Bugler

Excellent demonstration, Chet. How about submitting the article to the ICMJ as well. Bugler

Way to go Chris! Wishing you and yours a healthy New Year! Bugler

Lanny, Outstanding read along with outstanding gold. You certainly earn it. Your colorful tale telling makes for a good book if you ever get time. Much of your writing does remind all of us of the little facts that make a difference in finding gold or missing it. Do keep it up! Bugler

Way to go Bill. I sure miss that AZ Desert in the winter. We just had two inches of snow last night and 24F this morning. My nugget hunting area has got to be under at least 10' to 12' of snow right now. I love to look at what is being found down there. Bugler

Way to go Mike C! My detecting for gold is on hold until maybe June because my best hunting area is at least 10 feet under snow. I do get out and coin shoot around the lower elevations of Western Montana. Like you, I just enjoy the hunt! Good luck going forward. Bugler

So good to see that gold detectors are still very active out there and getting many nice results. I remember when I first started detecting for gold in the Arizona desert back in 1994, I went out everyday for six months and never found a speck of gold. The second winter down near Quartzsite and with a new Goldbug II I had spent the morning digging junk and came upon another "bang" for a signal and started to walk away in disgust. My promise to myself was to "dig every target" so I went back and started digging again. I was not optimistic. Well, out popped a 1 1/2 oz. specie. I jumped and hollered and carried on. I wasn't taking pictures in those days and sorry I didn't. Anyway, many ounces and many wonderful nuggets later I started taking pictures. By the way, Uncle Ron, I am still using my old standby SD 2100 that I bought back in 1995. I use many coils and on the same ground. Here are a few pictures of gold taken from the hills and valleys of Montana.

Many beautiful, beautiful gold finds on here. I will try to add just a few of mine found in Montana over the summers lately. The first one is of Mary holding baby Jesus. The second is of my goal fulfilled of filling a bathtub with gold nuggets (I had to get a miniature bathtub, however). It is full though. Lots of fun. Bugler

Thank you all who have shared these resources! I have spent years doing my own searching both on land and in numerous books and bulletins. I have found my share of gold in the West but have many more prospects to understand. This forum has kept my blood surging thru the long winters of Montana. Again, thank you for all the posts. Bugler

Very glad you made it through that experience, Shep. I have read many of your posts and appreciate your skill. Get back at it soon! Bugler

Say Ron, I just got in on this and wish you all the success in a speedy recovery. I've had the work done myself years ago when it was pretty primitive. They are light years better now. I met you years ago on Rich Hill and have purchased some of your maps. Get back to beeping soon. Bugler

I've got to tell you that this was a great conversation to have. I check this site at least every other day and have learned so much over the years. I seldom post on here or other sites but I sure don't want to see it go. I started metal detecting in 1994 and have found over 50oz. My largest is 6.45oz. and is shaped like a heart. I have named it "The Heart of the Big Sky". It was found in Montana in 2009 while I was developing my placer claim. Also in the same hole of about 10'x10' 387 nuggets were taken out. I used the SD2100 and the Gold Bug II. That one area of about 50'x30' produced 13.5oz. I do a great deal of research in old mining publications and have studied geology until I feel like I recognize likely gold bearing areas with shallower overburden. If you are not familiar with Public Land for the People or MMAC.org do take a look. They seem to be on the right track to getting our mining rights back. I'm on the uphill side of 70yrs old and am slowing a bit but the fire is still in the belly. Keep posting everyone and we will continue to learn from each other. Thanks for sharing over the many years, Bugler

Very nice gold Chris. I'm a bit out of the loop lately but would like to know what you are swinging these days (for a detector that is). It just didn't come out right. I bought your book several months ago and still refer to it constantly. Great writing. Find some more! Bugler

Very sorry for you and your partner's loss, Alan. You have always been a standup guy through the years in supporting many clubs and shows. Hope you get it back. Bugler

The last mining patent issued in the U.S. was issued in Montana back around 1995. During the process a Minerals Forester was asked to go out and assist in "proving up" the claim. A very astute attorney representing the claim holder was aware of where the process would take place and planted himself in a vantage point with a video camera. When the officials arrived in their agency pickup they were filmed taking buckets of barren gravel from the bed of their truck and running it thru their sluice. Of course the patent application was denied based on the Prudent Man standard. An appeal was filed and evidence was presented as to the agency's dishonest practice. A new and observed "proving" took place and the patent was awarded. The agency officials involved in the first illegitimate proving were only reassigned.

Montana Story: The owner of the claim was Clyde Smith and the claim is on Ophir Creek near Avon, Montana. The attorney involved was Mr. John Shontz. Clyde did not say that Mr. Shontz personally took the video but it was taken on his behalf. My information is that that was the last patent issued in the U.S.. The Clinton Administration placed a moratorium on new patents and Clyde's had been applied for just prior. Clyde Smith told me this story himself and showed me where the "samples" were proved up. Bugler

Hello Slim, I had a chance to detect in the Johnny area back in the late 90's and did quite well. There seemed to be nobody around at the time and nothing was claimed up where I was working. I did some detecting both west and east of the highway and found nuggets in both areas. I did my work in the washes and there were signs of very old drywashing. I was not aware of the Cassidy Pass at the time and have not been back to the area since. Good Luck! Bugler

For those of you who sell some of your gold, Do you sell your gold through a refinery or so you sell it to an individual? If you use a refinery, who do you do most of your business with? Bugler

Mtnman, Thanks for the very good explanation. I had sat down and figured out just about what you had said. Most of these nuggets are 92fine, but not with a lot of character; at least the ones from my claim. Many of the others are from AZ and certainly have more character, but not as pure. I would be interested in more information about your contact in Alaska. I will also look into Goldbay and EBay. I appreciate your help. Bugler Goldenone, I will check out Goldbay and I thank you for your information. Bugler

Mtnman and Garimpo, Thank you for your replies. I have looked into David H. Fell Co.. I am a bit confused with their payout. How have you felt about your return? I have been encouraged to go with the individual sale and will look into that some more. Some of these nuggets don't have a lot of character but they are 92fine and beautiful butter colored. You guys have me thinking anyway. Bugler