the stars. As the Big Dipper twinkles in the night sky, more than a dozen Route 66 Gold Miners run dirt through their drywashers in search of another type of twinkle — the gold kind.

After a few members tested out the idea of a night dig — equipped with generators and lights, which they propped up around a designated glory hole — they decided to turn it into an outing. Chapter Presi-dent Max Maxilom coined it “Midnight Mining in the Mojave.”

“The idea came to me after a few [individuals, who were] afflicted badly with gold fever, wouldn’t let the little radioactive daytime sun rays slow them down,” Maxilom said. “Since taking the helm, I have always wanted to give members various opportuni-ties of true adventure. So hence, dig at night … a perfect combination for true adventure.”

Those “radioactive rays” can reach in excess of 110 degrees in the desert during summer months.

“The only reason we started Midnight Mining is it’s too dog-gone hot during the day,” said Route 66

Pick & Shovel Gazette October / November 20122

Pick & Shovel Gazette

Volume 24, Number 5October / November 2012

Published by theGold Prospectors Association of America

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FounderGeorge Massie

CEOTom Massie

PresidentBrandon Johnson

Executive Director of OperationsDominic Ricci

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Editor / Content DirectorBrad Jones

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Editor / Art DirectorCarla Celeste Bivin

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AdvertisingJames Bond

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Event Manager — ExpeditionsAmber White

LDMA AdministratorSharina Davis

By CELESTE BIVINGPAA Editor/Art Director

The 2013 GPAA Calendar Photo Con-test winners have been chosen and the calendar is now ready to be printed. This is a great time to get your orders in. Every month has a helpful prospecting tip!

GPAA staff had an even more diffi-cult time making their choices this year because of all the wonderful pictures sub-mitted. We were very happy to see we had almost double the entries. It was very close — so close that we gave honorable mention to several contestants. Thank you to all those who participated. Those entries not chosen for the calendar may be used on the Golden Moments page in Gold Prospectors magazine, so be sure to keep an eye out for your photos.

Some additional photo entries will be published in the 2013 calendar. Special thanks to photographers Jake Rettenberg-er, Lester Kemble, Abigail Jundt, Linda Grace, Lindsey Rudolph, Richard Camp-bell, Mary Ellen Chacom and James Smoltz. Congratulations to everyone.

There will be some changes for the 2014 GPAA Calendar Photo Contest. A new category, Best Parent and Child Pho-to, will be added. Entries will also be lim-ited to one per person. Full contest rules for the 2014 calendar will be announced at a later date.

Again, congratulations and thank you. We hope you enjoy the calendar.

Celeste Bivin is the Editor/Art Direc-tor for the Gold Prospectors Association of America.

2013 GPAA Calendar Photo Contest winners announced

Photo by John & Doris DorvalWinning 2013 GPAA Calendar cover photo by John & Doris Dorval

2013 Calendar Contest Winners1 1

Cover PhotoJohn & Doris Dorval

JanuaryJacob Wootton

FebruaryJasper Tramonte

March{ Cutest }

Gabby Bowden

AprilAnthony Cole

MayRobert Paul

JuneChristapher Hasher

JulyTina Klipp

AugustEd Ciechanowski

September{ Best Family Outing }

Robert Paul

October{ Funniest }

Kiersten Rowe

NovemberDaniel Vanderbrink

December { Most Beautiful }Scotty Reynolds

Honorable Mentions

2013

Kevin LongMaria HansenAnthony Cole

Samantha Mason

Levi WattsDaniel Venderbrink

David McNutt

Pick & Shovel GazetteOctober / November 2012 3


Readers responded to the Alaska Gold Expedition photo album posted on the GPAA’s Facebook site. (The photos are also posted on the GPAA website on the Alaska page at www.goldpros-pectors.org). Here’s what you said:

Louis Velez: Cool pictures!Jim Bowman: Nice pictures. I can’t wait for 2013 season. I’m planning on two weeks at Ketchmark camp.James Thomas Hendrickson: Wish I could have made it up there.Nicole Fredrickson: Wish we were there! Maybe next year.Desert Magazine: Awesome!!Donny Jensen: Wish I had time to join you! Vacationing in Canada near Alaska border.Gold Rush Guys LLC: That’s one scrawny looking fox!Ron Cox: Wish I was there.Crystal Davis: One Day!

Jeff Jackson: I’ll make it eventually!Barbara Eckhardt: Looking good.Dimitri Timohovich: Was glad to have been part of it for two weeks.Scott Watkins: Had a great time with my grandson, Josh Millis, Week 4 and 5. Hope to go back again.Larry LaDue: Next year. I’m saving up now.Beverly Stumpf Bokan: Wonderful pictures! Hoping someday I’ll make it there.Oro SneakySnake Shango: Looks

like fun ... planning to be there next summer ... can’t wait.Katty Bode: The poor fox is starv-ing!Hiram Dunn: There’s GOLD in them hills!Jeanette Capriolo: The look on his face. Lol.Kaara Somerlot: Planning on in a couple years.David Wolfe: Going next year. Go-ing to sign up soon, going to do two weeks. (CRIPPLE RIVER #1) ... I’m mining for gold next year. So, that’s the plan.Andrew McDonald: Glad to see Boo Coo made it. I’ll get there before I die or visit in spirit afterwards for sure!JLove Dca: One of our dreams to join one of the Alaska Expeditions ... can’t foresee that it will happen soon, but the hopes are high. More power to y’all.Gold Prospectors Association of America: I heard that this particular fox recently had eight pups. That’s probably why she is so skinny. She was undoubtedly struggling to feed eight hungry pups and herself. — GPAA Editor/Content Director Brad Jones.

Buzzard is backReaders responded to a Facebook post about GPAA founder George Massie, who was featured in land & country commercials. Here’s what you said:

Robert Altieri: I love those commer-cials. I wish I could buy a DVD with just them.Darrell Adams: The Buzzard makes a lot of sense, but if it’s only on the Outdoor Channel, it’s preaching to the choir. Let’s see it on CNN and MSNBC.Chet Nowicki: Like the Buzzard said, “If you can’t mine it and you can’t grow it, it don’t exist, folks.”Ron Cox: I agree 100 %.Travis Wendy Perry: Very well said.

Gold Fever fansReaders responded to a shared link on Gold Fever’s Facebook site. Here’s what you said: Joe Accavallo: Tom is the reason I’m a GPAA member and proud.Douglas Jones: We try to watch it every Saturday.Robert Kreiling: Let’s have some shows filmed in Ohio and the upper northeast !Glenn McConnell: When will new Gold Fever shows come out? How about airing some of the old Buzzard shows?Roland Bernier: Like nothern New Hampshire! :) NORTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE!! :) Been trying my luck at panning, not really sure where to look, just trying my luck here and there. Would love to see Tom and his family in northern New Hampshire. I could then maybe pick up a few tricks from him on where to hunt for GOLD! :)Alex Knight: Gold gold gold gold gold gold feva va va va va ...Dale Romero: Cable & satellite are so 20th century. I had cable and satellite for years ... but could rarely watch Gold Fever because I was ei-ther at work or sleeping. I have since cut all ties to cable and satellite and joined the 21st century with an Ap-pleTV unit, which connects my TV to the Internet. You need to put these shows on Netflix or Hulu so they can be streamed to our TVs and watched at our leisure. Please ... Thank you! :)Cherie Byrnes: Tom, we watch You and your family all the time. You all are amazing.Joyce Selover: But Tom, where’s that good gold creek near Gold Beach, Oregon?

forum

I take my hat off to Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood for having the guts to remind all

politicians they have a duty to pony up on their own job performance — and who really holds the reins every day they hold public office.

“You, me — we own this country,” Eastwood said to a standing ovation at the Repub-lican National Convention in late August. “Yes, we own it. And, it’s not you owning it and not politicians owning it. Poli-ticians are employees of ours. So, they’re just going to come

around and beg for votes every few years and it’s the same old deal. But, I just think that it’s im-portant that you realize that you’re the best in the world. Whether you’re a Democrat or whether you’re a Republican or whether you’re a Liber-tarian or whatever, you’re the best and we should not ever forget that. And, when somebody does not do the job, we gotta let ’em go. Let ’em go! Just remember that.”

It was more than just a Hollywood one-liner; it was the sincerity in his voice as a proud Ameri-can and look in his eyes that struck me. His words will stick with me always, especially as the Nov. 6 presidential election approaches.

There is probably no bigger burr under my saddle than a local, state or federal elected offi-cial or civil servant who rides in on a high horse and tramples on the rights of the people who pro-vided the horse in the first place. And, it’s up to us as voters to rein them in because, left unchecked, absolute power corrupts absolutely. High horse or not, our elected and appointed officials are not above the people, the law, nor the U.S. Constitu-tion and Bill of Rights. That is the beauty of a democratic republic.

“We the people,” is a long forgotten founding principle of American freedom, liberty, prosper-ity and, ultimately, happiness. It is a golden rule that needs to be returned to its rightful place — at the forefront of today’s polarized and partisan political scene. When it comes to honoring the Constitution and protecting public lands for “We the People,” our politicians need to pay heed to laws such as the Mining Law of 1872 and other freedoms. Today, these rights are being trampled by a lot of high horses and the political leaders and bureaucrats who rode in on them.

Eastwood made another good point. Maybe it’s time for America to elect a business leader — and not another lawyer to the White House: “I never thought it was a good idea for attorneys to be President anyway because … they are always devil’s advocating this and bifurcating this and bifurcating that ... I think it’s maybe time for a businessman. How ’bout that?”

The business of America is business. Capital-ism is not a bad or ugly word; it’s a good one. It was unbridled capitalism that gave Americans the incentive to invent the automobile, explore space, develop the Internet and lead the way in medicine. Yes, greed is good. Conversely, it is the social-pass mentality of socialism that kills com-petitive spirit and robs us of hope and freedom.

Politicians and lawyers who cater to radical environmentalists and tell us we can’t prospect on public lands remind me of another quote: “Yes, we can.” And, from another Clint Eastwood movie, The Outlaw Josey Wales, here’s one more zinger to take to the polls: “Don’t P!$$ down my back and tell me it’s rainin’.”

— BRAD JONES GPAA Editor / Content Director

Clint Eastwood makes my day

Brad Jones

www.facebook.com/GoldProspectors

www.facebook.com/GoldFeverTV

www.facebook.com/AlaskanTheSeries

OPINION

Alaska Albumwww.goldprospectors.org


Hold government, yourself accountable

Environ-MEntal WactivisM

Taking personal responsibility a bitter pill that makes us better

A new breed of ‘green’ hornets swarm Mother Lode Country


The newest Bourne movie, The Bourne Legacy, was the straw that broke my back.

I’ll set the scene, but try not to ruin it for you Bourne enthusiasts. This scientist has been working in an office for years now. She administers pills to secret agents — pills that will enhance the agents’ mental and physical capabilities. Sounds OK. Well, as is com-mon with the Bourne movies, the plot thickens.

One day, the crap hits the fan and one of the scien-tist’s co-workers goes postal, killing everyone in the office except for her. One thing leads to another and the sole-surviving scientist meets up with one of these super-human agents in which she has been doping. The agent is not happy; in fact, he’s livid and to make matters worse, both the agent and the doctor are be-ing hunted down to be killed. Classic Bourne predica-ment. Long story short, the agent asks the doctor about her motives behind administering these life-changing drugs.

This is her answer: “It’s my job. I’m a scientist. I’m just told to do this. I had no idea what they were doing with this program.”

Sorry sweetheart, not good enough.This is the same response Tennessee’s Coker Creek

Chapter President Chuck Pharis got when he called to find out more about the spur-of-the-moment statewide ban on dredging (of course, officials swear the law has always been in place — they just haven’t been aware or policed the so-called illegal activity for the past de-cade).

Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) Aquatic Habitat Biologist Rob Lindbom, who was in charge of assessing the dredging situation along the Little River in Blount County, admitted to Coker Creek GPAA Chapter President Chuck Pharis that he knew nothing about dredging and its effects on rivers; instead, he used the good ol’ go-to answer of, “My boss made me do it.”

Even the legal counsel for TWRA’s Nashville of-fice agreed that harm to wildlife would have to be proven in order for the law to be broken. So far, no one in her office has done any kind of research or con-ducted any scientific studies to argue one way or the other. Again, that’s not going to cut it folks.

When I spoke to U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency Idaho Mining Coordinator Dave Tomten regarding dredge permitting in Idaho, I heard the same sad lines. Tomten had peeked at some faulty science and skimmed through past precedent and Voila! Based on stud-ies done by environmental groups,

who most likely received grant money to come to specific conclusions that would back their agenda, Tomten and Region 10 decided dredging is bad — un-less of course, one has a magical permit that makes it

all better. The bottom line is that people love to take the easy way out instead of taking pride in their work and getting the facts straight first.

Now retired EPA research biologist Joseph Greene. He verified. He did his research and found that yes, dredging is harmful to fish during spawning, but out-side of that window, it is perfectly harmless. Unfortu-

nately, folks like Greene are few and far between.But, I found another one like him — someone

who wasn’t willing to let his superior have the final say. Paul Houser, Ph.D. spoke to a group of 300 Sis-kiyou County citizens in May to discuss why he filed a “whistleblower” complaint with the federal Office of Special Council after being fired by the Department of Interior. Prior to getting sacked, Houser was a top scientist in the government and his job was to perform “integrity reviews” of science projects within the De-partment of Interior. He did just that — and seemingly lost his job because of it. After questioning the process and removal of four hydroelectric dams along the Kla-math River, Houser was sacked. Apparently, Houser’s integrity conflicted with U.S. Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar’s already-cemented intentions to remove the dams. This battle over the waters of northern Califor-nia continue, but thanks to Houser, the truth is finally being heard.

Anyone remember that study from sociology class where the student is told to zap the other student with electrical currents if he answers a question incorrect-ly? He hears the student screaming in pain from the jolt, but continues because he is told to do so. How far will we go before we start thinking for ourselves and say enough is enough? Will we draw the line before our own integrity is at stake?

Question authority. This is a lesson I have learned while writing for the GPAA. The government is con-tinually trying to pull the wool over our eyes and sneak by us with preferences — not laws, just prefer-ences that they illegally try to enforce. It reminds me of all the old wives’ tales my mother used to throw at me. She’d tell me “Don’t do X because Y will hap-pen.” But, I never found out for myself. Now I find myself nagging my husband, Chris, with the same ad-vice, only to stop and think, “Wait, why?” Because my mother said so?

Well, no disrespect Mom, but that just ain’t good enough. My journalism teacher once told me, “If your

By RON KLIEWERFor the GPAA

I recently had the opportunity to spend some time traveling around the California Mother Lode country, aka “Dredge Free Zone” by ignorant folks, thinking that somehow what California Legislators have illegally and backhandedly wrought upon the Free Miners in the state is a huge win for the environment and the economy.

In another era of years gone by, these politically correct, backroom dealin’ no good varmints would have been investigated, indicted, tried and paid their debt in full. They would be made an example for other shady characters operating under the guise of being do-good-ers for the common good, but personally profiting by their slick lawmaking ways.

The Mother Lode Country along the Highway 49 corridor was once the richest region in California. One might think the gold that made the area so rich is all gone. Au contraire! The large number of miners and massive amounts of gold found during the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s have subsided, the easier placer deposits played out; however, the hard rock and hydraulic mines and, of course, the timber industry has continued. The ongoing commercial large and small-scale mining continued to breathe life into the local economy for decades. Then, when World War II broke out, all non-essential gold mines were shuttered to give full attention to mining strategic metals for the war effort. Most never re-opened.

The timber industry struggled on, becoming as-phyxiated, dying a slow death by L&R: Legislation and

Regulation (That is the term for being strangulated by politicians’ and desk jockeys’ paperwork) — all in the name of “saving the environment.”

Sierra County, which was once the richest county in California and missed being the State Capital by 10 votes, is now the poorest county in the state. Though still rich in natural resources, the environmental wack-tivists have managed to take over. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for being a good steward of our environment, but we need to exercise some balance and wisdom in our decision making processes.

In 40 years of dredging, small-scale miners have contributed consistently to the local economy. In fact, the dredgers in Washington State were given an award by the government several years ago for removing mercury from the waterways. This documentation was

given to the California Department of Fish and Game during the recent “supplementing” of the perfectly fine 1994 Environmental Impact Report under the guise of it being “outdated.” They obviously ignored the positive information provided to them about how dredging helps fish and fish habitat.

