LukeJ 2,160 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Hello everyone! This is the first gold prospecting forum I have joined and this will be my firstpost. Entitled: Download and decompress....My name is Luke. I live in Phoenix, and a 39 year 'native' of Arizona. I've spent countless hoursreading the posts here and anywhere else where people with valuable experience so generously sharetheir hard won wisdom. Thank you for that.A few years back I bought a Goldmaster V/sat on Craigslist for $325 and it came with a sluice andold version of the Fox gold spiral. Pretty good deal... I went up to the Cow Creek area a fewtimes. Found garbage and a few rattlesnakes. I discovered that I needed to learn to use mydetector better. Ground balancing, at that time, was still a mystery.Soon after aquiring the detector, my son was born. No time for a hobby. Daddy duty. Now I have a4.5 year old son and a 2 year old daughter. Been busy these last few years. Just recently I havebeen able to get some personal time, and metal detecting for gold is how I would like to spend thattime. So, this last September I joined the GPAA. I also bought a used GMT last fall. I also have aShooter coil and actually prefer the V/sat-Shooter combo over the GMT. I seem to find more withthat detector combo and spend less time chasing ghosts.I've been to several of the local GPAA claims. The Nugget Flow claims at the junction of SanDomingo wash and San Domingo peak, is the area I go most often. I understand that this is a tougharea and some may say there's no gold left. I believe that there is still gold there, it's justreally difficult to get. The only gold I've found was with my Dewalt vac, crevicing the wash thatflows south on the eastern side of San Domingo peak. (see attached pic) I'm pretty happy withthese little bits. However, what I would really like to do, is learn how to find gold with mydetector.I have read 'Zip Zip' and 'Finding Gold Nuggets II' at least a dozen times. Amongst other wellknow publications. It all seems to make perfect sense sitting on my couch reading about Larry andJimmy's adventures. I have tried to put into practice as many tips and tricks as possible. Iunderstand ground balancing now. I am starting to waste less time on Hot rocks and Iron stones. Ihave been out prospecting one day a week for the last 5 months, minus a couple weekends. With thisincreased knowledge and experience I am building an impressive collection of bird shot and brasstacks. Not to mention all the rusted bits of iron out there. I still cherish these finds becauseI believe they are steps on the path to success. I believe I'm "paying my dues", so to speak. Still no nugget. I know that frustration is something everyone experiences. I am realistic anddon't expect riches. If I could find a BB sized piece of gold every other time I go out, I wouldfeel very successful and have something to show for the effort. It would be nice to quiet thenaysayers as well.BY NO MEANS, would I expect anyone to take my hand and point me to their nugget patch. Somewherebetween what I've read in books and watched in videos, and experienced myself, something ismissing. I find it difficult to look at a landscape and chose a particular spot to hunt. Thelonger I spend looking the more I can make a case for why gold should be there. Anywhere. "Goldis where you find it", right? Then it's sometimes found in places it shouldn't be too. Is it thered dirt, the brown dirt, or the base of the basalt flows? In the washes, gulches, gullies, orridges? A combination of all these things? I keep thinking and saying that once I find that firstnugget I will have something to build upon. When will that day come?!?!?!!!!!Sorry for blowing up the forum with this long post. I figured I would introduce myself and givesome insight as to who I am and where I'm coming from. I thought it would be best to put it allout there at one time.I will perservere and continue the search for the elusive first nugget. I feel a bit honored toaddress a group of experienced Detectorists, who have, learned these lessons the hard way and inthe exact same areas I have described. Thank you to anyone who took the time to read through allthis. I would like to stop by and say hello at the LSD event being planned. Just don't want to bethe stranger at the 'family reunion'. Thanks again. Any response is welcome.Luke J. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nugget108 1,781 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Luke, first off welcome aboard. There are ALOT of great folks on here that have top notch knowledge of metal detecting. Other than a lucky few, it seems to take FOREVER to find that first nugg with a detector. Took me just over 2 years with the gb2. And that was detecting almost every weekend during the spring, summer and fall. Have you picked up any lead shot while detecting? Do you have a test nugget? If not, the biggest nugget in your pic should be sufficient enough to see how it sounds on your machine. I know it's not really what you want to hear but it really takes time, practice and the willingness to not quit. Seems like right when I was about to throw my detector in the trash I banged my first nv nugget. Patience and boots on the ground in known gold areas is the best place to start. Like i said, there are some GREAT folks here so stick around. Good luck and welcome. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
adam 3,137 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 A GMT would have found that larger nugget on the dime. Don't be discouraged as gold is the hardest element for a detector to see. You should consider dropping by the outing in March, around evening time when most are back in camp. It may be deserted during the day....If you are finding nice color in your wash , try removing the overburden and only detecting the bedrock. Your chances will increase significantly. And, no , you do not need to spend 6K to find gold with a detector 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
azblackbird 203 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Hey, I'm right there with you on the skunk. If it wasn't for me having such a blast riding my Rokon and exploring new places looking for those elusive nuggets, I'd have probably given up already. You'll find your gold eventually, I know I will, so I don't let it bother me. Main thing is to have fun doing it! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boulder dash 1,244 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Use the 2 P's persistence and perseverance.. Time and effort. See you at the outing. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LukeJ 2,160 Posted February 10, 2015 Author Share Posted February 10, 2015 Thank you guys for the greetings. Nugget108, attached is a picture of what I've found the last two times out. I throw away all the iron, nails and such when I get home and hold onto the lead, brass, etc. I'm not going to give up. It actually felt pretty good just to compose that post and publish it here. Adam, my friend and I have discussed taking the time to move an area of overburden in the wash and we probably will at some point. If I'm not mistaken, you and boulder dash have some videos on YouTube...? I'm a big fan. Azblackbird, gold or not, I still enjoy getting out for the experience of nature. I'm always fatigued and a little frustrated when it's time to go home, then I'm ready to go again by the time I pull into the driveway. It's fun no matter what.I will plan on dropping by the outing with a bucket of chicken or something. Any preferences on beer? