What ever is best for you .I do vacuum after digging a hole to get what is left in the bottom of the hole .Some times I bring it home and other times dry wash it on sight .I do still classify it down .You will get some rocks that are bigger than I wish to bring home .So it is up to the person as to what to do.

Thanks for the reply Joseph. I like the idea of cleaning up the hole with the vacuum. Good idea to leave the heavy rocks on the claim! No need to carry them home. Unless they are nuggets! Ha

I suppose it all depends on how much gear I want to haul out with me too. I like taking my ATV out. So space is a little limited. If I bring the vacuum and the dry washer, no room for buckets. However I won't need the buckets if I dry wash and concentrate my material. I haven't fell into a rhythm of what to take and what not to take yet. Each situation is different I'm finding.

The problem with leaving stuff home is, you'd wish you had brought it at some point
It also helps to know the territory/landscape/terrain conditions

Bill