The miners who have historically dredged the wa-ters in California have been shut out for the last three years. I am one of those dredgers who used to dredge near Downieville before dredging became a crime. The town was always bustling with activity, especially during dredging season. The store owners depended on the an-nual influx of small-scale miners (mainly dredgers) who boosted the economy and helped them make it through the off season. We’ve become friends with some over

Sarah Reijonen

* MOTHER LODE — Page 8

Historic Downieville.

The government

trying to pull the woolover our eyes and sneak

by us with preferences —not laws.

“ is continutally “* GOVERNMENT — Page 8


board member Larry Carr. “When it’s 108 out there, you've got to do it at night.”

Though the turnout of the Aug. 18 and 19 outing was smaller than the nor-mal 25-to-55-member attendance, Out-ing Coordinator Dan Taylor said it was a special night dedicated to those who couldn’t wait until November to feel the desert clay under their fingernails.

“We had the true, die-hard prospec-tors,” Taylor said.

Carr and fellow Route 66 board member Tom Clark offered up one of their seven 160-acre claims in the Mo-jave for the outing. The Route 66 Gold Miners, based in Brea, Calif. convened in Barstow, Calif., about 45 minutes from the designated claim. Once the group ar-rived, they set up their generators and lights and began a night of prospecting from dusk ’til dawn. By the time they were up and running, the temperature had dropped more than 20 degrees.

“The weather was spectacular,” said Taylor, who had hoped the forecasted thunderstorms and flash flooding would hold off — and they did. “Once the sun went down, the temp dropped to right around 72 degrees. It was very dark and the sky was just full of stars. We saw a bunch of shooting stars.”

Co-claim owners Clark and Carr tested the claim prior to taking the group out — just to make sure the getting was good.

“That’s what Tom and I do,” Carr said. “We love to take people out there and have a good time. Probably two-thirds of the gold we don’t keep. We give it to [the prospectors who show up and] if there’s a little kid … we give it to him.”

Clark said he had seen a night dig on an episode of Gold Fever and Clark thought, ‘Why not?’

“I really thought it was fun and I hope everybody had a good time,” he said. “It seems like they did. When it’s hot out there, you gotta try different things … I watched Tom Massie on one of his programs doing a night dig, so we thought we’d try it too and it works pretty good.”

Besides making sure they had a prof-itable spot to set up shop, Clark and Carr also did a test run to make sure the outing would be safe. They didn’t want to at-tract too many “unwanted critters,” said 70-year-old Clark, whom Carr describes as “always ready to go” when it comes to prospecting.

“A lot of critters come out at night,” Clark said. “Both times we didn’t see any rattlesnakes or scorpions, just a lot of moths … the lights attract the bugs.”

Luckily, the five generators set up to keep everything running smoothly seemed to ward off any slithery, dirt-faring creatures.

“The gold has always been there for the taking … but in the Barstow region you would have to be a thick-skinned rat-tlesnake or tortoise to enjoy the 100-plus daytime temperatures,” Maxilom said. “So far, personally, I don’t know any low down snakes in our chapter. Thank good-ness.”

Snakes don’t scare Maxilom, any-how. Around 4 a.m., the chapter presi-dent decided he was tired of panning and drywashing; he was itching to do some metal detecting. A few members tried to deter him, but finally gave in and followed their fearless leader on an early-morning hike into the mountains.

“Myself and three other members

said, ‘Oh, don’t know if that’s a good idea,’ so I got my gun out and put it on my hip and got a lantern and tried to follow Max around as he bolted up the mountain in total pitch darkness with his metal detector,” Taylor said.

“It was quite a little trek up there. Mike Eubank, the former president and founder of the club, and I sat down, looked at each other and said, ‘We are just way too old for this.’ ”

Another thing they are “way too old for” — all-nighters.

Even Maxilom admitted that keeping his peepers open for that long can be a challenge.

“I think the hardest part of this ad-venture was staying awake,” he said. “I was kind of wishing we had some sing-ers in the fray, karaoke or something. [It would] either make it a little more enter-taining or send the coyotes — and miners — running for Arizona.”

Taylor said he used a few tricks he learned from GPAA Chapters & Trade Show Manager Gary Sturgill at conven-tions — tricks that came in handy Satur-day night.

“Myself and my crew decided we did not want to take a nap. If we took a nap, we wouldn’t want to wake up, so we kind of forced ourselves to go ahead and stay up,” Taylor said. “Gary taught us a trick when we were working at the conven-tions with him; he drinks those 5-hour ENERGY, so we were poppin’ those.”

Still, those energy drinks don’t turn back the hands of time, Taylor said.

“The youngest people were probably 45 years old up to Tom, who was sitting in his car sleeping; [he] is in his 70s,” he said. “We’re all kind of old guys, so we’re not used to staying up all night on a Saturday night.”

When the sun peaked up over the arid Mars-like region, the group of Route 66 Gold Miners rubbed the dust from their heavy eyes, filled in their holes and tore down camp.

“At about 6:30 in morning, the sun started to come up, we started turning off the generators and started to pack up,” Taylor said. “For me, that’s kind of the nicest time of the day in the desert — sunrise; it’s just starting to get warm.

The sun is kind of going across the land-scape and the colors are beautiful.”

Clark said Taylor deserves credit for putting the outing together and it is something the group of rain-or-shine miners will definitely do again.

“[It’s all about] the great and wild outdoors, great friends, some great cof-fee and the everlasting quest for gold,” Maxilom said.

“What else is there? This is what I call one of America’s last remaining freedoms.”

Sarah Reijonen is a GPAA member and freelance writer based in California.

MIDNIGHT MINERS Continued from Page 1

Photos by Dan TaylorAbove: A group of 14 Route 66 Gold Miners set out for a night of prospecting in the Mojave Desert. Left: Ray Proefrock works his drywasher during the Midnight Mining in the Mojave outing Aug. 18 and 19. Right: Board member Tom Clark takes a nap in his truck. Below: Left to right: Route 66 Miners’ Trea-surer Mike Gerardo pans with Chapter President Max Maxilom and Sergeant-at-Arms Todd Benson.


again list,” Shields said. “It still hasn’t quite sunk in, the awe of it all. I would like to go back again. I would recom-mend it to anybody who wants to go. Don’t just sit there and talk about it, do it. You’ll really love it.”

Shields, who has been a prospector for 25 years and a GPAA member for five years, started out as a member of the Temecula Valley Prospectors in Southern California, but he founded a new chapter in Hemet, Calif. in May.

“I was a commercial truck driver and drove truck most of my adult life, so I worked a lot and had very little time for anything else,” Shields said. “I kind of let prospecting go for a while, but I got involved here after I quit working full time.”

The spark ignited again when Shields and his family visited his father, who lived in Humboldt, Ariz. and had both gold and gem mining claims. Now Shields just can’t get enough.

“Whatever chances I get during the week, weekends, week trips — I enjoy going out, drywashing. I love drywash-ing; that’s my favorite,” he said.

After getting back on the prospect-ing wagon, a friend invited Shields to join the GPAA and the rest is history — history that led Shields to Cripple River Mining Camp in Alaska from June 23 to July 7.

“I’ve never been to Alaska before,” he said. “It’s been one of my dreams to get up into real gold country.”

And, it was indeed “real” gold coun-ty.

“When I first got there, driving up the beach from Nome to the Cripple River Camp, I was amazed at all the tents and campsites of the [ocean] dredgers out there. It looks like gold fever has really set in,” Shields said. “It’s kind of every-thing I thought it would be from pictures I’ve seen and the Alaskan shows.”

The scenery was familiar, but the chill was far from a Southern California summer.

“When I got up there it was still cool. There was a little bit of rain and cool nights. It was 36 degrees the first night I stayed up there,” Shields said. “At least I took plenty of clothes to compensate.”

Not only can Nome be chilly even in the summer, but it’s also quite remote, Shields said. But, he said the GPAA crew did it’s best to make members feel right

at home.“I didn’t lose any weight like I

thought I would. Chip Yorde and her crew really did a good job,” Shields said. “There are some things that are primi-tive, but they had the best hot showers and 24-hour access to hot food. The cof-fee was always hot, and even though there wasn’t any TV there, I didn’t miss it. I pretty much had things to do all the time.”

And, despite the snoring of five other weary prospectors in his hooch, a type of bunkhouse, Shields slept soundly.

“Everybody in my group would snore, so we all wore ear plugs.” he said “After a day of prospecting, it sure did feel good to crawl into your sleeping bag and get some shut-eye.”

There was plenty of prospecting, beachcombing and restful nights, but there was also a hefty serving of poker and karaoke at the saloon.

“The first [poker tournament] I went to, we had a face-off, a one-on-one, and I ended up second place. The following tournament, I won,” he said. “I’m not much of a poker player, but the cards just fell my way.”

Shields even warmed up his vocal cords to sing Lucille and then sung a special dedication, My Girl, to his wife, Alice. The two have been married for 45 years.

“I had someone videotape it for my wife; it’s one of her favorite songs,” Shields said. “She thought it was OK, but ... I better keep my day job.”

By day, his job in Alaska was pros-pecting, of course. Most of the time Shields collected material on the beach to process through a highbanker, but he also took a few day trips with other GPAA members.

“I went on a one-day outing [to Ketchmark] with the group. We did high-banking there and I found, not a whole lot, but I found some nice chunky small stuff in the concentrates,” Shields said.

In the end, Shields took some of his Alaska gold to Ralph Roger, an Alaska Gold Expedition crew member and goldsmith, who melted it down into a three-point, three gram nugget. He also brought back another four grams in fine beach gold.

Aside from capturing a bit of color for the flight home, Shields also spent time fishing during his two-week adventure. During his first week, Shields said the lo-cals were pulling in maybe half a dozen fish in a day, but by the time Shields was nearly ready to head home, the salmon count had jumped considerably.

“During the second week, I drove my rental ATV to the beach area where the Cripple River meets the Bering Sea and the river was boiling with salmon,” he said. “It was just fin-to-fin salmon as far as you could see up the river, so I went and got a one-day fishing license and dipped my pole down. Almost every cast, I caught a fish. I was doing catch and release … but I did catch about 25 fish in a four-hour period. The average was oh, five pounds, seven pounds.”

Retiring from driving truck not only gave Shields the chance to make the pil-grimage to Alaska, but it also gave him the time to become president for the Hemet Valley Prospectors.

While Shields truck-driving days are numbered, he still lends a hand when the GPAA needs a “roadie.”

“I traveled with the Gold & Treasure Shows for a while last year and assisted; I was kind of a roadie,” Shields said. “I traveled to Ashville, North Carolina; Onalaska, Wis.; Mesa, Ariz.; Albuquer-

que, N.M. and Pomona, Calif. I helped with setup and breakdown of the show. I helped with the GPAA booth and hauled equipment around country. It’s not a job; it’s fun for me. I loved it.”

Shields is planning to help out on the road again this year and get his new club involved. In the meantime, he’s back in California dreaming of a return trip to the last frontier.

“Every one of the crew members there bent over backwards and went out of their way and made sure everybody’s experience was the best … all in all, it was a wonderful experience,” he said. “It was No. 1 on my list of things to do. I got that one scratched off, but it’s back on my list again.”


On the ’NetAlaska Gold Expedition

www.goldprospectors.org/Alaska

ALASKA Continued from Page 1

Photos by Tim McDermottTOP LEFT: Alaska Gold Expedition participant Arnold Shields at the GPAA Cripple River Mining Camp overlooking the Bering Sea. TOP RIGHT: Shields mines for gold at the trommel site. ABOVE: Shields displays his salmon catch fresh from the Cripple River.


the years and when I stopped in the other day at 49 Wines in Downieville to say “Hi” to my friend, Will Clark, things were just not the same. I hadn’t seen him since before the dredge ban, and he lamented how slow business in town had become since the dredgers got the legislative boot in 2009. I noticed it as well; the town just didn’t have the same life to it that it once had. Not just the money flowing, but the emotional state of the town. Sure it has town activities for the Fourth of July and all that, but the heart is just not there.

Will hit the nail on the head when he gave me a huge compliment. He exclaimed something to the ef-fect of, ‘It’s guys like you who made this town what it is; it wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for guys like you and your son. We need you guys!’ He went on to ask what we’re doing about the dredge ban. I told him about the lawsuits Public Lands for the People are cur-rently bringing against the California DFG and that we all need to get behind PLP to win this. They are funded only by volunteer donations! It’s all on the line this time. If we lose, dredging is probably gone forever in California. And, as California goes, so goes other states. It really is true!

It’s odd, that those who complain about the effects dredging might have on the fish in the river or the noise the dredge engines might make, would not be able to identify the sites of 90 percent of the historical hydraulic mines in California — even if they were standing right in front of them! The forests have reclaimed the land.

Well-planned logging would promote even healthier forests than what is now growing in many places. If you see the bare, logged-off hills and piles of cobbles pic-tured in old photographs taken during the height of the gold rush, you would certainly change your mind about any possibility of a dredge doing anything that would ever harm the river.

Truth is, you will see no evidence of dredging in a creek or river after a winter storm. And those fish? Well, they certainly survived the massive muddy flooding the hydraulic mines subjected them to, and they manage to survive annual winter storms and spring snow melt run-off. I don’t think the tiny bit of silt disturbed by dredges running in our rivers hurt the fish one bit. In fact, they love to feed around an active dredge. I have personally seen trout and salmon in and around my dredge during and immediately after shutting down dredge operations.

If people that are concerned about saving the en-vironment were half as concerned about saving our freedom, then I think both issues would see a lot more cooperation from both sides and we could enjoy and conserve the outdoors for future generations And, even more importantly, preserve our freedom for generations to come.

Ron Kliewer is a longtime LDMA member and a pro-ponent of preserving mining heritage on his website: www.goldrushu.com. He welcomes comments and can be reached at [email protected]

MOTHER LODE Continued from Page 5

Submitted PhotoLongtime LDMA member Ron Kliewer at the Downieville Visitors Center.

Photo by Ron KliewerThe Yuba River in Downieville.

mother says she loves you, double check.” What I’m saying here is find out for yourself. Don’t rely on second-hand information. Take responsibility and remember that all the money in the world is worth nothing if you don’t have your integrity.

When it comes to the government, ask for ev-erything in writing. Ask for the law in your hot little hands. Ask officials and the powers that be for rea-sons. Don’t be afraid to fight, but also keep calm and be respectful because, after all, their boss made them do it.


ON THE ’NET

Watch Dr. Paul Houser’s presentation in Siskiyou County on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxmPSzDp9sw

GOVERNMENT Continued from Page 5


Alaska Gold Expedition mother lode of adventureParticipants enjoy gold, camaraderie, fishing, camp activitiesBy ARCTIC ANNIEFor the GPAA

The hunt is over for gold this year at the Cripple River Mining Camp, 12 miles West of Nome, Alaska. The camp is perfectly situated with the Bering Sea on one side and the Cripple River on the other. What’s not to like with golden beach sands in front of us, great salmon fishing beside us and the not-quite-so-primitive-as-it-used-to-be camp in which to live, play and eat.

I never had the chance to go to summer camp as a child, so now I spend summer at a sleep-away camp for prospecting adults. Af-ter 14 years, I still enjoy it! This camp is considered primitive, but I’ve bivouacked in the Army in the old days before MREs and porta-ble buildings and brother that was

primitive!This year, the early crew found the camp in very bad

repair, as a very severe winter storm blew part of the chow hall roof completely off, and filled the hall with a packed snowdrift that broke out the window at the west end. It took days to remove the heavy ice and snow with wheel barrows, but before the snow was removed, the crew used it as a ladder and stood on the solid drifts to do some of the inside roof repair! This bad storm or one of its relatives also blew several buildings upside down and one hooch had its entire ceiling coated with inches of sand like the movie, A River Runs Through It! Good for Hollywood. Very bad for your sleeping quarters.

Gold and good timesGold is the magic word everyone wants to hear.

Old-timers often said — and many believed — the met-al had a smell that seemed to attract some people. So, here is the plain unvarnished truth for those of you with the strength to stand it. That rascally hard to find — and sometimes harder to keep — heavy yellow metal was found this year, as is normal on the beach, at Creosus and Ketchmark outer camps, by the dredgers and the highbankers at the trommel as well as by prospectors who went out and about on the patented mining claim

on their own. One man at beach claim No. 16 admits to finding at least a pennyweight and a half every two days working by himself! Other claims, including No. 5 were especially rich and the miners did much better on some of them!

Now, don’t ask for these claims next year, as the winter storms replace the sand and gold every year and the beach claims change every year, so the numbers of the claims aren’t the same twice in a row. The beach crew explained, if you work your claim, run the red and black sand, which contains the highest concentration of flour gold, you will do well. But, how well depends for the most part on how hard or steady you work your claim.

