If you are looking to find conditions, closures due to fire danger, etc., all you need is the location (ie. road number, Tnshp, Rge, Sec., stream name), and the info you are interested in.  The person may or may not know the claim by name or number, as USFS does not hold the paperwork on claims, that is through BLM.

As to approach, just be yourself and introduce yourself and be pleasant with the person either on the phone or in person.  You can say you are a member of the orgainization, they may know of it or not, and you can assure them you know the code of conduct on mining/prospecting, hole filling, etc. That person may have the information you want, or will put you in touch with whoever will have it.  Don't expect to get the person when you call, they may be in a meeting or on vacation, out in the field, etc.  If you leave a message they will get back to you as soon as they can.  Most Ranger Districts will have either a minerals or recreation person, sometimes both.  The National Forest main office will have both.

Arhtur's advice is very warranted, I contact the BLM before I do most anything on something I am unfamiliar with. The people in the BLM are most often going to protect our interests, so please give them respect and they will return the favor. When my wife and myself moved to Colorado we found a huge green Crystal the size of a basketball but weighed over 40lbs, and in Uranium Mining country, but we couldn't determine what it was. We contacted the BLM to speak with the local Geologist and even though he was out in the field they gave us his cell phone number and two weeks later we met him at the field office and brought the stone for him to examine. At the same time I was reporting three deer carcasses left in the river to rot that had their antlers cut off.

A friendly phone call just to let them know where you are going to be and what you are doing withdrawals all suspicion of your activities in the region and lets them know you not only understand the law but also plan to be law abiding.

The BLM has to deal with some of the most degenerate f*cks that abuse the land, they are welcome to people willing to work with them.

Thank you for the information