We joined a group of Georgia gold prospectors for a fun Saturday event, panning for gold in a stream on public property north of Atlanta managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Before and during the event, we received lots of friendly encouragement and support. The gold seekers included professional geologists, life-time residents, "legacy" gold hunters who grew up panning with family members, occasional hobbyists and lots of first-timers out for a new experience.
As we gathered in the parking lot of a county park, experienced gold seekers happily explained the process and nuances of gold panning to all of us newbies. They guided us through the best gear choices, how to identify the prime spots for panning, and a list of dangers that included venomous snakes, accidental falls, hypothermia or heat stroke -- depending on the Georgia day and time! -- and protective property owners with police on speed dial or worse!
This was very similar to the experience we had online with several North Georgia Facebook groups as we did some research in advance.
Joviality Ends Here
But all the camaraderie, joviality and helpfulness ended with certain inquiries. From those experiences of asking and listening to questions, we learned to NEVER ASK these questions of a Georgia Gold Prospector:
What's your favorite panning location?
Our gold hunting meet-up location was posted online, as was the creek name. But that's about all the information you'll get. Some gold prospectors are extremely secretive about specific locations and "turn off" with such questions. Some just smile, chuckle and then change the subject.
How much did you find?
In online groups, gold hunters often post photos of their findings, usually laid out in a gold pan. It's common practice to place a dime or quarter in the pan for the photo so the experienced hunters get a reference. But that's very different from giving our specific weights, which is one of two major factors that count at sale time. As an FYI, one experienced hunter suggested that a "haul" of one gram per panning day was a good day. BTW, the most common answer to "how much" was "Enough to buy a sandwich or two, but not enough to cover my gas."
What did you earn when you sold?
This is the most touchy, and most important to avoid. Most of these gold hunters are hobbyists, but some take it more seriously. They will tell you where they sold gold, and places to avoid. But don't expect a straight answer on the amount received, either per ounce or a total. With gold selling above $2,000 per ounce, there are some safety and some tax reasons involved. And there's an understandable "none-of-your-business" attitude, too. You've been warned!
More On Gold Panning and Outdoors
Check out these recent posts about gold panning and other outdoor topics in Northwest Georgia:
Tips from Georgia Gold Hunters
We Found Gold in A North Georgia Stream
Sunrise Hiking at Kennesaw Mountain
Are Sawnee Mountain's Indian Seat Real?
Lake Allatoona's Nesting Ospreys (video)
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