Salmon run smokin’Fishing was beyond expectation this year, with the

pink salmon run starting early; it was a very strong run. Anglers were catching fish on almost every cast, and most people fished until they were actually tired of catching fish. This is not a fish tale!

I heard one very tired, but happily smug fisherman say, “I tried to find a lure they didn’t like, they liked every one I had, finally I just wore out and quit!” About two-thirds of the way through our summer the silver salmon (also called Coho Salmon) started their annual run in our area. These are larger fish than the pinks. The record for a silver is 26 pounds, set in 1976.

So, fishing excitement peaked again! Most fish were catch and release but a respectable number still made into the fish smokers and then freezers for a trip to homes all over the Lower 48. Quite a few were also cooked here and eaten with pride.

Lowdown on learningThe weather this year was not nearly as good as we

usually enjoy. Off and on for several weeks, we had cold and rain. As we are up near the Arctic Circle, we know that being where the weather patterns for the Lower 48 (what Alaskans call the contiguous states below them) develop can be exciting. Wet weather gear comes out, and prospecting and gold getting goes on here rain or shine.

For those who don’t feel like braving the elements,

or who want to learn about different aspects of prospect-ing, we have many informative classes. Camp is a regu-lar University of Knowledge, with classes on geology, rocks and minerals, beach prospecting, beach mining, fine gold clean up, gold recovery, history of sluicing, panning techniques and tools, wire wrapping, jewelry making and gold and silver smithing demonstrations to name just a few opportunities to learn new skills or tune up old ones.

‘Nightlife’

At night in the Land of the Midnight Sun, there are games to play in the chow hall, the favorite gath-ering place in camp. Some are organized like Bingo, while others, like Cribbage or Yahtzee or Dominoes, are among friends. Poker and Texas Hold’em are played in the saloon, of course! Many people relax after a well-cooked meal with a good book from the Cripple River Lending Library.

Trouble in paradise Some people just seem to find ways to get into trou-

ble in camp, like the man who managed to lock his wife in their hooch by accident, where she had to pound on the door to get her neighbor to let her out. Or, the man who accidentally locked himself in the outhouse — and again had to call for help and wait to be let out! Then, there was a nice lady who lost her balance on a fishing trip and grabbed the belt loop on her husband’s pants to keep from falling into the river and almost pulled his pants down! But like Las Vegas, what happens in Crip-ple River stays in Cripple River, unless I hear about it!

It is often said that a bad day in camp is better than a good day somewhere else. I don’t know who said that, but it was said a couple of years ago, and some of us still feel that way.

Beach glass bonanzaBeach glass hunting on the East Beach of Nome and

garnet picking in camp by the Gold Room, (cleanup room) is quite popular. The beach glass is here partly because Nome burnt down in a fire in the early 1900s. Much of the beach glass we find is quite old and ranges

Photo by Brad JonesAlaska Gold participants Harold “Dan” Timmerman of Stuart, Florida and John Schlabach of Lyndhurst, Virginia mine for gold on the beaches of the Bering Sea, 12 miles from Nome, Alaska at Cripple River Camp.

Arctic Annie

* ALASKA ADVENTURE — Page 19


By MICHAEL FOSTERFor the GPAA

Investors might be wise to consider holding physical gold bars, as playing gold through mining companies is prov-ing to be a losing investment strategy in 2012. Even as gold prices begin to recover, the mining companies aren’t seeing their stocks rise, while holders of gold bullion can realize the gaining value of gold more immediately.

This discrepancy between physical gold and mining companies has a lot to do with investors fleeing from stocks and from a complicated situation involving the US dollar itself.

In May 2012, the Dow Jones plum-meted and erased all gains that it had earned for the entire year. As volatile and unpredictable as ever, losses in the stock market are hitting individual 401(k)s and big banks alike, and may result in falling profits for banks and insurance companies in the coming six months.

Bank stocks aren’t the only equities that are going down. Another surprise is that mining companies are being hit hard by the ongoing global economic crisis. Rio Tinto, the worldwide mining con-glomerate based in London, has seen its stock value plummet by over 11 percent from January to the end of May, and failed to recover throughout the summer.

Gold miners aren’t doing much better. Freeport-McMoran Copper and Gold saw its stock shoot up in January, only to fall to a loss in the first eight months of 2012. Barrick Gold fell by more than 18 percent in the same period.

Gold, on the other hand, started to climb radically at the end of May and rose again at the end of August.

A sleeping giant awakensRemember Operation Twist?In September 2011, United States

stock markets were plummeting, and some bank stocks were down nearly 30 percent in a few short months. In an action that some critics described as a panic, the Federal Reserve intervened in the market by buying a number of bonds to lower long-term interest rates, which would theoretically encourage more leverage, speculation, and investment. The result is that investment bankers would have more money that they would put into the stock market, raising stock prices upwards.

This wasn’t because the stocks themselves were worth more, of course. Rather, it was the result of more money being available to the powerful investors

who can trade on margin (that is, borrow money to invest in), which would result in greater investment activity, higher prices, and — so the Federal Reserve hoped — raise employment, spur consumer spend-ing, and reboot the economy.

We’ve been here before. Two acts of quantitative easing in 2008 and 2010 pumped more money into investors hands in the hopes that they would buy stocks and raise equity values.

They didn’t. And, the result was the stuff of night-

mares. A bear market with no end in sight resulted in over a $1 trillion being pumped into the economy by summer of 2011. Not being enough, Operation Twist attempted to pour more money into the economy.

By the beginning of 2012, signs of all of this new money in the market finally came to life. Stocks soared — and so did inflation. Most notably, Apple rose by 50 percent in months, but several other large cap U.S. stocks rose in value and inves-tors began to crow about a new, resurgent American economy. There was even talk of a new tech bubble as Facebook went public. Then it lost over 20 percent of its value in a week, prompting promises of an SEC investigation.

In early June, as stocks began to plummet, whispers of the Federal Reserve pumping more money into the economy grew louder. Boston Federal Reserve Pres-ident Eric Rosengren even said publically that Operation Twist was not enough, and the Fed should extend it.

“Extending Operation Twist would be

supportive of more rapid growth. It would not be as dramatic as potentially substan-tially expanding the balance sheet of the Federal Reserve,” he said.

“Expanding the balance sheet” is a complicated way of saying that Rosengren wants the Fed to buy more debt, which in theory would put more money in the pock-ets of individuals and spur spending.

“If we wanted to provide support for spending, and try to get the unemploy-ment rate down more quickly than would be embedded in our current forecast, then doing something that is supportive but not very substantial would seem to be appro-priate,” he said.

However, pouring more money into the economy only created a short-term bubble that finally burst at the end of spring. In fact, the rumors themselves helped the Dow Jones Index soar to 13,000 while unemployment remains high and Europe flirts with continent-wide bankruptcy. Will more money spur growth or just cre-ate another short stock market bubble that Rosengren’s friends at the Boston hedge funds will profit from?

A twist on goldAt the beginning of 2012, gold was

still a darling, and was even rising along-side stocks in the exuberant optimism of the new year. It is unusual for gold and stocks to soar at the same time, but it makes perfect sense if more money is be-ing poured into the economy and inflation is getting stronger. In this sense, gold it-self was profiting from the Fed’s decision,

as a few savvy investors prepared for the inevitable devaluation of the greenback.

Then, at the end of February, things turned against the shiny metal. From March to May, gold was on a steady slope downward as stocks continued to rise and investors felt confident that the recovery was finally — after four years of impover-ishment, unemployment, stagnant wages, and dropping profits — a reality for the U.S. economy. Gold was suddenly the outcast of the investor’s portfolio, after it had gone up 137 percent in three and a half years.

Now, of course, it is going back up as investors turn to it as a safe haven, which means that gold, as of the end of August, is up slightly for 2012. If history is any-thing to go by, gold may go up if uncer-tainty persists, but if the Fed has its way and pours more money into the economy, gold will also go up to match inflation.

In the end, gold seems to be a smart play as the Federal Reserve continues to intervene. If more money is poured into the market, stocks will probably go up — and so will gold, if history is any indica-tor. If the Fed decides to leave the markets alone, uncertainty may hit stocks and they will go down, but gold will go up as a safe haven. The clearest winner is gold.

Michael Foster is a freelance business journalist based in New York City. He can be reached at [email protected].

Gold: A sleeping giant awakens with a twistBuying physical gold might be your best investment strategy


Outdoor groups challenge U.S. Forest ServiceOpponents say ‘planning rule’ strays from mandateBy SARAH REIJONENFor the GPAA

The BlueRibbon Coalition and the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs (Cal4Wheel) joined a handful of organizations in a lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service’s new National For-est Planning Rule released in April.

According to BlueRibbon Coalition — a national organization that endorses responsible recreation and environmen-tal stewardship — the U.S. Forest Ser-vice’s planning rule strays from a jobs and ecosystem approach and instead fo-cuses on single-species management.

The lawsuit, filed Aug. 13, charges the U.S. Forest Service with “elevating species viability, ecological sustainabil-ity and ecosystem services as mandatory national forest management objectives, above the five statutorily prescribed multiple uses: outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed and wildlife and fish purposes.”

“To begin with, the rule ignores the appropriate role and the balance of multiple uses that is required by law ... they’ve elevated ecosystems over multi-ple uses,” said BRC Executive Director Greg Mumm, who initially voiced his organization’s concerns two years ago in Washington D.C. at a science forum regarding the new planning rule.

One of the main issues with the U.S. Forest Service’s new planning rule is its lack of adherence to “multiple uses,” which refers to the Multiple-Use Sus-tained-Yield Act of 1960. The act states that the Secretary of Agriculture must develop and manage the renewable re-sources of outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed and wildlife within the national forests for multiple use and sustained yield of the products and ser-vices.

“Although it has been muddied by a flurry of other land use acts, I believe it is still intact,” said Claudia Wise, a retired U.S. Environmental Protec-tion Agency physical scientist. “You wouldn’t know it with all the new forest planning going on to protect and sustain wildlife and create more roadless areas; that doesn’t seem to best meet and serve human needs.”

Furthermore, all five aforementioned resources are to be treated equally, which means timber is no more important than wildlife, nor is wildlife more important than recreation and so on.

“Users of our public lands want less regulation to enjoy our forests, and in the case of miners standing behind the 1872 mining rights, they want their right — to claim and positively influence their economic status — upheld,” Wise said.

Aside from the concern over miners and various recreationalists being able to use their public lands, the lawsuit draws out an onslaught of vague language inked in the rule. One glaring piece of verbiage that packs the potential to self-destruct into mountains of litigation is “best available science.” This phrase allows the Forest Service, with its new rule, to use its “best available science to inform planning and plan decisions.”

“It does not clearly define what ‘best available science’ is,” said John Stewart, a natural resources consultant for the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs. “[The Forest Service] would say, ‘Well, it is whatever we think it is, what-ever the general consensus is.’ When you’re looking at accessing the various forest areas, going off of someone’s best guess, or best available science, just doesn’t do it.”

The next issue lies with the term “ecological sustainability.” Again, the Forest Service fails to clearly define this phrase within the context of the new planning rule.

“It’s not clearly defined, so it’s left to the best available science. What is best available science? What is ecological sustainability?” Stewart asks. “Differ-ent groups, they all have their definition of what ecological sustainability is, so without a good, clear singular definition that everyone’s willing to accept, how do you manage to that?”

So what does it all mean? That is the eternal question when trying to weed through the subjective language of the Forest Service — not excluding this most recent planning rule, Stewart said.

“We believe it opens the floodgates to litigation and the general closure of the forest,” he said. “We know that other environmental groups are just sit-ting back and waiting to find out ‘OK, how is the forest service going to imple-ment this?’ If it’s something they like, they won’t file suit, but if it’s something they don’t like, they will be filing suit. But, we’re saying, let’s just cut the crap. Let’s go ahead and look at it right now. Let’s go back and get it right or go back and get something that everyone com-pletely agrees with.”

Not only does the U.S. Forest Ser-vice’s planning rule endanger human ac-tivity within the forests, but it also puts certain species at risk by placing more importance on “environmental indicator species,” or species that serve as gauges of environmental quality. Case in point: the spotted owl, Stewart said.

“[The rule creates an] exclusion of all other species and the exclusion of human involvement and activities with-

* PLANNING RULE — Page 21



Douglas “Pucky” Junghans is a con-noisseur of life.

He dabbles in history, prospecting and beer; in fact, that’s how he got the nickname, Pucky.

Junghans and some friends were kicking off the hunting season at a farm in Kewauskum, Wisconsin with some target and trap shooting. After a round of barbecue and beer Junghans, who was 36-year-old and single at the time, got to storytelling.

“I was known for telling some good ones,” Junghans said, “and Grandpa re-ally enjoyed these events and stories.”

Once the story was over, Junghans went to “relieve” himself.

According to Junghans, he needed to “get rid of some excess beer” so he went behind the barn “to water the plants.”

Grandpa noticed that the campfire had gone silent so he asked, “Where did that ‘puckle-headed’ feller go?” If one tasted too much beer, Grandpa referred to him as “puckled,” according to Jung-hans. When Junghans returned to the party from behind the barn, Grandpa ex-claimed, “There’s Pucky!”

Twenty-five years later, Junghans still goes by Pucky. And, according to Junghans, he is still a beer taster to this day.

“I sometimes sign an email ‘Pucky the Prospector and Clamper in good standing!’ ”Junghans said. “Being a Clamper is a whole ’nother story!”

Storytelling and re-telling is the whole purpose of being a Clamper, or a member of E. Clampus Vitus. Clampers, as they are known, make up a fraternal organization dedicated to preserving the history of California and the Gold Rush era. The organization formed to poke fun at strict and seemingly uppity organiza-

tions such as the Masons and Odd Fel-lows. The EVC, founded in Mokelumne Hill, established a vow to protect widows and orphans; nonetheless, it donned a lighter approach to fraternal bonding and

simply offered miners of the Gold Rush reprieve after a hard day’s work.

“[EVC] goes hand in hand with gold prospecting,” Pucky said. “Everywhere you look [in northern California] you’ll see plaques set up by E. Clampus Vi-tus.”

Though the Clampers dwindled af-ter the California Gold Rush days, they resurfaced and reestablished themselves in the ’30s. Now there are 42 EVC chap-ters throughout the West and the organi-zation’s legacy can be seen throughout state parks and historical locations in the form of plaques or historical markers.

He may be a “Clamper in good stand-ing,” but, primarily, Junghans is a pros-pector. He has been a Gold Prospectors Association of America member for 21 years, a Lost Dutchman’s Mining Asso-ciation member for 17 years and a GPAA state director for two or three years. He also founded the East Bay Prospectors in Concord, Calif. four years ago and is a member of the United Prospectors In-ternational, a worldwide club founded in Dutch Flat, Calif. in 1947. Junghans was even a guest speaker at a recent UPI function.

Junghans knew he was going to join the LDMA before he moved to Califor-nia. All it took was a little convincing from GPAA founder George “Buzzard” Massie.

“On TV I seen the Buzzard and then I just knew when I moved down here I was gonna join,” Junghans said. “So I moved here and joined right away. I ended up meeting my girlfriend and we did more and more [gold prospecting] and I joined LDMA. Here I am — 17 years I’ve been

a LDMA member.”Like many fellow members, Pucky

said the biggest perk of being a prospec-tor and being a member of these clubs is making lasting friendships.

“Wherever you go you know some-body,” he said.

Junghans is surprised at just how well-known he has become in prospect-ing circles. Junghans won an Alaska Gold Expedition trip at last year’s GPAA Gold & Treasure Show in Redding, Calif. and discovered the good news when someone from the crowd shouted, “Pucky won!”

Although he has been too ill to travel this year, Junghans has scheduled his Alaska trip for next year and said he is really looking forward to it. As for now, he’s still basking in the glory that comes along with receiving a certificate of ap-preciation from the GPAA at last year’s Las Vegas Gold & Treasure Show and continuing his work as a California state director.

“I thought that was pretty neat [to re-ceive that award],” he said. “I do what I can for the LDMA, GPAA and PLP .”

PLP, or Public Lands for the People, is a small-scale mining advocacy group that fights for the public’s right to access and stake claims on public land as stated in the Mining Law of 1872. The GPAA is the single largest financial contributor to the PLP.

Junghans said he joined the GPAA not only to prospect and meet fellow gold enthusiasts, but also to support the cause in defending land rights and our overall freedoms as American citizens.

“It’s nice to help out the organiza-

State director well-known Clamper, imbiber of hootch and historyPUCKY JUNGHANS: PROSPECTOR AND PATRIOTCALIFORNIASTATE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Pucky Junghans

* STATE DIRECTOR — Page 20

Submitted photos"Pucky” Junghans at one of his favorite prospecting spots (top left) and shown with 14-year-old Kenny Dukes from Concord, Calif., who loves gold prospecting (inset). Above, Junghans is shown doing some metal detecting.


