"Sharks Tooth"

"Sharks Tooth"
Found in Vermont

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Prospecting for gold in NE. Fun for everyone.

I have prospected for Gold, all over the Great State's of New Hampshire & Vermont.  There is some gold in most of the streams in each state.  I have found gold in Andover NH, all the way up to Pittsburg NH.  There are many books and information, written on such locations.  Love Google.  Use it.  However don't let that stop you from prospecting the brook in your back yard.  At the very least, I will bet you find some pretty Garnets.  They are not worth much, (most is used for sand paper), but they are heavy and will stay in the bottom of your pan.
  I have been successful finding gold in streams that no one else has worked for years.  It's a great time of serenity.  Hiking, a day in the woods, listening to a babbling brook and nature all around.  Some have not been worth the hike.  Only a few small flakes.  However, it is possible to find a mother load.  In NH, I would consider that one eighth of an ounce or more.  I know of one brook that has put more than a few pounds of gold into a major river in NH.  The reason I know that is the downstream side of the river is loaded with flower gold.  The upstream area of the river has near nothing.
  This is how you locate a glory hole.  Test spots, until you find chunkier gold.  When it starts to thin out, you know you have passed the source.  Could have just been in the mountain, crushed by the glaciers and deposited into the stream.  The source is near the heavy gold.  In mot cases, you won't find the chunky gold until you are nearing bedrock or clay.
The best and easiest access for gold in NH is by far The Wild Ammonoosuc River.  You can find gold from the start, in the White Mountain National Forest, all the way down to the Ammonoosuc River.
  You don't need to get permission to pan in the White Mountains but there is no dredging.  sluices must be 36" or less.  You are not allowed to use pry-bars or shovels.  Only hand tools for crevicing.  Private land is just that.  Posted or not.  You should always obtain permission to prospect.  Though the waters are managed by the state, the land and ALL the minerals and dirt belongs to the land owner.  (It is a privilege to prospect on someones private property).

  It is illegal to dredge in NH without a permit and written permission of the land owner.  Doing so without, could result in your tools being confiscated by the local police or forest ranger.
  Dredges shall be no more than 5hp motor and no larger than a 4" intake.

Do not undercut the riverbanks.  This leads to bank cave ins,  erosion, and worst of all will lead to the loss of a great hobby.  Think I jest.  Just ask all the prospectors in California.  They are no longer allowed to dredge for gold.  Not until further studies on the impact of dredging to the environment are completed.  That could take years.
  Don't be greedy.  Respect those whom allow you to pan on there property.  There is plenty of gold to be found.  No one is going to get rich but is a great hobby.  For families & friends.  Onces you find your first nugget, you will be hooked.

See you on the river,

Jim

15 comments:

  1. Great post! You nailed it on why we are so crazy about prospecting. Not to get rich, but to enjoy the beauty of NH and meeting so many great people. See you up at the river this season!

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  2. i love the outdoors. disabled vet wanting to experience what you are describing. ii need a buddy to go with though. can you recommend where to find a club, or partner. are there guides you can rent? look forward to next posts.

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    1. Thanks for your comment Eddie. I wrote this blog a long time ago. Last Summer I offered a gold prospecting guide service. With great success, all of my clients found nice gold to take home. Please join me on facebook & you tube. Search Yankee Gold Prospecting New England for either. On facebook I post information for prospectors that I have in groups. One group is for anyone. The other is for North East people only. As the information I post in that group pertains to finding gold in NE. Let me know where you live & I will hook you up with a guide or group that will help you find gold. Or I may be able to assist you in finding gold on your own. Best Wishes in 2012. Jim

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  3. Hi Jim. I went to Woodstock,and then near five corners. I had a terrific time. I struck out, but at least i was outside. looking forward to gooing with you. take care, and hope you hit the big one!

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  4. It is hard to find good gold so early in the year. Gravel bars are frozen for the most part. If the creeks have open water it is usually in fast moving water. Which means nothing for gold accept a little flour gold. You can find some gold if there are gravels built up behind big rocks in the middle of the stream. As long as you can break through the frost. But the good gold is normally quite deep in the middle of the creek. We will get out there soon & I will show you where the good paydirt is.

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  5. thank you very much. i am anxiously awaiting your call.

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  6. Hello Jim. just wanted to drop you a line. i have been doing research for my next endeavor. jamaica looks pretty good. i was on the river for one pan. i had to leave right away for home. i did have a lot of black sand, so i am going back. i was in the right area, but my time was cut short. i'll keep in touch and let you know what i see or get. let me know when you want to go out. i'll bring my generator and electric heater....lol.

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  7. Sounds Good, I am hoping the weather is going to be nice a predicted during the middle of this week. I am itching to get out there for a couple of days. But it is ruff on an all day trip if it is cloudy, windy & mid 30's. But soon enough we will be on the gold. I'll call you soon.

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  8. Hi im in ny and have panned a little bit out of the finger lakes region, the black river and the creek in my own back yard, having the best success in the black river nabbing a few pickers. Im looking to head to Vermont or new Hampshire this spring and was wondering if you were available for an outing.

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  9. Hey Scott. E-mail me your full name & tellephone # & I will be in touch. yankeegoldprospecting@yahoo.com

    Thanks,

    Jim

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  10. I just dropped in to Streeters today. Saw George and Martin. Planning on going to the White Mountain National Forest. Maybe stopping places along the Kanc and checking the Swift with my home-made hand dredge. Couldn't find my pan that I've had for years so picked up the deluxe set George has for sale. Looking forward to getting outdoors. Thanks for all the vids Jim.
    JJ aka Jim

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  11. I've found a little gold along302 looking forward to going again im from epsom n.h. none here going to Concord n.c. cant wait

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  12. I've found a little gold along302 looking forward to going again im from epsom n.h. none here going to Concord n.c. cant wait

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  13. Planning a day or two of panning in LaMoille and Chittenden counties this summer. Any suggestions? Really miss your stuff. Hope you can edit a few more some day!

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