Far out, awesome responses, I like it when we're all on the same path forward. My cable doesn't have the Outdoor channel, I think the Discovery Channel needs to add Gold Fever & Gold Trails to their #1 rated show Gold Rush. Bering Sea Gold is all drama and fighting, kind of a turn-off. Gold Fever & Gold Trails are far more entertaining. Tom's a natural comedian & Gold Trails is way better than Alaskan Bush People. If more people watched Gold panners on TV, we might get some support for the 1872 mining act.

     This is very interesting to see this much activity on a forum topic.  Just goes to show you that you can't please all of the people all of the time.

     When you read what it says under " Ask Kevin Hoagland " you will notice that it states " and he'll get back to you as best he can, as soon as he can! "  There is no mention of a rapid response.  Also if you read Kevin's first topic, " Hello Prospectors and Miners " you will find the following, " I can't say that I will respond immediately because of my schedule and the fact that there are a lot of places I travel that simply do not have connectivity.  But know that I will respond as quickly as possible. "  Kevin also encourages other members to respond to questions posted here, which I have done from time to time when on here and can give an answer. 

     As for membership, the membership has quadrupled in the last 3 years ( no Kodak here ) so something must be going on that is working well.  I wish that I had the resources and information that you new members have available to you back when I started prospecting 40 plus years ago.  There was no GPS we used maps, the metal detectors were BFOs, books not the internet was how we researched everything to find places to hunt, we had metal gold pans not plastic, and about the only gripe we had was bad weather.

     Enjoy your membership and remember this, what you put into it is what you will get out of it.  In other words don't expect others to just hand it to you, you still need to earn it, pay your dues, and above all PATIENCE is KEY when it comes to prospecting and metal detecting.          Ron

  Sorry if I sound harsh, a lot of what I said are from the headlines in the Pick & Shovel Gazette, but the Sept 2016 issue is a great issue. It shows old timers showing kids how to pan for Gold & and an opening of a Gold camp, awesome. I just wish all members of the GPAA & LDMA were collectively making a difference in the plan to save the 1872 mining act.

   Here in So. Cal., a while back, the Southwestern miners stood up to the road closers to Gold claims, they got our Ch. 9 'Turko'  guy involved to put it on the news. The roads were re-opened when the USFS was put on the hot seat. It was a small victory. The FS Ranger said "The 1872 Mining act allows access to Gold claims with Mules, it doesn't say anything about vehicles..."

  Way to go Chuck N. (RIP) & the Southwestern Miners, a small victory, I'd like to win a few more for our side.

  Well Will, I have offered many solutions. You just didn't read them. I always help out. And I hope everyone continues to notice that I've never said anything bad about any member. I grew up on construction sites with people far far meaner than you. So nice try, if you're trying to rattle me...The romper room comments just make me laugh.

     And for the 12th time, this isn't about me...It's about all of us getting something done, while the GPAA sits back, says nothing, does nothing, and since the GPAA leadership rarely says anything, their silence is deafening.

   We've all watched for years as the Gold Prospectors lose court cases, lose claims to environmental regulations, lose rivers to the fish populations, lose Gold areas labeled as new 'Monuments'...And the GPAA leadership never said much, never stopped any of it, and they only respond to people who are trying to send them money.

     It's time for the GPAA leadership to start taking action, start winning court cases, and start communicating will the fellow miners & prospectors. And I'm NOT talking about me. Since Brandon rarely says anything, I have lost all faith in the leadership. We do more to organize than they do.

   So being in construction your entire life, you know that the insults hurled at me are patty cakes compared to what happens in the construction world. I've seen guys fight with each other, then they make up & drink with each other at the end of the day. and the next day it happens all over again.

You obvisually don't know what happens behind the scenes.   Not all is going to be put up on open forums, why tell the oposition waht we are working on, and give them ammunition or get them thinking of how to get around things?  How about making an appointment with the office and having a sit down and actually find out what they do?  Maybe then you would have a better understanding of what is happening/going on, rather than just sit here and constantly hammer the leadership for their supposed inactivity.

I know that I can't be the only one who is dam***tired of the constant bit***** and whining about lack of happenings, when you know nothing of what is being done.  Here is an idea-----go to the office and VOLUNTEER to work with them and actually get in the trenches with them.  I'm sure they would find something constructive for you to do, rather than this.

Yeah, I know that.  Been fighting the b-crats since 1976 and the USFS's RARE II.  Been there done that and wore out.

Since my experation date expired 6 years ago, I really don't care anymore whose feathers I ruffle. Doesn't make an anthill in he** to me.   If it gets me tossed out on my a**, so be it.  Just more money and time I can have to do what I do.

   Ya, I've still never said anything bad about any member here...And that makes me..." belligerent and negative with an ego"...Got it. Ok.

    One thing about running a company, you have to do and say something occasionally. Right?

  The only communication I get from the GPAA is 'send us money'

    This week I sent a 2014 mining guide to a real American hero...What did Ronald do to help out this week?