Mining Guide Updates

Claims Club Membership Mining Guide Gold Prospectors Association of America

MINING GUIDE — CALIFORNIA

CA HOG HEAVEN SIERRA COUNTYT20N R11E Sec. 14 MDM160 AcresUSGS Quad: Sierra City

WEST END @ CREEK: 39° 35’ 37.97”N 120° 43’ 02.41”W

EAST END @ CREEK: 39° 35’ 52.93”N 120° 42’ 29.07”W

Directions:From Downieville on Hwy 49 go approximately 5.8 miles East and turn left (North) on Gold Valley Road (Forest Road 93) go another 7.4 miles to approx. SW corner of claim. Just before you get to claim you will see a dirt road that goes down the hill almost to the creek. This is still about ¼ mile from where the claim starts. A 4X4 is rec-ommended on these roads. GPS very helpful to ensure you’re on the claim!

Comments & Member Reports:New claim, need reports!

Access:Land Status:

4X4 reccommended.Tahoe National ForestBLM office is Eagle Lake Field office of the Northern CA District

Directions, Comments & Member ReportsGPS Coordinates & General Claim Information

STAYUP-TO-DATE

Pick & Shovel Gazette

June / July 2012

13

Arizonan Apache Chief 1: Temporarily closed.

n Gold Planet#2: Temporarily closed.

n Git-r-Done: Temporarily closed.

n Gold Rim #1: Temporarily closed.

n Gold Bug: Temporarily closed.n Royal Gold: Temporarily closed.Oregonn Yahoo 1: Temporarily closed.

n Round Table PMC: Temporarily closed.

Washingtonn Redbird 1 & 2: Temporarily closed.Idahon Eldorado #8H: Map location wrong

section, 15-acre claim is located in southeast

quarter section of Section 12

Mining Guide Updates

We need your feedback! If you’ve visited a claim, please visit us online at www.goldprospectors.org and fi ll out the Mining Report.

RD ENTERS CLAIM: 38° 47’ 39.37”N

120° 46’ 32.39”W

RD EXITS CLAIM: 38° 47’ 14.19”N

120° 46’ 49.13”W

Land Status: BLM

GPS Coordinates & General Claim Information

Claims Club Membership Mining Guide

Gold Prospectors Association of America

rOCk CrEEk riCHES

EL DOrADO COuNTY

T11N R11E Sec. 20 MDM

CALiFOrNiA

100 Acres

Directions:From just north of Placerville, CA at the intersection of Hwy 49 and Hwy

193, Take the 193 North for 3.1 miles and bear Right at the fork onto

Rock Creek Rd. Go 5 miles to where the road enters the western claim

boundary.

Comments & Member Reports:New claim! Please send in reports!

Directions, Comments & Member Reports

A LOOK IN TO THE NEW MINING GUIDE...

Watch for more updates in the Pick & Shovel Gazette.

PNS_June2012_LDMA.indd 13

6/1/12 2:03:32 PM

H THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR NEW GPAA MINING CLAIMS MAPS H

H NEW MINING CLAIMS FOR GPAA AND LDMA MEMBERS ONLY H

THIS SPACE RESERVED FORMINING GUIDE UPDATES!

When you become a GPAA or LDMA member,you will receive the great benefit of claim updates and see what new claims you

can prospect on across the country!



Assemblyman Michael Allen, D-Santa Rosa, proposed a bill that would have given the California Department of Fish and Game more power and with less accountability to the public.

Though Assembly Bill 2179 was amended and eventually voted down in the California State Senate, it caused a stir among farmers, ranchers and like-minded groups. It also gave small-scale miners a heads-up for future bills resem-bling AB 2179.

Before finally retiring to the inactive file Aug. 31 with a vote of 23 opposed and 11 in favor, AB 2179 went through six amendments. The bill was initially created to amend, add, and/or repeal sec-

tions 309, 500, 2580, 2582, 2583 and 2584 of the Fish and Game code.

Assembly Bill 2179 would have increased civil penalties that Fish and

Game is able to dole out to violators, raising fines from a $10,000 ceiling to a $20,000 ceiling. Another glaring issue with AB 2179 was the removal of an out-

side, unbiased party overseeing the hear-ing and appeal process of alleged viola-tors. According to opposition of the bill, this would have resulted in the elimina-tion of due process.

According to the original law, Fish and Game’s duty is to “consult with the District Attorney as to appropriate civil or criminal remedies and to seek the con-currence of the Attorney General.”

Joseph Greene, a retired U.S Envi-ronmental Protection Agency research biologist who is also a GPAA member and suction dredge gold miner, said this

proposed legislation would have cut out the middleman and left the final deci-sion solely in the hands of the DFG. This is rarely good news for miners, who already bear a

bull’s-eye on their backs, Greene said.The bill amendment presented April

26 drew opposition from the California Farm Bureau, which stated that the bill gives “fine authority to unelected bu-reaucrats who have an interest in receiv-ing penalty revenue and leaves it to DFG to judge the validity of its own accusa-tions.”

Greene said the situation is remi-niscent of tricks that have been used by other law enforcement agency’s to gen-erate revenue — not only an attempt at a power grab, but a money grab as well.

“It’s just like having a speed trap in a small community to increase your tax base,” he said. “These people will actu-ally be hunting for issues, and they won’t be responsible or fair in the way they be-have. You get into some of these towns and the chief says, ‘You go and get me so many of these tickets. You have a criteria to meet.’ And, I fully would expect that coming out of the state of California.”

Instead of educating the public, Fish and Game would jump into legal action — legal action in which they are “ac-cuser, judge and jury,” according to the oppositional statement submitted by The Gun Owners of California.

The scenario does not bode well for the general public, miners and outdoors groups and would leave the DFG with too much power and the law enforce-ment system without enough checks and balances to make it fair.

“It means the California Department of Fish and Game would just be out there all over the people and looking for trouble,” Greene said. “They might find an issue where the individual is in error, and they’re not going to give them any breaks and educate them so they don’t do it again; they’re just gonna fine them be-cause they’re out for the money, not for the best interest of the environment, the fish and everything they’re really sup-posed to be protecting. They’ve just be-come another taxing agency.”

Greene said California residents may have skirted AB 2179 for now, but they can be sure it will reappear.

“That doesn’t mean that they can’t do it next year, and you know they’ll just continue to resubmit that stuff until they get it,” he said.

Miners need to get educated and stay one step ahead of the curve instead of riding idly behind it, Greene said.

“By the time we know there’s an is-sue, the environmentalists already have it pushed through and taken care of — we’re always fighting it,” he said.

The emergence of AB 2179 is no dif-ferent, Greene said.

“I think it’s important enough to raise a red flag and certainly get the word out to people in different states,” he said. “[Miners] need to be checking and see what their states are doing along these lines.”



MINING GUIDE — ARIZONA

HERCULES / POLARIS / LUCKY 13 / PIMA COUNTYWANDERING STAR / WET ROCKGSR MeridianLand Status: BLM

HERCULES USGS TOPO: CERRO COLORADO60 ACRES T20S R10E SECTION 31 & T21 R10E SECTION 5NORTH BOUNDARY @ ROAD: 31° 38’ 55.19” 111° 21’ 34.13”EXTREME SE CORNER: 31° 38’ 27.60” 111° 21’ 28.97”

LUCKY 13 USGS TOPO: ARIVACA160 ACRES T21S R10E SECTION 8NE CORNER @ ROAD: 31˚ 37’ 16.88” N 111˚ 20’ 2.66” WCLAIM BOUNDARY @ ROAD ON E SIDE: 31° 37’ 17.1” N 111° 20’ 04.6”W

POLARIS USGS TOPO: CERRO COLORADO60 ACRES T20S R10E SECTION 32EAST SIDE @ ROAD: 31˚ 38’ 43.65” N 111˚ 20’ 1.15” WROAD @ W CLAIM BOUNDARY: 31° 38’ 04.8” N 111° 20’ 10.2”W

WANDERING STAR USGS TOPO: ARIVACA160 ACRES T21S R10E SECTION 8CENTER OF CLAIM: 31˚ 44’ 45.47” N 110˚ 45’ 34.73” W

WET ROCK USGS TOPO: ARIVACA160 ACRES T21S R10E SECTION 8N END OF WEST ROAD: 31˚ 36’ 30.43” N 111˚ 20’ 28.24” WS END OF WEST ROAD: 31˚ 36’ 2.72” N 111˚ 20’ 14.65” WBOUNDARY @ RD ON SOUTH SIDE OF CLAIM: 31° 36’ 05.08” N 111° 20’ 20.8”W

Directions:There are multiple routes in and around these claims. The condition of these routes varies and changes all the time, so use common sense.

HERCULESFrom From Tucson, take Interstate 19 south to exit Amado/Arivaca. 1/10 mile left on Arivaca Road West 16 miles to Mile Post 7, just past mile marker turn right on dirt road approximately 4.9 miles (always veer left) turn left. Northeast corner of claim is 1/2-mile south on this road. Use topo map.

LUCKY 13From Tucson–Interstate 19 South, exit Amado/Arivaca. 1/10-left on Arivaca Road, 20 miles to mile post #3 on right (west). Take dirt road west 6/10-mile, bear right, then 1 2/10-mile bear left. Go 1/10-mile to claim marker.

POLARISFrom Tucson, take Interstate 19 south to exit Amado/Arivaca. 1/10-mile left on Arivaca Road west, 16 miles to Mile Post 7, just past mile marker turn right on dirt road approximately 3.0 miles (always veer left); turn left and go through small wash. Northeast corner of claim is 1.1 miles on this road. Use topo map.

WANDERING STARFrom Tucson–Interstate 19 South, exit Amado/Arivaca. 1/10-left on Arivaca Road, 20 miles to mile post #3 on right (west). Take dirt road west 6/10-mile, bear right, then 1 2/10-mile, bear left. Claim located 1/2-mile farther down the road from the “Lucky 13” claim.

WET ROCKTake Arivaca Road out of Arivaca, Arizona. There are several trails off of Arivaca Road. A GPS and topo map are highly recommended.

Directions, Comments & Member ReportsGPS Coordinates & General Claim Information

California DFG’s attempted power grab failsScientist warns miners to beware of new legislation, fine increases

It’s just like having a speed trap in a small community to increase your tax base. These people will actually be hunting for issues, and they won’t be responsible or fair in the way they behave.

“

“

Joe Greene





Johnny Walker is more than a whisky brand. Johnny Walker is a trailblazer. And, he comes from a whole line of trailblazers.

While the Walker who presides over the GPAA Chapter in Denver, Colo. has no association with the top-hat-wearing alcohol icon, he does have roots that trace back to the Westward Movement.

“I’m a fourth-generation prospector. My family’s been prospecting Colorado since 1820. We were the first Americans to get out here; actually, my great-great-grandfather, his brother and six other guys were the Taos Trappers,” said Walker, president of the Denver chapter and owner of Rocky Mountain Tourism.

“The trail they came out on became the Santa Fe Trail. They were the first Americans to come up the Ar-kansas River and trap in Colorado, and yes, they found a little gold.”

Walker can’t escape his humble roots. The 60-year-old Colorado native and his wife, Laurie, continue to carry on the age-old tradition of exploration, which co-incidentally, happens to go quite nicely with prospect-ing.

“Anyway, what does that got to do with starting a GPAA chapter? Well, I come from a long line of pio-neers and we’ve kind of been trailblazers through our entire family and this is just one more thing that I’ve always wanted to keep alive,” Walker said. “Truly, this is like blazing a trail in the modern era. There’s no more rivers to discover. I tell you what, there’s a lot of friends to make and a lot of people to focus in the right direc-tion.”

The secret to the Denver club’s success, which just celebrated its first year as a GPAA chapter, is this: The members are “doers.”

“That’s kind of the neat thing, too, is to find so many folks that have the gumption to go and do,” Walker said. “They’re doers. I enjoy that in people.”

Laurie, is one of the biggest doers of all, he said.“It’s been a lot of work for my darlin’ spouse,”

Walker said. “If it wasn’t for Laurie, I don’t think I could have pulled any of this off. That’s the absolute truth. She’s our secretary and treasurer. I was impressed; she really threw herself into it … it’s been a joy for both of us.”

The club members are not just doers, but they are also helpers, inspiring others to pick up a pan. In fact, during the first part of July, Walker and a quarter of his 120 members took 63 underprivileged children out pan-ning.

“What that meant is I got to get 63 kids enthused and a little bit knowledgeable about what we do, and … it was just such a heartwarming experience to see all those little light bulbs come on,” Walker said.

There’s a special spot in Walker’s heart for getting

the younger generation involved in prospecting, as he was just four years old himself when his uncle first took him down to Arapahoe Bar and handed him a pan. Arapahoe Bar, on the westside of Denver, is the loca-tion where gold was first discovered in the state. Not only is Walker trying to teach children the art of gold panning, but he is also working to leave a legacy and keep Colorado’s history alive.

“We’re in the process of gathering all the political clout we can to make Arapahoe Bar a panning preserve,” Walker said. “Colorado is the only state in the Rocky Mountains that doesn’t have any panning preserves … if it wasn’t for Arapahoe Bar, there probably wouldn’t even be a Denver.”

Walker, who remembers Colorado as it was 50 years ago, said he is simply trying to spread the love — both for humanity and for prospecting.

“Of course, I’m old enough to remember being a hippie, and you know, it was all peace and love back then,” Walker said. “A friend asked me a couple months ago, ‘Well, where’s the love?’ And, boy, I tell you, soci-ety has just gone bonkers since.”

One of Walker’s most memorable trips is made up of both love and gold. The non-profit organization, An-gel Flight, contacted Walker and asked him to take a terminally ill child and his family from Florida pros-pecting as a part of child’s final request.

“They wanted to fly out from Florida so I could teach them how to pan for gold and go horseback rid-ing,” he said. “You talk about a heart-wrenching thing … I tell you what, that just blew me away that he want-ed to come out and have me teach him how to pan for gold as his last wish. Wow.”

Aside from sharing the passion for prospecting lo-cally, Walker welcomes folks from across the country and the world to accompany him on his treks up north. As owner of Rocky Mountain Tourism, Walker takes gold prospectors to neighboring states and even to his multiple claims on British Columbia’s Fraser River.

“My partner has a bed and breakfast and so we have a place for people to stay that’s really nice and we can barbecue out by the river. It’s absolutely magnificent scenery and the fishing’s nothing short of awesome. It reminds me of Colorado back in the ’60s. It’s so pristine

— they still have Sasquatch sightings there.”No, really, Walker said he just read about a sighting

in the neighboring town of Lillooet, where a group of school children claimed to have seen the furry wonder. Walker said he’s never seen the beast, but he has spotted a “squibbit,” the elusive squirrel-rabbit hybrid roaming Colorado. Unbelievers scoff, but Walker said he and his wife saw the long-eared critter crossing the road.

Aside from rare animal sightings, Walker also has the inside scoop on gem hunting. Laurie and he take their group on rockhounding outings in search of topaz and smoky quartz near Devil’s Head.

“There’s diamonds to be found up on the state line between Colorado and Wyoming. Naturally, I know a couple ranchers up there, too. It’s not always whatcha know, it’s who you know,” Walker said. “That’s the thing about the GPAA; they’ve got all these claims you can actually get to. And, you know there’s some gold there.”

Walker is more than happy to point people in the right direction when they come calling.

“As a GPAA chapter president you literally talk to people from all over the world,” Walker said. “I’ve talk-ed to people from Europe and Africa, Australia. People get my number and I love talking to people like that. I talked to a fella this morning coming out from Pennsyl-vania,” he said.

Still, in some respects, Denver is no different than any other prospecting locale. Walker and his members still face problems with organizations such as the Bu-reau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.

Most recently, the Forest Service tore down an old girl’s camp on one of the club’s claims. Instead of do-ing away with the camp and being done with it, the or-ganization shut down the area altogether to plant seed, Walker said.

“They came in and seeded stuff and now they’re keeping us out while the native grasses reestablish. Well, I can already tell you at that altitude it’ll be 10 or 15 years before that stuff reestablishes … as dry as we are here and as high as it is there, nah. It’s just an ex-cuse,” Walker said. “So are they messing with us? Yeah. At the same time, we’ve gone to our individual political offices and tried to get their support.”

In fact, Walker has taken a couple political staff members gold panning at Arapahoe Bar. He’s even working with Forest Service Aquatics and Riparian Bi-ologist Dave Winters to put together a reclamation proj-ect by presenting Winters with facts on dredging and its ability to remove mercury and create fish habitat.