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Old Tom 1,122 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 LukeJ, Saturday night at the fire ring is a blast and you can pick the brains of anyone you like. We will all be glad to help you out with advise and beer. The chicken and beer sounds good and if you can plan to stay overnight that would be great. Old Tom 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nugget108 1,781 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 If you are finding that stuff, you will bang a nugget. Just have to cross paths.Dan 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nugget Shooter 4,621 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Great post and I agree with the others that you are on the right track and it is simply a matter of time. This is not an easy past time and join us at the outing! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rimshot 181 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Luke keep in mind many of these guys have already found the easy nuggets. Now with that said, today will be easier than tomorrow to find a nugget. As time goes on, the pickins will get slimmer and slimmer and slimmer until it's all gone or a source decides to give up some new nugget's. GL Luke, you are on the right path. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Furness 1,522 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 What others have said ... with all the trash targets you have found it is just a matter of getting the coil over the gold ... I know it sounds overly simple ... "just put the coil over the gold" ... but it will happen and then it will happen again and again. We all started where you are right now! Keep at it!Be sure to look me up at the outing and I will try to help you out with that GMT and even the V/SAT which btw in it's day was the top of the heap for VLF's in my way of looking at it.Mike F 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LipCa 357 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 I look at the stuff you found and say that it SHOULD HAVE already been retrieved if the area has been detected hard. Experienced hunters do not leave that in the ground. Lots of room for a nugget there..... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
homefire 2,581 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Found my first gold with a BFO detector that took me months to con my mom to pay $50.00 for. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DIAMONDBACKDAVE 12 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Lol. No offense u sound exactly like me. I.m going with perseverance and persistence 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LukeJ 2,160 Posted February 10, 2015 Author Share Posted February 10, 2015 You guys are awesome! Looking forward to putting some names to faces. It feels pretty good to read your replies and know that I've thought the same things. Every time I go out there is so much excitement and anticipation. Then three hours in, I start to wonder if someone ran their coil over the same places I am searching. Either last month or three years ago. When I start finding the small lead I think that any "pro" would have picked that stuff up. So there still could be a nugget in that area. I know it's just a matter of time. I will go back to some of those spots and search a little more carefully.I assume there will be a couple beers consumed at the outing. I like craft beers, but will drink Keystone if that's the preference. Tell me what is normally present at the campfire and I'll bring a few too. Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DIAMONDBACKDAVE 12 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Even the Best Detectorist find lead still check out the picture. Mr. Rob Allison found those Nuggets and Lead Bullets 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
frank c 969 Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 And also don't forget that Signature saying,....especially with your VLF ............Follow the drywashers !!!!!!Good Luck an Hapy Huntn 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boulder dash 1,244 Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Keith stone!!! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nugget108 1,781 Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Went out today and found 28 .22 bullets. All were REALLY OLD so I know there hasn't been anybody in there.I was just waiting for one of them to be a nice yellow rock because they all sounded so good. Just over the little draw the old timers ground sluiced and just up from there someone did a half acre dozer push and found 38 ounces of specimens in the late 90's. So I was getting excited. 28 bullets later, mud and a pocket full of trash I was beat Up. You get the ol skunk more than the yellow stuff haha. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alwaysdirty 921 Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I know the feeling all to well Luke!Just keep it up. Took me three years to get one, then another 10 months to find more completely on my own.Your doing yourself a favor by becoming active on here, be patient, post your adventures, and ask questions. Just with this one post you have received two of the best tips out there! Most of those pieces in your pic that you vac'ed out of crevices could have been found with a GB2...especially if the coil was scraping bedrock 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FlakMagnet 412 Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Hi Luke,You are doing everything right and best of all you have a sense of humor.I will bet that your first nugget is very close to being found.I will also bet that I know what your first thought will be:"finally"Try to go to the outing, there will be lots of great words of advisefrom people who know exactly what you are going through right now.Best of luck 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jim mcculloch 32 Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 The first nugget is ALWAYS the hardest. As Flak says, you seem to be doing everything right. MY first nugget was found back in 1981. The first words out of my mouth were "Well, it's ABOUT TIME!" Hang in their, eventually success WILL be yours. HH Jim 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LukeJ 2,160 Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 I have to say I'm a bit overwhelmed. I did not expect the number of replies and all the kind words of encouragement. If I had a regret, it would probably be that I didn't speak up earlier. Things happen for a reason I guess..... Thank you all.Boulder dash..... Keith Stone!! That guy rocks!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TomH 2,882 Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 RuH Ro...looks like Sat. night might be kind of funny. Guess I better clear all the rocks away from the fire pit and fill the holes some people seemto fall into Tom 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nugget108 1,781 Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Told ya. Some great folks on here. I have learned a lot from them over the years. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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