IdahoGoldGettR
Active member
When it comes to metal detecting, I consider myself an old prospector trying a modern day method. As a novice to this type of nugget hunting technique, it sure has tested my patience in previous outings. Fortunately I chose a wooded draw that was so secluded that even hunting was nonexistent. To me, that spelled NO TRASH. Best of all,,, I knew it held Chinese placer workings. With that said, I arrived at the site and went on the walk about with the metal detector. Within minutes, I had encountered my first set of Chinese hand stacked walls. As I peered further up the draw, I saw much of the same (see photo #1). During this pause, I dwelled on the number of workers it took to stack such walls and the amount of gold they must have recovered. If only history could talk, I asked my self.
Throughout the day's search, my Fisher Gold Bug metal detector didn't pick up on any trashy items, nor did it signal any response to shell casings or lead. That was a good thing. However, the search to uncover some gold eluded me. Generally, this region is high in mineralization but there was very little signal throughout the first part of this morning's search. As I worked the Bug diligently, I started to speculate whether I would find anything. Little did I know what the afternoon would hold. After a relaxing 20 minute lunch break, I started to work the higher portion of this draw. My first hit was in a spring fed mossy tailing pile area (photo #2). It was a loud hit and it begged for me to dig. A minute or two later I unearthed my first find, an axe head (photo #3). That nice find sent a spark into this old prospector and further up I detected. Soon, another hit would sound off. Like the last location, this mark was also in a spring fed area (photo #4). This time my patience was in check and so I dug with a little more caution. Moments later, the hole would reveal a rustic miner's cup (photo #5). The weather turned bad shortly after that, putting a stop to all prospecting. I was pleased with how the day had turned out and so I left that draw to return when mother nature was bit more pleasant.
Throughout the day's search, my Fisher Gold Bug metal detector didn't pick up on any trashy items, nor did it signal any response to shell casings or lead. That was a good thing. However, the search to uncover some gold eluded me. Generally, this region is high in mineralization but there was very little signal throughout the first part of this morning's search. As I worked the Bug diligently, I started to speculate whether I would find anything. Little did I know what the afternoon would hold. After a relaxing 20 minute lunch break, I started to work the higher portion of this draw. My first hit was in a spring fed mossy tailing pile area (photo #2). It was a loud hit and it begged for me to dig. A minute or two later I unearthed my first find, an axe head (photo #3). That nice find sent a spark into this old prospector and further up I detected. Soon, another hit would sound off. Like the last location, this mark was also in a spring fed area (photo #4). This time my patience was in check and so I dug with a little more caution. Moments later, the hole would reveal a rustic miner's cup (photo #5). The weather turned bad shortly after that, putting a stop to all prospecting. I was pleased with how the day had turned out and so I left that draw to return when mother nature was bit more pleasant.