“Frankly, I think prospecting is a tool that can be used to reclaim all these rivers that the Corps of En-gineers have quote, unquote ‘straightened out,’” said Walker, who also writes for and mans the website, The Green Prospector. “I’ve done this to several miles of riv-er. You can’t believe how well that can be used to create fish habitat. I know I’m probably singing to the choir. It

Johnny Walker takes it in stride, moderation‘I’ve found more gold in friendships. And, it’s a rare time we actually get skunked.’

Submitted photosLEFT: Denver GPAA Chapter President Johnny Walker shown at his mining claims in British Columbia. RIGHT: Walker near Congress, Arizona.

That’s kind of the neat thing, too, is to find so many folks that have the gump-tion to go and do� They’re doers� I enjoy that in people�

““

* JOHNNY WALKER — Page 16


JOHNNY WALKER Continued from Page 15


SEE CLAIM INFO ON PAGE 14 — MINING GUIDE — ARIZONA

NORTHEAST: 32° 58’ 05.81”N 107° 27’ 44.31”W

SOUTHWEST: 32° 57’ 39.71”N 107° 28’ 15.35”W

Directions:From Caballo, Head South on I-25 to Hwy 152 and go West about 9 miles until you see the dirt road on the left (there is a gate). Go through gate (close behind you) and turn Right. Go about .25 and arrive at Eastern claim boundary.

Comments & Member Reports:New claim. Please fill out reports about your visit! Washes are prone to flash floods during monsoonal season. Drywashing is best and vacuuming bedrock is important with lots of gold.

Access:Terrain:Weather:Water:Land Status:

Easy.High desert with rolling hills.Hot summers and mild winters.No water. Bring your own.Las Cruces BLM District

Submitted PhotoJohnny Walker near Prescott National Forest in Arizona where his ancestor, Captain Joseph R. Walker, first found gold.

just is amazing to me. So we’ve gotten a lot of political support with this.”

Herein lies the amazing part: politi-cians, Forest Service staff, prospectors and Native American tribes all working together.

“We had a meeting with the head of the Forest Service here and head bi-ologist, Dave Owens, the BLM and a rep from the historical society and Native

American peoples. We got them all out there and taught ’em all how to pan at Arapahoe Bar and explained the signifi-cance of the history and the dynamics of the creek there, and everybody’s on board with it,” Walker said.

“They think this should really be a great thing. So we’ve got two senators and two reps and we’re working on a third. And, they’re not all Republicans or all Democrats; they’re from both sides of the fence. Everybody can see the good in it … I was more than a little shocked.”

Besides working on reclamation of the rivers and educating the powers that be about prospecting, Walker just wants to keep the land where it belongs — in the hands of the people.

“It just really floors me when I have Forest Service people tell me I can’t go do something,” Walker said. “This is my land, you know. Our people paid blood for this. I guess that’s true of a lot of GPAA members. A lot of them go way back and a lot of them did a lot to make the West what it is today.”

Life is different than it was nearly two centuries ago. It’s busy. It’s hectic, but Walker said the best way to combat the runaround is getting out in nature with a group of like-minded people. In his case, those are fellow GPAA members.

“Tell you what, I’ve found more gold in friendships,” Walker said. “And, it’s a rare time we actually get skunked. Some-times we actually find enough to pay for the gas and just that rare once in a while we have a story to tell … that’s the joy of it. It’s the best excuse to go out and run the dog and blow the stink off.

“All our lives are always so busy, you know, and we all gotta work and try to deal with all of society. And, sitting out on the claim and shaking the pan … to find a little bit of the treasure the Lord left there — that’s what it’s all about.”

ON THE ’NET

Find out more about Johnny Walker’s company Rocky Mountain Tourism as well as the ins and outs of gold and gem hunting in Colorado and surrounding ar-eas: www.rockymountaintravel.net


All our lives are always so busy, you know, and we all gotta work and try to deal with all of society� And, sitting out on the claim and shaking the pan … to find a little bit of the treasure the Lord left there — that’s what it’s all about�

“

“




TESTA FIELD The Gold Exorcist

ACCURATE METAL DETECTORS

By GARY STURGILLGPAA Chapters & Trade Show Manager

I tossed my digging tools, pans, clas-sifiers and my favorite No. 2 shovel into the truck, along with the new Gold Exor-cist and headed out to one of our GPAA claims early to avoid the 100-plus degree heat.

My mission was to try out the Exor-cist in a dry creek bed. I put it together the night before, so I wouldn’t drop any pieces in the sand. The legs are numbered so you can get them in the right position the first time. They are held together with one hand-tightened bolt.

With the legs attached, I slid in the upright mounts to which I would later at-tach the top hopper box. Then, I put the hopper in place and hand tightened the last bolts. I was impressed that it all went together in about 10 minutes.

Once creekside, I unloaded my gear and began the search for the best place to dig. After finding a nice hole on the inside of a corner that somebody had dug down to the big rocks for me, I set up the Exorcist on a level spot and started clas-sifying this promising paydirt through a 1/8-inch mesh.

As I fired up the blower and started filling the hopper, which was adjusted to the size of classified material, I noticed that the material was dancing across the filter screen in a nice, steady flow. The key to this unit is the filter system. All the other drywashers create an electro-static charge that not only affects the material being run, but the filters. Like charges will repel each other, forcing the fine gold to stay mixed with the charged particles and not allowing it to drop out of the matrix.

The filter in the Gold Exorcist main-tains a neutral charge, always! The filter does not repel the fine gold, so you get

it all. The filter is made of wood, what you don’t see are the layers of different materials and chemical compounds that make up the filter itself. Everything from the wood frame to the different layers and chemical compounds guarantees a neutral charge always! Forced air mov-ing through metallic concentrates, gold and black sand will always create a static charge. How great a charge depends on the humidity of the environment. The dryer the air, the greater the charge.

After running six buckets of classi-fied material, I cleaned out the Exorcist to find quite a bit of almost microscopic gold along with some flakes and fines.

The Gold Exorcist will also capture platinum and silver as easily as it does the gold, so watch for all three precious metals in your concentrates!

Your filter is guaranteed to capture gold for a period of five years. If your filter stops working as described, Accu-rate Metal Detectors will replace it for free. Simply return the old one so they can test it to see why it failed so it won’t ever happen again.

You can order your new Gold Ex-orcist from Accurate Metal Detectors. They can be reached by phone at 800-662-0810 or you can order online at www.thegoldexorcist.com

I was highly impressed by the com-pactness of this machine and its ability to capture such fine gold that I had to use a 20X power loop to really see it. I give this unit two thumbs up and plan to re-turn to the dry creek bed the next chance I get!

Gary Sturgill is Chapters and Trade Show Manager for the Gold Prospectors As-sociation of America. He can be reached at [email protected].

Gold Exorcist drives out demon sandsAll the fine gold left behindfor you is good for the soul

Photos by Gary SturgillTOP: This is where the magic happens.ABOVE: The Gold Exorcist at work.BOTTOM LEFT: The Hopper.BOTTOM RIGHT: Nice color.

CONTACT INFORMATION:Office Line: 361-937-2900

[email protected]


he’s never been keen to this notion or been cited for any illegal activity.

“They’re profiling us against what they see on TV,” said Owens in response to TWRA’s press release claiming cable television shows are promoting commer-cial-scale mining among individuals. “None of these agencies or any of these individuals really have any idea at all what a three-inch suction dredge does … they need to get their facts straight before they come out and throw rotten eggs. Kudos to the Hoffman’s (of Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush Alaska) and all that … but we’re not all like that. We’re not all large-scale; we don’t all have front-end loaders and 30-ton dump trucks.”

The anti-dredging stance of TWRA and TDEC was cemented after a dispute July 27 on Little River, which is a popular recreation spot within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; it attracts not only prospectors, but also fishermen, tubers, swimmers and kayakers.

Owens, who frequents Little River said there was a territorial dispute be-tween a dredger and a swimmer, which resulted in the swimmer calling the po-lice. Upon arrival, the police notified all parties that they could not take any legal actions because neither party was participating in illegal activity, according to Coker Creek GPAA Chapter President Chuck Pharis.

Although the police did not cite any-one, the incident was reported to TWRA. According to an article in The Daily Times of Blount County, a woman re-ported people were “working in the river with equipment and turning over rocks, and she did not think that was right.”

“I’ve heard rumors of [them shutting down dredging] for years, you know, just kind of through the grapevine,” said Coker Creek GPAA Chapter Vice Presi-dent Al Trotter, who is helping Owens collect information about recent dredg-ing activity and legislation. “I wasn’t really surprised though. I don’t think, in my humble opinion, it all stems from this one incident; it just gave them the oppor-tunity to do something about it.”

TWRA sent Lindbom to Little River to assess the situation, take down names of offenders and notify those individuals that they had to cease prospecting activi-ties or receive a $2,500 fine as well as confiscation of their equipment and pos-sible jail time.

“I never knew about [the dredging that was occurring],” Lindbom said. “Heck, if I had ever seen them I would have told them it’s not OK.”

Not only did Lindbom claim he didn’t know about the dredging activity taking place in Blount County, but Pharis said Lindbom didn’t seem to understand the basic methods of small-scale suction dredging.

“[Rob] doesn’t know very much about prospecting at all,” Pharis said. “I had to teach him a little bit over the phone.”

Lindbom said this isn’t an issue of lack of enforcement in the past, but TDEC Assistant Manager of Natural Re-sources Robert Baker said the dredging issue is a hot topic and comes up regular-ly. Still, he consented that it has always

been illegal, according to state law.“This is not the first time we’ve re-

sponded to this,” Baker said. “The an-swer’s always been the same — it’s il-legal without a permit. There has been a lot more gold prospecting activity lately, which leads to perceptions that some-thing needs to be done or enforced … it comes up pretty regularly.”

Is the dredge ban lawful?Pharis scrambled once he heard the

rumblings. Taking to action, Pharis ap-pointed Owens and Trotter as the “task force” responsible for figuring out the dredging mess. But, both Trotter and Owens have received the run-around from the various agencies involved.

“Our information is kind of scattered and fragmented right now,” Trotter said. “We’re just in the beginning of trying to make a concerted group effort to find out who we need to talk to to get it re-versed.”

Pharis and his compatriots hope that a meeting will clear up most of the con-fusion that has been brewing since the end of July.

What they do know is that TWRA officials stand by and quote Tennessee annotated code law 70-4-206 as an anti-dredging foundation. The code law bans pollution in waterways, pollution that is “injurious to fish life or other aquatic or-ganisms, or that could be injurious to the propagation of fish, or that results in the destruction of habitat for fish and aquatic life.”

Despite the seemingly good nature of the code, TWRA General Counsel Sheryl Holtam said the agency has not actually done any research to prove that dredg-ing is in fact harmful to fish and other aquatic life.

“Yes, we would have to prove the el-ements of a case, so we wouldn’t write a ticket unless we could prove elements of a case,” Holtam said. “We would have to prove harm to organisms … I’m told there are some endangered animals in the water. That’s what I’m told; I’m not a bi-ologist.”

Baker, who draws up permits for TDEC, said their agency cites the Clean Water Act as well as Tennessee statute 69-3-108, which prohibits “the alteration of the physical, chemical, radiological, biological, or bacteriological properties of any waters of the state.”

Besides prospectors altering waters, Baker said he is concerned with the large number of individuals using the water-ways for recreation.

“One of the main concerns is not just the individuals but the number of indi-viduals, the cumulative impact,” Baker said. “That is a multiple use, almost a competitive use stream. What the dredg-ers are doing may be incompatible with other recreational users so those are some

things to work out.”

Is a permit the answerto Tennessee’s dredging woes?Aside from TWRA and TDEC hav-

ing their hands in the dredging matter, Baker said Tennessee Valley Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the Army Corps of Engineers will all have to be included in conversations about whether to create and issue a special permit for small-scale suction dredgers.

“Right now we’re still in the initial reaction stage,” Baker said. “The next step is to identify the regulatory remedy and move forward from there.”

For the time being, Baker said dredg-ers are welcome to apply for an Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit (ARAP), though there is no guarantee it will be approved. In addition, if that permit is obtained, the applicant may also need a permit from the Army Corps of Engi-neers. In order to acquire an ARAP, one must fill out appropriate paperwork, pay a fee and “place a division approved le-gal notice in a local newspaper and post a placard near the project site.” A public hearing must be held if anyone from the general public requests one. Annual fees for the permit range anywhere from $50 to $2,500.

“Each [permit application] would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis,” Bak-er said. “The water in the river and the critters of river are owned by the citizens of the state of Tennessee so any time that TDEC authorizes somebody to change something that’s in the public ownership, they need to allow the public to make comments.”

Owens has taken the Army Corps of Engineers route, hoping they will issue him a dredging permit; nonetheless, he is told that will not help his cause.

“I was told by a TWRA official that my dredging permit had to come across his desk and more than likely, wasn’t nothing gonna be done about it; it would

be discarded,’” Owens said. “I did not know I was a sacrificial lamb … I get to another agency and get chopped up for gator bait.”

The biggest problem miners face is a lack of legislative assistance and certain-ty; as it stands, the General Mining Act of 1872 does not apply to anyone east of the Mississippi.

While prospectors are at a stand-still with dredging, Pharis was able to convince TWRA officials to allow non-motorized methods and he also received a verbal waiver from Lindbom to con-tinue dredging practices on the GPAA Coker Creek claim within the Tellico Ranger District, also known as Chero-kee National Forest. Dredging within the district is limited to the Tellico River and Coker Creek and prospectors are re-quired to register with the Tellico Ranger District Office before running equip-ment. In fact, Pharis himself helped draw up these dredging regulations, which cre-ate a dredging season in certain locations within the district and also nail a $250 fine to dredgers who do not register.

“Why can’t we adapt those rules and regulations to the state of Tennessee?” Pharis said. “Don’t come in and say two or three people are screwing up the area and stop prospecting in the entire state.”


IN THE NEWS:

The Daily Times in Blount Countyhttp://www.thedailytimes.com/Lo

cal_News/story/TWRA-concerned-about-gold-prospecting-in-Little-River-

id-026435

Tennessee Wildlife ResourcesAgency’s stance on dredging:http://news.tn.gov/node/9342

Attempt to ban dredging leaves small-scale miners in a quandaryTENNESSEE Continued from Page 1

LAWS CITED IN FAVOR OFTENNESSEE DREDGE BAN

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency cites Tennessee’s annotated code law 70-4-206: Pollution of waters penalty for violations nuisance.

a. No pollution, including, but not limited to, dye waste, petroleum products, brine waste, refuse from a mine, sawmill or construction activity, industrial or domestic sewage, or any deleterious or poisonous substance or activity, shall be thrown or be caused, or allowed to run into, wash into or take place in any waters, either private or public, in a manner injurious to fish life or other aquatic organ-isms, or that could be injurious to the propagation of fish, or that results in the destruction of habitat for fish and aquatic life.

b. A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor. Each day’s violation of this section constitutes a separate offense and each five (5) days’ continuous violation also constitutes a public nuisance, subject to abatement by permanent injunction.

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation cites the federal Clean Water Act as well as Tennessee’s annotated code law 69-3-108: Permits (the law in its entirety can be found at www.tn.gov/environment/permits/tcalink.shtml)

a. Every person who is or is planning to carry on any of the activities outlined in subsection (b), other than a person who discharges into a publicly owned treat-ment works or who is a domestic discharger into a privately owned treatment works, or who is regulated under a general permit as described in subsection (l), shall file an application for a permit with the commissioner or, when necessary, for modification of such person’s existing permit.

b. It is unlawful for any person, other than a person who discharges into a publicly owned treatment works or a person who is a domestic discharger into a privately owned treatment works, to carry out any of the following activities, except in accordance with the conditions of a valid permit:

1. The alteration of the physical, chemical, radiological, biological, or bacte-riological properties of any waters of the state.

Mining Regulations for the Tellico Ranger District:http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5346923.pdf

““facts straight

They are

against what they see on TV.

They need to get their

before they come out and throw rotten eggs. — David Owens, Tennessee Dredger

profiling us


By BRAD JONESGPAA Editor/Content Director

Since news first broke about trouble in Tennessee, Public Lands for the People has stepped up to help GPAA members and the small-scale mining community.

The PLP offers its expertise in fight-ing legal battles supporting miners across the United States.

PLP President Jerry Hobbs said his organization has assisted GPAA mem-bers and small-scale miners work out so-

lutions with federal, state and local offi-cials in several states east and west of the Mississippi.

Although the PLP has put a lot of its focus on fighting the dredging ban, in California, Hobbs

said the PLP is a nationwide organiza-tion and will do what it can to support miners and mining rights anywhere in the country.

