nugget hunting instruction?

[jlw]

I have been interested in nugget hunting and my question is it best to go with a guide the first time or can I pickup good information reading books, watching dvds etc?

 

[goldbrick]

Jlw,
A lot of people learn simply by studying at home and then poking around but it's a lot of work. You need to thoroughly learn your detector,study gold deposition, and finally learn how to research open(not claimed and not private) ground which seems to be quite daunting for many newbies. All of this you need to learn eventually to be successful. It's easier now to research than in the early days of MDing due to the internet but still takes many, many hours. That said if you are cash rich and time poor lessons are really the way to go. Right off you get one free pass to an open gold bearing area.(usually pounded but it's never all gone). Your instructor works hard to put you on gold and teaches you tips you may not find in the owners manual and usually explains where to look for gold. If you don't have money for lessons join a local club.
L8tr,
Merton