Prospecting

Prospecting

I went gold prospecting today. No luck with finding a good mine today. It is always a good day if its spent in the woods though. Here are some of the views: If you click for a larger view, the pic are more impressive.

Ramblings of a drunk cowboy

You may have noticed I have added some links to the Blog for your convenience. Here are some thoughts I have on two of them:


Gunbroker.com


First is Gunbroker.com. I like Gunbroker.com. I have purchased several guns through there connections. I also use there site regularly to get a feel for price and availability on virtually any gun. At least every time I've looked up a gun, I found a reference to it. They even have antique firearms and firearm accessories. Basically, it is an auction. You have to register to bid and then after bidding, if you are awarded the bid, meaning,you are the high bidder, then you contact the seller and make payment and shipment arrangements. Generally, first thing is to pay the seller. If it is a firearm, they have to ship it to federally licensed firearm's dealer. Note that you will have to pass a NCIC (National Crime Information Center)background check, when picking up the firearm at your local dealer. Anything other than firearms can be shipped directly to your door. It is a handy service because it gives a nationwide marketplace to anyone that chooses to shop for a gun in their underwear, from home. Besides, they look at you funny in Sporting Goods store, if your only wearing your underwear.

But with everything there is a draw back, and Gunbroker is no exception. The thing you want to keep in mind here, despite the name of Gunbroker, is they are not a "broker". Far from one; Gunbroker is basically a classified listing service for auctions online. Therefore, you need to use the same discretion and caution that you would normally use when contacting someone from a classified listing online, or in a paper. Gunbroker is not going to assume liability, if you are defrauded. Do not assume merely because a dealer has a listing that they are in anyway guaranteed reliable or honest. Most, will do what they say. The only suggestion I have here; is to do some research before bidding. For example, you can look up information online about a dealer. You can also look them up in the Yellowpages online to see if they actually exist. and there not just a scammer in a foreign country, or living in their parent's basement posing as a dealer. The most effective first clue I use is the rating system on Gunbroker. Also, check the number of sales they have had on Gunbroker, as well as how long they have been selling from there.

So, there you go that is what I know about Gunbroker.com and if I am wrong, I will never admit it.



Gold and Silver

The other link I wanted to discuss is Kitco.com. There link is accessed by clicking on either the gold or silver real time price indexes, on the top, right sidebar. I haven't bought or sold PMs with this company. So, if anyone out there has any experience with them, please share it. Personally, I would be able to give them a try because they are in bed with ICMJ which is a mining journal that I rely on, for certain business. Their on the ball and on the money.So, I figure birds of a feather flock together.

The one thing that I could suggest with buying gold or silver and any PMs anywhere is to make sure you get possession of the metal. Some offer a free storage, they will store your metal then you can trade and avoid the shipping costs. But to me, I cannot see how that would make the risk worth while. Obviously, if a collapse occurs, you will want to have the metal in your hand for barter. Your junk silver dollar could buy you a canned ham or enough fuel to cart your ass to a safer place. Besides, a lot of these places will have offers for free shipping, so there is really no excuse. Keep your PMs where they belong, in your hands. Don't be a sucker. If God had meant for you to get bent, you'd been born with knee pads.


OIL
Please note the oil price real time chart. It's just below the gold and silver chart. To compare the changes of each is interesting. I dont know that I will go out on a limb today, but gold is very likely to start a steady climb up. When this happens their will be no return. The recent rise and flutter then the oil fluctuation coupled with a drop in the dollar, suggests we may be approaching the stair case for gold. When the golden ship sales it will not return for a long-long time. I just hope were all on board for the ride!

And another thing; If your sitting on a large stash of cash, your a dumb ass! By metal and sit on that, The dollar is doomed! If it survives and that's a big IF, it wont be worth squat! On the flip side, with gold the only way you can loose money is if the dollar goes UP, Get real, the dollar is going somewhere but it sure as hell aint up! Dump your cash!




On a survival note, I saw an article at Lamb's blog;waiting on the other shoe, about Lemon juice, I had no Idea it had so many uses, from degrease to air freshener, and so much in between.

THE GOLDEN RETREAT revisited

With gold hitting over 1200.00 an ounce last week, it seemed like a good time to mention a gold mine, retreat again. Even if you have never mined for gold don't worry, its not hard to learn. To mine you only need to work as hard as you want to. For that matter the whole family can pan, or sluice for gold.

Its easy to find a gold mine almost all BLM, Forest Service land is open to "mineral entry". The paperwork to stake a claim is not very hard to complete, and filing fees are 170 bucks. You don't need to "claim" an area to mine it. If its not already claimed and its public land like BLM, FS its ok to mine and or explore for gold. Some exceptions are, improved parks, and park service land.

If you don't want to stake your own claim and you don't want to drift from exploration site to site. You can buy a claim. They can range from usually 100 to 1,500 dollars. Of course you could find prices much higher but you can get a good claim for these prices. Another advantage to purchasing a claim is its an easy way to get you feet wet. If the seller gets you set up with the paperwork,they may also be able to give you a heads up in dealing with there area Law Enforcement Ranger. If they have had any trouble with them or not, some times Rangers are ok, other times they seem to hustle miners. Make it a point to know the mining law then you know when to stand your ground.Of course if the collapse is bad enough to move to your retreat, law enforcement should have better things to do. If they're around at all. The mining retreat, I think, is ideal in a huge depression type scenario. For that matter, if a person is out of work these days, you may have better luck retreating, and mining now.

All you need to get started is a,gold pan, shovel and map. I know you have all the camping gear and survivalist equipment already.

One more thought on maps, for the money I prefer a Delorme backwoods atlas, they're only15 bucks and  cover the whole state. Find them at bookstores, and some Wall Mart stores.

As far as finding gold, to paint with a broad brush, if you live near the Rockies, its good mining. Even better for mining is west of the Rockies. There is a lot of gold out there, you just have to dig for it.

Happy  Trails

THE GOLDEN RETREAT

Here is an idea Ive had bumping around in my head. A retreat with trees, abundant game,privacy,and lots of water. That's fine you say,but its not affordable. Here's the kicker;Its free and at most costs 175.00 to register. No wait it gets even better you get paid in gold to be there. Just think when the world is in mass poverty people sleeping in the streets and standing in line at the soup kitchen. Your in the woods, mining for GOLD!


This is a highbank in action. Can you see my feet on the right.

This is a small back pack dredge. this hole is ten feet deep and has a tunnel under water heading west (right).
States require permits for a dredge and or a highbank sluice. Note: California has outlawed dredging for now,so watch that.

Most states allow gold panning but its slow and more work than some other methods. This small dredge can process one cubic yard per hour its not hard to find locations that contain 1/16 oz of gold per yard. The engine uses less than one gallon of fuel per day.(8hours).

 You will need a strong back for the bolders. I use a hand com along. Use some caution here, some states will not allow you to remove bolders and trees from waterways.                                                                       

Federal law gives a citizens the right to mine on public land. Living there is a tough one. Here is the deal you are allowed to live on a mining clam you are actively mining. BLM and the Forests Service will hassle you.

They will usually say you are camping.You are not camping you are mining. If you plan to challenge these agencies get involved with a mining association they will help with your legal rights.

The law with camping is, on BLM land you are allowed only 14 days per year. On Forest Service land you are allowed 30 days per location.

To avoid problems with the man. It would work to have several mines on Forest Service land and move between them often. Or camp at different locations near the same mine.

I will get into more details with making this happen, but for now its food for thought.