“We are always glad to help in any-way we can,” Hobbs said.

The PLP is currently awaiting a Cali-fornia Superior Court decision that could combine six sifferent lawsuits related to the California dredging ban into one case.

Suction dredge gold miners are growing increasingly impatient after spending a fourth summer out of the wa-ter since the original two-year moratori-um, Senate Bill 670, was signed into law by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The ban was extended with the signing of Assembly Bill 120 by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Hobbs is keeping his fingers crossed that the six lawsuits involving environ-mental groups and miners case will be consolidated into one case and heard by the California Superior Court in San Ber-

nardino by Judge Donald Alvarez.While a court decision is expected

sometime this fall, Hobbs admits he is extremely disappointed and frustrated at how long suction dredge opponents have been able to drag their feet and delay court proceedings, leaving dredgers high and dry.

On another front, the PLP is awaiting a decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on PLP’s lawsuit against the Travel Management Plan and its road closures in Eldorado National Forest in California.

The GPAA is the single largest finan-cial contributor to the PLP and encour-ages all of its members, the mining com-munity and outdoor recreation groups to support it. The PLP is fighting to keep public lands open to the public — not just miners, Hobbs said.

For more updates on the six lawsuits, go to the GPAA website: www.goldpros-pectors.org.

Brad Jones is the Editor/Content Director for Gold Prospectors Association of America. He can be reached at [email protected]

ON THE ’NET

Public Lands for the Peoplewww.plp1.org

Public Lands for the People assists miners in TennesseeSuction dredging-related lawsuits drag on throughout summer in California courts

Jerry Hobbs

“

“

We are always glad to help in any way we can.Jerry HobbsPLP President

in color from red, blue, yellow, aqua, green, brown, pink, clear and white just to name a few of the colors. The beach ceramics from old dishes are gorgeous. This is real beach glass from the Ber-ing Sea, not cheap tumbled glass from someone’s rock tumbler. Also, unique pieces of Nome’s past are sometimes found as well as other sea side treasure.

Longer season All in all, it was a good summer, the

first eight-week season we have had. The Alaska Gold Expedition was ex-tended two weeks this year from its nor-mal six weeks in previous years. This

meant more time for the LDMA and GPAA members who volunteer as crew in camp to do their stuff and two more weeks for participants to get more gold and enjoy the Alaskan experience — for many, a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

For a week-by-week and more in-depth account about the goings on in camp, read the Cripple River Chronicle on the GPAA website: http://www.gold-prospectors.org/Events/Alaska/Crip-pleRiverChronicle/tabid/86/BlogID/26/Default.aspx

Arctic Annie, aka Joyce Cordery, is a longtime LDMA member and freelance writer and author. She can be reached at [email protected]

ALASKA ADVENTURE Continued from Page 9

Photo by Brad JonesArctic Annie displays her Bering Sea beach glass collection.

REMAINING FALL 2012 GOLD & TREASURE SHOW LISTING: October 13 & 14St. Joseph, MO

St. Joseph Civic Arena

October 20 & 21Dayton, OH

Montgomery County Fair

October 27 & 28Spartanburg, SC

Spartanburg Expo Center

l2013 Gold & Treasure

Show Schedule tobe announced soon!


tion. I believe in it completely,” he said. “I’m a true patriot and I believe prospecting has something to do with that.”

He encourgages others to do the same, pointing out that you don’t have to be interested in gold to join the GPAA to protect the public’s right to access public land, not only for prospecting but for all sorts of outdoors activities and recreation.

“You don’t have to join the GPAA and look for gold,” Junghans said. “A lot of people, they belong to these clubs just to donate … You don’t have to look for gold, but your money’s going for a good cause. We’re trying to all fight for our rights.”

And, those rights are being pushed into extinction in Junghans’ Golden State.

“You don’t wanna get me going on that,” he said. “I’m constantly posting on the forums trying to get peo-ple involved. We have signing of petitions. I’ve joined PLP in telling people what they can do. I’ve gone to the capital [Sacramento] a few times and we’re just trying to spread the word as we’re losing our rights. It’s not good. It’s actually sickening what’s happening; how the Karuk [Tribe] could finagle that [lawsuit] with the en-vironmentalists [to put a moratorium on dredging], I’ll never know.”

Junghans said it’s not easy getting people to assem-ble in solidarity though — most people just don’t care until it’s too late. But, he believes that as a state director his job is to assemble and educate.

“A lot of people are stupid and they don’t know what’s going on in this world. They’re caring about now, but they don’t care about the future,” he said. “People nowadays, unless you poke ’em, they don’t wanna do nothing.”

Being a state director provides various challenges for Pucky, but he said they all build character.

“I get a lot of calls from east coast people saying ‘I’m gonna plan a trip. Can you answer some ques-tions?’ And I go, ‘Oh sure.’ Some are really strange calls. People want me to show them exactly where the gold is — like ‘Dig here and you’ll find an ounce,’ ” he said.

While Junghans doesn’t hold that kind of power, he usually has the knowledge to point people in the right direction.

“You get some pretty strange requests,” he said, “so that’s a challenge, but it’s more rewarding than a chal-lenge.”


ON THE ’NET

Clamper history: http://www.eclampusvitus.com/?page_id=15

Public Lands for the People:www.plp1.org

GPAA/LDMAwww.goldprospectors.org

STATE DIRECTOR Continued from Page 12

Submitted photo“Pucky” Junghans gets deep into his gold prospecting adventures.


in the forest area,” he said.Not only does is exclude humans,

but it could end up costing taxpayers big bucks, Wise said.

“Saving one species at a time will cost vast amounts of taxpayer money and leaves us with continually fighting the Endangered Species Act (ESA),” she said. “And, the eco-industry, [which] thrives on finding a new issue to jump on board with, will continue to either take taxpayer money by suing the gov-ernment to save [that species] or apply-ing for more grant money to study it. Either way, we’re screwed.”

The taxpayer burden continues as more grant money is handed to the en-vironmental groups to accomplish their agenda of “sustainability.” According to the Forest Service website, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsak stated, “This new rule provides the framework we need to restore and manage our forests and wa-tersheds while getting work done on the ground and providing jobs. The collabo-ration that drove this rule-making effort exemplifies the America’s Great Out-doors initiative to foster conservation that is designed by and accomplished in partnership with the American people.”

“If you relate this statement to the agency’s directive on sustainability, this would mean that the Forest Service, in concert with the eco-industry, plans to restore our public lands to pre-European influence, providing more green jobs paid for by more grant money going to environmental groups,” Wise said. “This is where the eco-industries’ needs to line their pockets with our tax dollars are exploited and forest users asking for reasonable regulation are ignored, thus creating the new Forest Service rule.”

Wise said the new planning rule is another product of extreme environ-mentalists.

“The forest plan is just that, a plan of operation, much of which was forced on the Forest Service by eco-industry law-suits,” Wise said. “All miners need to re-main vigilant of their rights, or agencies will usurp their authority by law.”

Besides BRC and Cal4Wheel, oth-er organizations involved in the law-suit against the Forest Service include: The Federal Forest Resource Coalition,

Alaska Forestry Association, American Forest Resource Coalition, American Sheep Industry Association, California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, California Forestry Association, Minne-sota Forest Industries, Minnesota Tim-ber Producers Council, National Cattle-men’s Beef Association, Public Lands Council and Resource Development Council for Alaska.

When BRC first got involved, the or-ganization was looking to have a voice, but once the Forest Service blatantly disregarded BRC’s input, the organiza-tion was forced to move forward with a lawsuit, Mumm said.

“The last thing on the planet we wanted to do when we entered into working with the Forest Service on this was to find ourselves in court ... we just didn’t have much choice,” Mumm said. “[The Forest Service] was like a freight train coming down the track and there was no way they were going to listen to reason.”

Stewart said it is important for out-door recreationalists to maintain aware-ness of the changes being implemented in their own backwoods.

“Anytime your local forest has an issue coming up that they’re looking for public meeting, go ahead and attend and learn what is going on so you can be aware,” he said.

Mumm said the best way for indi-viduals to stand up to the U.S. Forest Service is to donate to groups involved in the lawsuit.

“This will end up being a long and drawn-out battle and take an awful lot of money. The biggest thing is to make sure everybody’s aware that this is go-ing on, and the devastating long-term ef-fects this can have on our public lands,” he said.


On the ’Net

U.S. Forest Service Planning Rulehttp://www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule

BlueRibbon Coalitionhttps://www.sharetrails.org/

Cal4Wheelhttp://www.cal4wheel.com/

PLANNING RULE Continued from Page 11

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Creosus draws prospectors from main campNew outer camp popular among participants despite growing painsBy MARY PHILLIPSFor the GPAA

The new Creosus camp lies between the main GPAA Cripple River Mining Camp and an another outer camp known as Ketchmark.

The construction of Creosus began with building the first half of the mess hall in August 2009. Wooden platforms were used with tents to house participants in 2010 and the site was a day camp for prospectors in 2011.

Plans were set in 2011 to load a ship-ping container full of building materials for two hooches at the Cripple River Camp, 12.5 miles west of Nome and move it up the Teller Highway to the property. It was pulled across the tundra by a bulldozer to the new building site. The trommel crew began hauling rock and gravel to extend the trail to the Creosus site to accommo-date truck traffic.

In 2012, the project began with the ar-rival of the construction crew to the site on June 15. Two caretaker hooches were built the first weekend using wooden plat-forms for the floors that were previously used for the floors of the tent hooches. In such a remote setting, all resources are used and re-used. The first participant hooch was built on the tundra before the gravel pads were in place and later moved up onto the gravel to its final resting spot.

Over the next week, large rocks were hauled in for a base for the first row of hooches, followed by gravel from a “gravel pit” dug out of a side hill by the Cripple River. The construction crew worked ahead building numerous floors and side walls to be able to complete the hooch with a roof once the rock work was complete.

On June 26, the crew began erecting the hooches. Eight hooches rose from the ground in just seven days. The prefabri-cated floors were moved into place onto large timbers and the side walls were pushed up by manpower. Joists were set into place followed by plywood and tin roofs. Finishing work of three windows, one door and four bunks were completed with additional shelving for personal be-longings.

Numerous crews were involved with the building of the new camp. Driv-ers from the Transportation Department

trucked in the building materials which included 2x4 lumber, plywood, nails, roof felt and roofing tin. The two new outhous-es were pre-cut at Cripple River and then constructed onsite, complete with toilet seats!

After the ninth hooch was completed, the wood stoves were installed with their stove pipes by crew members from the Camp Ops Department from Cripple Riv-er Camp. One stove pipe had the innova-tion of a No. 10 can cut to form a cap with metal strapping from the lumber to secure it to the hooch and a vegetable can to hold the pipe away from the wood building.

During the time of the raising of the hooches from the prefab parts, the rock and gravel continued to be laid for the next row of hooches. The site for the placement of the mess hall and storage containers were prepped after the pads for the hooches were done. The first partici-pant hooch built on the tundra was moved onto its resting spot and preparations were made to move the original mess hall building up onto the gravel.

Just as predicted, it took two hours from start to completion to move the original half of the mess hall onto the new

gravel. That same day, while the backhoe was on site, two shipping containers, one for the storage of food and the other for prospecting equipment, were moved into place on one end of the mess hall.

The shower/laundry room was framed on the ends of the containers as part of the new complex.

The first participants arrived at Creo-sus July 7 with their boots on as the new gravel was muddy from the rain and water thawing off the tundra, but soon after sun-ny weather dried the yard. Smiles were all around while eating dinner on the new floor of the chow hall ‘outside’ before the wall was moved for the addition. It was like a party on the patio with the new pic-nic tables.

All preparations were made by the construction crew and the addition to the mess hall was completed in a single day. One wall was moved to its new outside position, two end walls were raised and the roof was added during sunny weather. Many men helped carry the support beam for the roof and set it into place.

The inaugural group of participants saw the first common operation find gold.

Five weeks and three days after the initial construction crew arrived onsite of Creosus, the construction phase was complete: Nine participant hooches; two caretaker hooches, two double outhouses, a shower house and the mess hall doubled in size, including a full kitchen with run-ning water and electricity. And the con-tainers were moved into place.

Progress was seen during this time with the fresh water supply which was ini-tially buckets of water hand carried from the stream 300 feet away. Next a rack was built on the back of an ATV to carry the buckets to the kitchen. Then, a water tank was brought to the site and filled with a pump and hose. Buckets continued to be carried to the kitchen for cooking and drinking and washing dishes until the plumbing was completed June 23.

I wish to extend many thanks to Todd Eidem, who was a tremendous help with his construction expertise, especially roofs. Dean Childress and Steve Galispe installed the plumbing and Sam Boucher did the electrical work. I would also like to thank my husband, Dave Phillips, for his knowledge and skills in organizing ev-eryone who contributed to the building of Creosus.

Many other crew members assisted in everything from hauling and laying rock to pounding nails, cutting boards, and hoisting hooch walls. Some were there several weeks and others just for a day, but all of their hard work and talents were appreciated.

I would also like to extend many thanks to the participants for their pa-tience and understanding while the finish-ing touches were done at the new camp.

Editor’s Note: The GPAA would like to offer special thanks to this year’s camp hosts Mary and Dave Phillips and assistant camp hosts Richard Campbell and Mary Ellen Chacom, as well as the many crew members who helped build and open Cre-osus Camp. While we experienced some growing pains, the new outer camp will provide enjoyment to Alaska Gold Expe-dition participants for years to come.

Submitted PhotosBELOW: The first group of Alaska Gold Expedition participants.

Photos by Brad JonesLEFT: Creosus Camp Hosts Dave and Mary Phillips. RIGHT: Assistant Creosus Camp Hosts Richard Campbell and Mary Ellen Chacom.


By MICHAEL GREYSHOCKFor the GPAA

State and national pride was on the line at the Panning Championships held during the Heritage Festival in Foresthill, California. Despite the competitiveness among the dozens of participants, a spirit of camaraderie ruled the air, as is usually the case when prospectors gather. The competition was held in a setting of cedar and pine at Foresthill Memorial Park on Sept. 1 and 2.

Participants competed in eight cat-egories; women’s, men’s, veteran’s, junior’s, classic (only steel pans), be-ginner’s, team and open for the State Championships, and six categories (all but junior’s and beginner’s) for the Na-tional Championships. The podium was dominated by past participants, Don Robinson, Mike and Barbara Sutton, Jim Eakin, Joyce Mason and other peren-nial favorites. Techniques varied greatly, such as Jim Eakins’ tub draining violent white water compared to the sure hands of Don Robinson with his faithful bent steel pan.

With hands on a tub of water at waist height, competitors wait for the signal to pan their half-filled three-gallon buckets of gravel. Timers stand by and a crowd of onlookers cheer as water flies and pans swirl behind a blacksmith shop sur-rounded by mining relics in the historic setting of California’s Gold Country. Speed may be the goal, but not at the ex-pense of losing gold, as competitors are penalized for losing every fleck. Judges place a number of pieces, known only to them, in the competitor’s buckets and inspect their vials upon finishing. Many raised their pans to signal completion only to learn they had not recovered all the gold.

Recent years have seen an increase in the variety of pans used. A flat pan of about one inch deep has seen the fastest times since its introduction a few years ago. Specifically made for competition, these oddly shaped pans defy the com-mon sense of most prospectors who hold them for the first time. Called “Ferrari pans” or “speed pans,” the European de-sign was deftly used by many competi-tors for the first time this year and proved their mettle. Defending California State Open Champion, Malcom Thomas of the United Kingdom, once again blew away the competition, winning with a time of 3:13.08 to the second-place time of 7:13.08. He displayed an unusually calm and deceivingly slow technique,

well suited to the “Ferrari pan.” The fastest time of the event was

turned in by longtime podium regular Barbara Sutton, in the National’s Open event. Her time of 2:55.66 proved that women do far more than hold their own with a pan. Seven other women medaled in the mixed events and were seen car-rying a heavy display of hardware com-pared to their husbands.

Aside from the competition, vendors lined the park with food, books, pros-pecting equipment and jewelry. Volun-teers were there to give both young and old, instruction on how-to use a gold pan. And missing this year, but scheduled to return next year, is the Jack and Jill Lum-berjack competition, which celebrates the areas other heritage — logging.

Prospecting remains a healthy means of enjoyable recreation for the entire family. Foresthill’s Heritage Celebration introduces new ones to the pastime we all love and provides a continued appre-ciation for the industries which helped build the country. If you plan to partici-pate next year, be warned, these folks are good — especially the women.

