New to nugget hunging

[Forrest Mc]

I would like to do some detecting along the middle fork of the Boise River this summer with my new AT Gold. I've been told that the entire river is claimed up. So, my question is how do I identify a claim so to avoid violating somebody's mineral rights. Also, I've watched plenty of YouTube videos on detecting old mine tailings. Where do I look to see if they are still under claim. Of course, any advice on going about a 3-4 day nugget hunt in Elmore county, Idaho is greatly appreciated.

Forrest Mc

 

[Hoser John]

Experience level detecting mandates who,what and where as without prior skills your in trouble. Have ya done coins,relics or anything before??John

 

[Girffy]

Forrest MC,
Have you looked into join a local club? There are 2 clubs based in the Boise area that have claims in the Boise basin. The Nampa chapter of the GPAA and the Idaho Gold Prospectors Association. They both have claims in the Boise basin that produce and many members with a wealth of knowledge and a willingness to share.

 

[IdahoGoldGettR]

While many streams may look inviting and pose no threat to anyone's claim, it is best to view the LR2000 Idaho Mining Report of active & non-active mining claims. I have seen oodles & oodles of claims that show no evidence of a boundary marker, let alone the discovery point which should contain the claim info, who owns it, and the IMC number. I have no idea how these type of prospectors operate nor can I defend their position if an unsuspected greenhorn attempts to remove minerals from their claim. To those individuals I say: If you are able to pay the fees to protect your claim(s) then you have no excuse not to follow the requirements under the Idaho Recreational Mining regs. and should at least post signs making it known it is claimed. The use of the LR2000 mining report (when updated) can save you a lot of anguish and foot travel than taking a chance panning, sluicing, dredging, highbanking, or metal detecting on a claim that may have an owner who despises trespassers. On the other hand, asking permission with the claim owner is not always a guarantee for prospecting but can be very effective when approached with a friendly attitude. My advice is if you have an interest in a river or stream, see if you can find evidence of postings or marker signs stating it is claimed. If none are visible, locate this stretch of river on the LR2000 Mining Report and see if it is listed as non-active. If it is, then chances are you can work this ground. However if it shows active and you still want to work the ground, call or speak to the owner about obtaining permission before prospecting. You can never be too cautious in your search. With the lack of job opportunity in todays market and the increased price of gold once again, it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Hoser John]

The blm lr system is highly flawed and extremely not current so only use as a general outline. ALL claim recordings be it original location,annual labors,taxes paid,intent to hold all are there for you to see. Tax assessor for map that leads to page # in location books,then follow to page,look up the claim-take down all info-book#-page #-then lot# and you will then know everything from day 1 as to who,what when and where.Now to recorders office with that info-some have microfische but most now computer and then the final complete results are there. tons a au 2 u 2 -John

 

[Forrest Mc]

"Experience level detecting mandates who,what and where as without prior skills your in trouble. Have ya done coins,relics or anything before?" Hoser John

I have been an avid coin and relic and beach hunter for the past 4 years, beginning with a Compadre and then quickly to an AT Pro. An AT Gold arrived today that I will learn between now and July when I plan on going over to the Atlanta, ID area for some fishing and detecting. I've detecting with the Pro on a local stream without luck, but did pan out some flecks of color.

"Have you looked into join a local club? There are 2 clubs based in the Boise area that have claims in the Boise basin. The Nampa chapter of the GPAA and the Idaho Gold Prospectors Association. They both have claims in the Boise basin that produce and many members with a wealth of knowledge and a willingness to share." Girffy

I've read about GPAA having claims around the U.S. and would have to join in order to find out if they have claims up where I'm going. Living in SW WAshington makes joining and participating in the Boise Basin clubs impossible, especially to meet and greet folks for the sharing part. Is it common and/or acceptable for "non-residents" to join a club to take advantage of claims? After all is said and done, I most likely will join a club near home - Vancouver, WA. In fact, I just sent an inquiry to the Northwest Mineral Prospectors Club.

".... it is best to view the LR2000 Idaho Mining Report of active & non-active mining claims." IdahoGoldGettR

Last week, searching the internet on how to identify claims I ran into the LR2000 Idaho Mining Report. At first I thought I had found exactly what I was looking for, but man-o-man talk about intimidating!!! However, just now found a YouTube put up by JC Allen that promises to show me how to navigate around the Report. I will be watching that to see if it can clears the fog.

"...locate this stretch of river on the LR2000 Mining Report and see if it is listed as non-active." IdahoGoldgettR

Can I assume that I will be able to print a LR2000 of my area of interest to take along to check any unmarked spots while I'm there?

"The blm lr system is highly flawed and extremely not current so only use as a general outline. ALL claim recordings be it original location,annual labors,taxes paid,intent to hold all are there for you to see. Tax assessor for map that leads to page # in location books,then follow to page,look up the claim-take down all info-book#-page #-then lot# and you will then know everything from day 1 as to who,what when and where.Now to recorders office with that info-some have microfische but most now computer and then the final complete results are there. " Hoser John

EiiYiiiYiii! Back to intimidation! Small wonder folks poach nuggets, albeit unknowingly, on claims. This is merely a recreational trip of a few days after a 10 hour drive to get there. I can see the wisdom of club membership so to detect on their known claims, wherever they may be. However, I do need to search and know that section of the middle fork of the Boise for claims as that is where we will be. The fishing is great they say, so here is a thought...fish the section, look for signs posted, go back and detect unposted patches, if any, after checking the printed LR2000. Is that reasonable due diligence? If it were your unposted claim I was detecting?

 

[Hoser John]

Soory didn't mean to overwhelm but massive amounts of detectors being sold and holes everywhere-FILL YOUR HOLES WHEN DONE FORUM MEMBERS-left open this year already and more trash than all of last year together. All these gold shows have gotten the fever to a high pitch,till they try and fail. Only reason I wa asking experience level as almost all posts now from total new folks trying to cash in. You've paid your dues and learned whatzup so you know what your gettn' into and not sellers hype as reality based knowledge rocks. tons a au 2 u 2-John--PS-I let "good" folks on my claims quite a bit along with Make a Wishers,YMCA,Boy Scouts,Vets,cops,firemen,fundraisers etc etc as must pay my good fortunes forward and spread the fever.

 

[Forrest Mc]

Got to say, that LR2000 is going to take some learning and deciphering! It assumes way more knowledge going in than the average hobbyist/citizen has and I haven't uncouvered its secret code yet. Probably will need to pore over the BLM site to find a key. Ah ha! this looks promising - http://www.freemilling.com/2013/05/15/blm-lr2000/

Hoser John, hey amigo!