Ice Cold Gold Options

[Caveman]

You can prospect w/o a permit (or NOI) on any and all federal public land open to mineral entry (that has not already been claimed or placed in special status - for example, an ACEC) in Colorado. This is direct from the BLM office in Canon. Even most battery powered (and some gasoline powered) equipment falls into the "casual use" category - this even in some "ACEC's" (but not on the Arkansas River - I guess because of it's popularity in the other "recreational use" communities). Almost all rockhounds I know dig, and do more than just a little bit of "surface scratching" And what the hell does someone's former profession have to do with it? Former bikini clad model or former beauty pageant contestant? Also, most - and I mean MOST - prospectors I know or have met carry weapons, firearms and otherwise. I seem to be the only one who does not, but only because I frequent "public areas" and am technically a "recreational use" guy (for the time being). Rest assured, when I do go out and actually prospect in a less "public" area, I will carry as I am lawfully and Constitutionally allowed. "Rambo" can carry that AK-47, or any other weapon he chooses as he is allowed to do the same. Claim jumpers have no respect for the law and do carry weapons themselves, and do threaten and abuse (bully) others when they think they can get away with it.

In most of what I saw on Prospectors, no "permits" or NOI's were needed. Some needed a POO, but most are doing little more than "surface scratching", and in a scree zone, anything you do is going to be covered up by Nature. Interesting how the Dorris's are labeled as the only "Legal" prospectors on the show - because they are actually using mechanized equipment and are disturbing more than 1,600 square feet in one dig, and have filed the appropriate paperwork and paid the appropriate bonds to do just that. By the way, that lightning strike on Amanda's claim disturbed a hell of a lot more than 1600 square feet - but that's just Nature at work, doing some "mining" Herself! - No permit needed. Nor is any permit needed to pick up the "float" that resulted from it (Only a sanity check for actually doing it! )

The "explosives" that were used in one and only one episode barely classify as such - they only expand under intense pressure, hence the CO2 cartridge "trigger" mechanism. And, if you don't get it right, they will not expand - as perfectly demonstrated in that episode. Dangerous only in the immediate use of, not in storage or transport. Dynamite was never used that I saw in any of the first 9 episodes I watched - only mentioned once in passing - "The oldtimers would have used black powder or dynamite - " or something similar. Obviously, the article writer never actually watched (or paid attention to) the show, and showed her bias - as I am BLATENTLY doing here!

Thanks for reading!