For full results, go to: http://www.goldprospectors.org/Communication/ArticlesandInformation/tabid/153/EntryId/644/Panning-championships-draw-friendly-fierce-competitors.aspx

Mike Greyshock is a full-time prospec-tor and freelance writer based in California. He can be reached at [email protected].

Panning championships draw friendly, fierce competitors

Photos by Mike GreyshockKevin Gilbrech, of the winning State team the 3 G’s, pans efficiently to help his team take home the gold medal.

Photos by Mike GreyshockABOVE: Don Robinson (bronze), Joyce Mason (gold) and Jon Petri (silver) have some fun while accept-ing their medals for the State Veterans event.

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This issue’s featured State Direc-tor is Douglas "Pucky" Junghans of California. ......................See page12.

ALABAMAJohn Johnson ��334-297-8601Mike Finlay ��205-563-3244Scott Holland ��334-756-3842

ALASKAJoe Demaree ��907-283-7807Thomas Ireland��907-830-1221

ARIZONAFred Siekmann �� 480-947-8617Donald Savill �� 520-378-0303

CALIFORNIAPucky Junghans �� 925-672-1863Ray Wilkerson �� 760-598-6441Nancy Roberts �� 559-681-5144

COLORADOWayne Peterson �� 970-884-0227William Martsolf �� 970-858-9093

CONNECTICUTLester Kemble �� 860-228-8037

FLORIDASteve Martin �� 321-689-9424

GEORGIADave Messer �� 770-319-9276W� Gene Adams �� 678-364-1065

IOWAHoward Ron White �� 319-936-7291

IDAHORoger Monson �� 208-303-7541

INDIANAEdward Romine �� 812-736-1375

KANSASRandy DonCarlos �� 785-793-2497

KENTUCKYRaymond Marting �� 740-533-0259Steve Paine �� 951-549-9955

LOUISIANAThomas Caughlin �� 318-259-4453

MASSACHUSETTSMatt LaClaire �� 413-367-9436

MARYLANDJody Francisco� �� 240-361-7798

MAINEGloria Campbellton �� 207-582-2677Jack Duggins �� 207-582-9267

MICHIGAN Robert Bednarick �� 231-775-0085Jamie Wright �� 269-731-5139

MISSOURIJeff Lawrence �� 816-313-2266Tom Gabriel �� 816-532-4449

MISSISSIPPITerry Burge�� 601-798-8238

MONTANACliff Simonsen �� 406-642-3292Kevin Grasser�� 406-628-8314

NORTH CAROLINABobby Crawford �� 704-637-4987

NEW MEXICOJerry Gilbert �� 575-740-4347Larry Lovett �� 915-585-6323Paul Rockhold �� 505-250-5529

NEVADATom Costen �� 702-452-1049

NEW YORKDaniel Miller �� 607-524-8401

OHIOBud Kaczor �� 440-734-4027Harold Walters �� 740-687-1184Ted VanHouten �� 740-599-6965

OKLAHOMAPaul Martin �� 405-386-4050

OREGONSteve Houston �� 541-401-1613Robert Rasey �� 503-397-3047Robert Wedding �� 503-761-0635

PENNSYLVANIAJoseph Doren �� 814-342-2661

SOUTH CAROLINAFrank Wright Jr�� 803-407-7414

SOUTH DAKOTARandy Noll �� 605-310-2988

TEXASPhillip Caffey �� 972-680-0377Derroll Ross �� 942-325-5822

UTAHVon Thompson �� 801-562-1928Michael Quinn �� 801-808-0343

WASHINGTONRobert Cunningham �� 360-961-8217Donald Kirst �� 360-457-1302

WISCONSINMike Flint �� 608-372-0694

WEST VIRGINIAArchie Morris �� 304-342-4387Joe Smoot ��304-972-1976

WYOMINGHenry Harsha �� 307-875-4081Donald Ashley �� 307-220-8751

GPAA StateDirectors

Featured State Director


If you need to change or add chapter informa-tion, please email [email protected] or call 1-800-551-9707, Ext. 168. All changes must be submitted in writing by email or regular mail and must be requested by a cur-rent chapter officer�

ALABAMA (CRAGFORD, AL)

Bill Lambeth • 334-864-8197ALASKA

(ANCHORAGE, AK) Thomas Ireland [email protected]

(KENAI, AK) Joe DeMaree • 907-283-7808 www�gpaakenaichapter�com

ARIZONA (PARKER, AZ)

Angel Lund • 760-627-4027 (PHOENIX, AZ)

Fred Siekmann • 480-947-8617 arizonagold@cox�net

(PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ) Bobby Shearon • 928-775-2506 nolan_akin@msn�com

(SIERRA VISTA, AZ) Tom Tierney • 520-378-3294

(SHOW LOW, AZ) Ron Ream • 928-242-2310 wmcslaz@hotmail�com

(TUCSON, AZ) David Steimle • 520-294-5074 desteimle@msn�com

ARKANSAS (FAYETTEVILLE, AR)

Dwight McDonald • 479-965-7055 www�gpaachapteroftheozarks�com

CALIFORNIA (BAKERSFIELD, CA)

Gil Angelo • 661-301-4409 gpaagil@yahoo�com

(BREA, CA) Max Maxilom • 626-488-9310 aunut2k@hotmail�com

(CHATSWORTH, CA) Pat Keene • 818-993-0411 pat@keeneeng�com

(CHICO, CA) Mark Thompson • 530-520-5134

(CONCORD, CA) Brian Ramos • 408-256-1244

(FRESNO, CA) Nancy Roberts • 559-681-5144 cvprospector@cvprospectors�org

(HESPERIA, CA) Hugo Mietzner • 760-524-1822 aumojaveprospectors�org

(HIGHLAND, CA) Dale Wahlfeldt • 909-437-2765 dwahlfeldt@hotmail�com

(HEMET, CA) Arnold Shields • 951-544-0145

(MARIPOSA, CA) Patrick McCall • 209-966-6199

(PASO ROBLES, CA) Henry Geiger • 618-709-6849 www�goldenvalleyprospectors�org

(REDDING, CA) J.R. Brandvold • 530-356-9389 ernestbrandvold@yahoo�com

(SACRAMENTO, CA) Jim Hutchings • 530-367-5108 jhutchings22@hotmail�com

(SAN DIEGO, CA) Chester Nowicki • 760-747-1165 CandHNow@cox�net

(SAN JOSE, CA) Mike Phillips • 408-595-9121

(STOCKTON, CA) Robert Guardiola • 209-606-0085 www�deltagolddiggers�webs�com

(TEMECULA, CA) Jack Barber • 951-595-0942 www�gpaatvp�com

COLORADO (COLORADO SPRINGS, CO)

Ron Woods • 719-597-6104 albertawoods@q�com

(DENVER, CO) Johnny Walker • 720-523-3386 johnny@denvergpaa�org

(DURANGO, CO)

Wayne Peterson • 970-884-0227 nuggetbrain1@msn�com

(GOLDEN, CO) Joe Johnston • 303-696-6950 nuggetbrain1@msn�com

(GRAND JUNCTION, CO) Howard Martsolf • 970-523-1357 www�gjgpaa�org

(GUNNISON, CO) Bill Hart • 970-209-6970

(OLATHE, CO) Marlin Littlefield • 970-399-7557 marlinlt@skybeam�com

(RIFLE, CO) Tim Kinion • 970-618-4214

CONNECTICUT (DANIELSON, CT)

Lester Kemble • 860-228-8037 lkemble@charter�net

FLORIDA (ALFORD, FL)

Ken Parchinski • 850-866-1404 kenneth _parchinski@yahoo�com

(BRANFORD, FL) Willie Willis • [email protected]

(LAKE BUTLER, FL) John Leshuk • 904-964-4677 starkeGPAA@yahoo�com

(ORLANDO, FL) Thomas Davis • 407-625-6926 thomasdavisjr1@gmail�com

GEORGIA (AUGUSTA, GA)

Charles Lott • 706-631-7753 charleslott77©yahoo�com

(BUCHANAN, GA) Alan McCary • 678-401-3879

IDAHO (IDAHO FALLS, ID)

Mario Poletti • 208-785-7477 caribouidahochapter@yahoo�com

(NAMPA, ID) Cary Singleton • 208-863-3580 buckskinmining@cableone�net

(TWIN FALLS, ID/SNAKE R.) Brad Dey • 208-734-4502 thedore@cableone�net

ILLINOIS (ROCK ISLAND, IL)

Ben Nicholson • 309-368-9741 (JACKSONVILLE, IL)

Edward Long 217-245-1465

(ALSIP, IL) Chris Stuewe 708-473-4690 [email protected]

INDIANA (CUTLER, IN)

Chuck Lassiter • 574-652-2139 admin@midwestprospector�com

(FAIRLAND, IN) Todd Balting • 317-835-9426 baltingfam@hotmail�com

(GATESVILLE, IN) Thomas Smith • 812-798-7327 tjsmith@iendeavor�com

IOWA (MALCOM, IA)

AJ Ream ridgerunner@netins�net

KANSAS (WICHITA, KS)

Rick Farnsworth • 316-734-2064 info@wichitagpaa�org

KENTUCKY (LONDON, KY)

Jody Roberts • 606-877-5041 jodyroberts39@yahoo�com

LOUISIANA (ALEXANDRIA, LA)

Thomas Caughlin • 318-259-4453 [email protected]

MAINE (WEST ENFIELD, ME)

Dwight Tilton 207-794-4434 (WINDSOR, ME)

Harry Blake • 207-929-5978 goldpnr@hotmail�com

MARYLAND (FREDERICK, MD)

Jody Francisco • 240-361-7798 jodylaurafrancisco@yahoo�com

MASSACHUSETTS (HUDSON, MA)

Matt LaClaire • 413-367-9436 mlaclaire@yahoo�com

MICHIGAN (REMUS, MI)

Warren Bennet • 517-861-9591 dozermanzo@yahoo�com

MINNESOTA (KASSON, MN)

John Wilkus • 507-835-2761 john�wilkus@gmail�com

(BAYPORT, MN) Adam McCloud 651-235-3703

(SAUK CENTRE, MN) Greg Tamillo • 320-352-3802 gttamillo@mainstreetcom�com

MISSOURI (ST. JOSEPH, MO)

Jim Dye • 816-390-8803 diamonjim@stjoelive�com

(ST. LEWIS, MO) Doug Hudson • 314-807-0618

(WELLINGTON, MO) Randy Don Carlos • 785-231-0860 mo_gpaa@hotmail�com

MONTANA (BELGRADE, MT)

Richard Kantorowicz • 406-580-4055 gpaainfo@yahoo�com

(BILLINGS, MT) Melvin Waymire • 406-860-1624

(LEWISTOWN, MT) Scott Bassett • 406-366-3577 [email protected]

(LINCOLN, MT) Bob Rosteck • 406-453-9050

NEVADA (LAS VEGAS, NV)

Deanna Costen • 702-452-1049 dcosten@cox�net

(RENO, NV) Larry Robbins • 775-475-0258 gpaainforenochapter@yahoo�com

NEW JERSEY (CLARK, NJ)

Bill Grant • 908-644-2440 www�gpaanjchapter�org

NEW MEXICO (BLUEWATER, NM)

Albert Sims • 575-437-8594 butch@camacs�com

(DEMING, NM) Russ Schumacher • 575-544-0838

NEW YORK (CORTLAND, NY)

Danny Miller • 607-524-8401 goldfanatic@hughes�net

NORTH CAROLINA (ABERDEEN, NC)

Jim Jones • 910-215-3606 bedrockjim@earthlink�net

(KANNAPOLIS, NC) Glenn Coleman • 704-299-2808 glenncoleman43@gmail�com

(SALISBURY, NC) Bobby Crawford • 704-630-4987 brcgoldman@yahoo�com

OHIO (BELLVILLE, OH)

Larry Koprevic • 330-605-4643 gradall44@aol�com

(LUCASVILLE, OH) Raymond Marting • 740-533-0259 ramarting@mail�com

OKLAHOMA (ADA, OK)

Phil Roblin • 580-320-3424 (OKLAHOMA CITY, OK)

Mike Pung • 405-736-6282 mcwood@iglide�net

OREGON (BROWNSVILLE, OR)

Wendy Houtz • 541-990-6214 fire [email protected]

(EUGENE, OR) Scotty Rintoul • 541-895-8811

(KLAMATH FALLS, OR) James Simington • 541-851-0374

(PORTLAND, OR) Richard Ruth • 503-348-5271 richardruth5@frontier�com

(ROSEBURG, OR) Tony Walton• 541-863-6268 tkwally2010@yahoo�com

PENNSYLVANIA (BETHLEHEM, PA)

Dave Buzzard • 610-431-4693 president@delawarevalleygpaa�com

(GREENVILLE, PA) Sean McGarry • 330-793-5357 alleghenychapter@hotmail�com

(NEW OXFORD, PA) Gale Livelsberger • 717-817-7569 [email protected]

(PORT MATILDA, PA) Robert Seager • 717-935-5384 caverzig@embarqmail�com

SOUTH CAROLINA (LIBERTY, SC)

Alan Smith • 864-419-4150 (SENECA, SC)

Dan Crawford • 864-843-6729 (SIMPSONVILLE, SC)

Wayne Schook • 864-963-0821 cmschook@yahoo�com

SOUTH DAKOTA (RAPID CITY, SD)

Mike Borden • 605-209-1295 mikeandlu@rushmore�com

TENNESSEE (COKER CREEK, TN)

Chuck Pharis • 818-802-1603 chuck@pharis-video�com

(HARTSVILLE, TN) Charlie Puckett • 615-374-3490

pdezign1@yahoo�comTEXAS

(EL PASO, TX) Pete Rosh • 915-755-0295 lrpeterosh@att�net

(GRANBURY, TX) John Dennett • 817-694-6405 gpaa77@yahoo�com

(GREENVILLE, TX) Don Brisendine • 903-725-7960 donlin@etex�net

(OMAHA, TX) Patrick Hughes • 903-573-3817

(ROUND ROCK, TX) Kevin Green • 512-310-8111 kevin@roundrockgpaa�net

(WICHITA FALLS, TX) Rodney Crow • 405-613-1215 [email protected]

UTAH (CEDAR CITY, UT)

Bruce Mitchell • 435-559-4077 (SALT LAKE CITY, UT)

Doug McCart • 801-301-9931 pcsdoug@aol�com

WASHINGTON (AUBURN, WA)

John Dawson • 253-833-2255 (EVERETT, WA)

Eras Gattshall • 425-263-2293 ecgpaa@yahoo�com

(LONGVIEW, WA) Carol Mellis 360-636-9980

(PORT ORCHARD, WA) Lonny Meadows • 253-333-8931 wwgp�com

(RENTON, WA) Brian Kushin 206-922-2408

(SPOKANE WA) Dave Gibbs • 509-238-6126 inlandnwgpaa@hotmail�com

(VANCOUVER, WA) Al Lewis • 971-235-8308 countryal@msn�com

WEST VIRGINIA (NEW HAVEN, WV)

Jim DeWeese • 304-882-2578 gpaawv@gmail�com

(NITRO, WV) Joe Smoot • 304-972-1976 gpaawv@yahoo�com

(CRAIGSVILLE, WV) Larry Board • 304-742-5097 larry_board@yahoo�com

WISCONSIN (GREENBUSH, WI)

Ronald Smith • 920-892-4092 ausmith2005@yahoo�com

(TOMAH, WI) Mike Flint • 608-372-0694 mwink12@excite�com

(WAUSAU, WI) Kurt Bublitz • 715-340-2831 lizzy101@charter�net

(RICE LAKE, WI) Tom Frank • 715-579-7111 tom150@centurytel�net

WYOMING (CASPER, WY)

Rick Messina • 307-234-0244 wooddoctor4@msn�com

(CHEYENNE, WY) Donald Ashley • 307-220-8751 don-5257@hotmail�com

(GILLETTE, WY) Bill Kocher • 307-682-7055 wmkocher5@yahoo�com

(POWELL, WY) Larry OMara 307-899-3702

(SHERIDAN, WY) Ed Kline 307-683-2821


TurbopanTM delivers better gold panningPAID ADVERTISEMENT

Turbopan™ gold pan is a prospecting tool and mining tool for the prospector and artisan miner involved in small-scale mining� Whether you're a hobbyist out looking for a run or a crevice filled with gold – or gold panning for a living in a developing country – Turbopan is the right piece of prospecting equipment that gets all the gold easily and quickly�

Turbopan™ eliminates the problem of compaction that happens in the tradi-tional "Klondike" pan because it is basi-cally a circular sluice in a pan� Turbopan doesn't require running water like a sluice� It simply maximizes the effects of gravity� Its shallow depth means it can be used in puddles and troughs� Tur-bopan is green in color so that you can easily see the gold, see the sapphires (yes!) and also so black sands stand out!

Kim Hillier is the inventor and manu-facturer of Turbopan™� He is an Austra-lian geologist and prospector with over 20 years experience in mineral explora-tion and gold prospecting� His first ex-perience with gold pans was using tra-ditional steel "Klondike" pans, as well as plastic gold pans, whilst doing panned concentrate sampling surveys for allu-vial and hard rock gold�

The process of panning down sam-ples was slow and the results highly variable, depending on the skill and enthusiasm of the panner� He found that compaction of black sands often stopped gold getting right to the bot-

tom of the pan, and it could be lost if the panner wasn't careful�

It was also a slow process!He saw a need for a pan that would

require a lot less technique, was easy for beginners to use, and could reduce a load of dirt quickly – whilst being cheap enough to be available to all budget sizes� He figured the necessary require-ments of a good gold pan would be to:

• Get the gold to the bottom and into a trap as quickly and as ef-fectively as possible

• Get the waste out as quickly as possible whilst not losing any gold

• Allow concentrates to be cleaned up quickly and effectively

After a couple of do-it-yourself at-tempts at building a gold pan, in 2005 Kim decided to get serious about de-signing a gold pan that would be useful to prospectors and artisan miners who were forced to work in less than ideal conditions, often with less than ideal dirt�

He gave the design parameters and some sketches to an engineer who spe-cialised in CAD design for high tech surf-boards, and had a computer controlled machining tool that could cut the mould for the complex pan design quickly and easily�

This proved to be a costly but crucial

step that turned the idea into a reality�The first prototype worked and

showed the potential of the design, but had limitations� A second prototype was produced to overcome the limitations and it worked very well, but needed a bit of tweaking� Turbopan is the third pro-totype!

All design parameters came about from rigorous testing in troughs and in the field� Importantly, the swirling mo-tion allows the full circumference of the pan to be used for waste ejection, which is a major advantage over the traditional "Klondike" pan, which tends to crowd the waste ejection over a small arc�

Customer feedback has been awe-some Kim says, with 98% of customers very happy with their Turbopan and its great performance on very fine gold� “There’s a few customers and internet reviews saying it’s not so great on fine gold, but Kim says it’s not the case� “I was in the Philippines checking out a beach sand deposit at the mouth of a large river that ran through a lot of gold country� I panned down the sand to a concentrate to see what minerals where in the black sand� I put the concentrate under a mi-croscope and at 50 times magnification, saw gold I couldn’t see with my naked eye!”

Customer feedback led to the pan being colored green, as requested by a customer who wished to see the gold and tin more clearly when working in

black sand� Customers also suggested more riffles in the sidewall, which Kim added, and a strengthened rim for in-creased strength and durability�

Feedback like this is typical Kim says, "I got the Turbopan 2 weeks ago and went right away to the beach to test it out� There is a little creek flowing down the hill and I've seen a guy who was panning for gold there� I used my gold sucker to remove enough sand from be-neath a boulder and got the Turbopan filled up� Applying the method seen on YouTube and the turbopan�com website for using the pan for maximum of 1�5 minutes I got nice bunch of small gar-nets on the bottom of the pan! What an amazing tool! The speed of recovery is unbeatable even for a non-professional gold prospector like myself!. Thank you very much!”

A lot of prospectors know there is a lot more fine gold than nugget gold� Problem is a lot of this gold occurs where there is no water� So now Kim is design-ing a Turbopan™ Concentrator - a pan in a bucket so that Turbopan can be used in dry lands where there is no water�

There are plans for other sized Tur-bopans, based on this successful design, but for now Kim wants to win the gold panning world over with the standard model� You've tried the rest, now try the best – Turbopan™!

Using TurbopanTM to pan beach sands at a river mouth in Mindanao, Philippines

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THE SENSATIONAL NEW GOLD PAN FROM AUSTRALIANOW AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY IN THE USA & CANADA!

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ALTERNATE WASH AND SPIN CYCLES

SPIRAL RIFFLES TO BREAK UP THE DIRT

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FLAT RIFFLES TO CLEAN UP CONCENTRATE

TURBOPAN™ SLUICE IN A PAN

BUY IT ONLINE NOW!BECOME A RESELLERCheck turbopan.com for reseller locations


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Call for a Free sample!Felix Paydirt’s Gourmet Gold

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PANNING CONCENTRATES & GOLD NUGGETSGold panning gravel salted with coarse grains

and nuggets� Great for practicing your panning skills� Also, have gold nuggets by the gram�

For information write: DreaMail - GPP�O� Box 1790, Fairview, NC 28730

QUALITY ALL NATURALGOLD BEARING CONCENTRATESNatural gold direct from our trusted

prospectors in the field� Salted and seeded concentrates, but also some of the highest con-

tent paydirt available for gold panning needs and your enjoyment!

“Bring the Venture to Your Home!”www�GOLDpaydirt�com

PANNING CONCENTRATESContaining black sand and gold�

$40�00 per bag plus $4�00 shipping each bag� Quantity discounts available� J� Wammack

P.O. Box 2263, Bentonville, AR 72712

WHEN YOU BUY ONE OF LARRY WRIGHT’Sgold claims located near Randsburg, CA, 93554

he shows you how to find an ounce of gold a week with a recycled wine bottle cork�

Drink the wine! Save the cork! Sober up!Then call (760) 793-5718

EAST AND WEST GOLD MAPSIn color� Large scale� You can see details�

8,000 deposits from official records�The best maps for prospecting�

WWW.GOLDMAPS.COM • (321) 783-4595

FREE CHECKLISTFollow these Steps to Finding &

Filing on your own FREE Gold Claim� www�opengoldclaims�com

GOLD MISER COMPLETE PROSPECTING STORESFULL-LINE METAL DETECTOR DEALER�

DREDGES - HIBANKERS- DRYWASHERS�www�goldmiser�com

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GOLDNEAR: San Diego, Escondido, Julian, Santa Ana,

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ANCIENT RIVERS OF GOLDWWW�GOLDMAPS�COM/ANCIE

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WETSUITS Adult 5X thru kid sizes� Neoprene boots thru size 16 in stock. Also hoods, weight belts, suspend-

ers, masks, dry suits� Bring ad for additional 10% discount� No sales tax in Oregon� Sundance

Divers • 543 NE “E” St., Grants Pass, Oregon (541) 479-9715 • www.sundancedivers.com

HOW TO FIND GENUINE DIAMONDS IN ARKANSAS — DVD

www�DiamondsInAR�com$19�00 plus $5�00 S&HM.A.P. • P. O. Box 1063

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GOLD RUSH ART BY JOHN AGRELLAOriginal Gold Rush images in color�

The Finney Hole, The Art of Dredging & more�Poster, paintings, Giclee's. (858) 736 -5288

Check out www�roysrocker�com

ATTENTION PROSPECTORSIN ARIZONA, NEVADA & CALIFORNIA

Map 1 showing 405 California gold sites along state lines from Mexico to Death Valley is now available� Please see WWW�GOLDMAPS�COM/

CA.HTML (321) 783-4595

TREASURES LOCATED AT LONG DISTANCE. Send me your map. Call (205) 566-9988

Robert Thomason • [email protected]

– CONCENTRATE BAGS –containing gold & gem stones�

$40�00 each bag + $4�00 shipping each bag�B. Sullins • P.O. Box 1031 • Meadview, AZ 86444

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EXCITING NEW BREAKTHROUGH!Now you CAN take it with you!

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that’s on your side and works for you� www.goldcradle.com • (503)357-3697

ARIZONA PLACER GOLD CONCENTRATESfrom Quartzsite, Arizona�

Loaded with fines, pickers, nuggets� 5 different sizes to choose from�

Email for prices� azplacergold@aol�com

MICROWAVE GOLD SMELTINGYes, you CAN smelt gold, silver & scrap jewelry

in your microwave! Kilns and kits now available. New on the market – be the first to get yours!

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GOLD MAPS/GHOST TOWNS • WeSTerN U.S.from Alaska to Colorado to Arizona� Full color

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shown� Ghost towns highlighted and have GPS data� Great for metal detecting and gold

panning� www�GoldTrekMaps�com

“GOLD AND WHERE YOU FIND IT”The book every prospector or wannabe should

have� Only $12�95 + $ 3�00 S/H� Send check or MO to: Gabe G. Kubichek • PO Box 561, Stayton, OR 97383� All books ordered, signed by the author�

WE BUY GOLD CONCENTRATEin bulk only! Also, Looking for profitable mines

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PROSPECT BRITISH COLUMBIAwith Johnny Walker this summer! Make your res-ervations today for these exclusive prospecting

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MAKE YOUR OWN GOLD BARS.COM• tabletop furnaces 2012° F • front load kilns heat

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• J.W. PrOSPecTiNG SUPPLieS • Homestead Mall #60 • 3223 W. Hudson Rd.

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THERMAL CITY GOLD MINE5240 US 221 N • Union Mills, NC 28167

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TIME CAPSULE DETECTOR SALES224 Station Rd. • Quakertown, PA 18951

(215) 536-0796

FOR SALE640 acres 16 miles out of Winnemucca on Barrett Springs Road $125,000� Log cabin is available for extra $75,000. Ivo Ridge (951) 258-0293 or write

to: 10815 Moorcreek Dr�, Houston, TX 77070

DESERT FLOWER PROSPECTING SUPPLY1845 Wishing Well Dr. • Meadview, AZ 86444

P.O. Box 1031 • (479) 466-0867

FINDERS KEEPERS2101 E. Louisiana Dr. • Nampa, ID 83686

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MCKEAN PROSPECTING5 South Iowa, Payette, ID 83661

(208) 642-2051

PROMACK TREASURE HUNTING455 E. Main St. • Quartzsite, AZ 85359

(928) 927-7750 • (877) 450-6463

PROMACK TREASURE HUNTING2204 Apache Trail • Apache Junction, AZ 85120

(480) 983-3484 • (800) 722-6463FAX (480) 983-3279

AA TELEVISION REPAIR & METAL DETECTORS2435 College Hills Blvd. • San Angelo, TX 76094

(325) 944-7088 • [email protected]

SOUTHERN SKIN DIVER& TREASURE HUNTER SUPPLY

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NEED A WEBSITE FOR YOUR PRODUCT? Current site ugly or not getting found?

We specialize in small businesses� Affordable flat fee� No monthly fees�www�GoldRushWebMarketing�com

DON'T SPEND A FORTUNE! Gold recovery equipment for less� Highbankers,

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MINER’S MARKETPLACEPick & Shovel Gazette

Classified Advertising

RATES $1/word with a $25 minimum�

Please Note

We do not take classified ads over the phone� Please use one of the above meth-ods to order�

WHAT TO SEND

Membership number, full name, address, 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 you would like it to appear is this publi-cation, which is published every other month�

IMPORTANT

The Pick & Shovel Gazette cannot accept responsibility for the delivery of goods and services of classified advertisements which appear on this page� We make every effort to screen out all misleading advertising� No blind advertisements� The Gold Prospectors Association of America will not publish advertising of any kind without a current GPAA, LDMA or Gold Life membership number, street address and verifiable telephone number on file� ALL ads are PREPAID� No phone ads are accepted�

PLACE YOUR AD

By mail:

GPAA • P�O� Box 891509Temecula, CA • 92589-1509

By FAX:

951-699-4062

By e-mail:

advertising@goldprospectors�org

GET RESULTS!

1-800-640-0814

Advertise in the Pick & Shovel Gazetteand Gold Prospectors Magazine!

Call James Bond today!


OUTINgS & EvENTS55TH ANNUAL ROCK & MINERAL SHOW

October 6 -7, 2012 • Eugene, OR Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Guy Lee Elementary School, Harlow Road

Springfield, OR� Contact: Don Hoskins (541) 654-2127 [email protected]

or Jim Nelson (541) 687-8100

EUREKA ROCK AND GEM CLUB SHOWOctober 6, 2012 • Mountain Home, ID

Sat� 9 a�m� - 4 p�m� Senior Citizen Center, 1000 N� 3rd E�, Mountain Home, ID�

Admission free� Contact: Roger Beck (208) 587-9374 [email protected]

PORTLAND REGIONAL GEM AND MINERAL SHOW

October 12 - 14, 2012 • Hillsboro, ORFri. & Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m

Washington Co� Fairplex, 873 NE 34th Ave�, Hillsboro, OR 97124� Admission:

Adults $5, children 12 & under free� Contact: Josh Heater (971) 570-5456

VISTA GEM AND MINERALSOCIETY GEM SHOW

October 13 - 14, 2012 • Vista, CA Sat� 10 a�m� - 5 p�m�, Sun� 10 a�m� - 4 p�m� Location: Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum, 2040 N� Sante Fe Ave�, Vista, CA�

Admission free, show and parking� Information: Lois Harr (760) 724-0395

38TH ANNUAL ROCKTOBERFESTGEM AND MINERAL SHOW

October 13 - 14, 2012 • Marysville, WA Sat� & Sun� 10 a�m� - 5 p�m

Totem Middle School Cafeteria 7th Street & State Ave�, Marysville, WA�

Admission free� Contact: Bill Moser (425) 238-8222 [email protected] or George Haage (425) 339-2272

haage@gte�net

“OLD BONES, DIGGIN UP STONES” 46TH ANNUAL SHOW

October 20-21, 2012 • Lewiston, ID Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Nez Perce County Fairgrounds, 1229 Burrell Ave�, Lewiston, ID 83501 Admission: Adults $2, Children free� Contact: Steve Rand (208) 791-2325

65TH ANNUAL GEM, MINERAL & JEWELRY SHOW

October 20- 21, 2012 • Grand Junction, CO Two Rivers Convention Center, 1st and Main,

Show Chairman: Wayne McMacken(970) 255-8374 Cell: (970) 640-9271

www�grandjunctionrockclub�org

WONDERS OF NATURE 2012CLACKAMETTE MINERAL & GEM CLUB

October 27 - 28, 2012 • Canby, ORSat. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m

Clackamas County Fairgrounds694 NE 4th Ave., Canby, OR 97013

Admission free� Slabs, display cases, dealers, demonstrations, food, gold panning, raffle, silent auction, junior activities, door prizes,

fluorescent show and camping� Contact: Rick Mauer (503) 691-6395

tallerricardo@juno�com

2ND ANNUAL GOLD FESTIVALSponsored by Matthews NC Chapter

November 3 - 4, 2012 • Kannapolis, NC Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Sun. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Meeting place: “Coleman's Grove” 2554 Centergrove Road, Kannapolis, NC

28083 Admission Free� Contact: GlennCole-man (704) 299-2808 gpaamatthews.com

8TH ANNUAL SOUTH SOUND GEM, OPAL AND MINERAL SHOW

The Northwest Opal Associationand Cascade Mineralogical Society

November 9 - 11, 2012 Fri� 10 a�m� - 5 p�m�Sat� 10 a�m� - 5 p�m�, Sun� 10 a�m� - 4 p�m�Puyallup Fairgrounds Expo Hall, Meridian

Street South and 9th Ave� SW, Puyallup, WA� Admission $4� Children under 12 free�

Contact: Lyle Jorgensen (425) 483-0557 mechanix@comcast�net

ROCK AND MINERAL SHOWNovember 10 - 11, 2012 • Walhalla, SC Sat.

and Sun. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 112 W. Main Street, Walhalla, SC 29691. Admission free.

Contact: Ebey Smoak (803) 600-5222 thegrapevinemancave@yahoo�com

ANNUAL SHOW “TREASURES OF THE EARTH”

Skagit Rock and Gem Club November 10 - 11, 2012 • Sedro Woolley, WA Sat� 9 a�m� - 5 p�m� and Sun� 10 a�m� - 5 p�m�

Sedro Woolley Community Center, 720 State Street, Sedro Woolley, WA • Admission free.

Contact: David Britten (360) 755-0741P�O� Box 244, Mt� Vernon, WA 98273

The Gold Prospectors Association of America invites you to list your outings and events� Please submit your outings and events by email to publications@goldprospectors�org or by mail to Gold Prospectors Association of America • At-tention: Publications Editor • P.O. Box 891509 • Temecula, California, 92589-1509� Please sub-mit at least four months before the actual event� Don’t forget to include your name and phone number for verification as well a contact name and phone number to publish and the five Ws — Who, What, Where, When, Why — and How�

We Welcome Your Submissions

Documents

TENNESSEE Midnight ALLURE OF ALASKA Mining in the Mojavej.b5z.net/i/u/2089773/f/Pick_ShovelOctNov.pdf · his knuckles gripping those ATV handles as the smell of the northern Pacific