Last Post 13 Oct 2022 10:01 PM by  Benjamin Belfiglio
Avoiding Claim Jumping
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Mel Conrardy
Greenhorn
Greenhorn
Posts:1



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08 Nov 2018 01:11 PM

    I have a question that seems to be very complicated, but I was hoping someone out there might be able to simplify it for me.  I have been doing TONS of research trying to figure out how to avoid claim jumping on BLM lands.  I feel like I've figured out about 95% of the process, but can't figure out the last little bit, or I am completely going about this the wrong way.  Here's what I've figured out so far:

    Step 1: I go to mylandmatters.com and locate a BLM area that looks interesting for prospecting.  Most of these areas already have existing claims in the area.  This website seems to be a very helpful and informative tool.

    Step 2:  The website shows colored sections that have either lode and/or placer claims on them, and you can click the "information" button to find out considerable information about each claim in a particular section - claim name, claim owner, claim size, etc.

    An example of where I am struggling is this:  Let's say for example I click on a section and it comes up with just one placer claim.  The overall section consists of I believe 640 acres, but the claim listed is just 20 acres of the total.  How is one supposed to find exactly where the claim is located without contacting the county for every claim that may be listed in the section - sometimes the section may have 20-30 claims?  This seems to be so incredibly time intensive, especially if one wants to go "prospecting" and try out several areas.  It just seems that you'd spend much more time researching actual claim boundaries than actually prospecting.

    Forgive me if these are stupid questions, but I am getting my first metal detector as a Christmas gift, and would like to be able to drive to an area where there is significant BLM land with existing claims scattered throughout, and be able to detect without being on someone else's claim.  Is that the only way to do this - by contacting or visiting the county BLM office to get claim boundaries for each and every claim?  I believe the counties charge considerable money for each piece of paper that they provide for you.

    Any help here would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks
    WALTER EASON
    Buzzard
    Buzzard
    Posts:581



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    09 Nov 2018 03:11 PM
    The LR2000 will in most cases narrow a claim down to the 1/4 section. Use the Geo Report and find all active claim serial numbers and names for the 1/4 section you are interested in. Call the BLM state office that keeps the filing for that area. Ask for the Original Location Notices with maps and any Amendments to those claims with the maps. Most offices will email it to you as a PDF. You will need to give them a credit card number and in my experience the charges have been very minimal let say 6 claim for less than fifteen dollars. You will still need to check on new claim papers out there as a claim location can be up to 90 days before filing with BLM or county.

    Some of the claims may be listed in more than on quadrant of the section, but if any of the claim is in the quadrant that you are interested in looking at it will have that quadrant listed. You can lay the maps out on a section map to see what is open, you will need to check out again any claim markers as the map is only meant to get a person close enough to find the markers meaning the monuments take presidents over the maps. I do not think GPS is addressed for claims in the 3809's or in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 as amended.

     
    James Pavli
    New Member
    New Member
    Posts:37



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    23 Jan 2019 12:05 PM
    I thought I would add my two cents into this thread. Even though I have not took the final step to the process of researching a specific area I would go to the county recorders office for that county with names and claim numbers. I have been told the recorders have the original claim maps and should point to actual location in the 1/4 section better. Just my two cents.
    ARTHUR WAUGH
    Advanced Member
    Advanced Member
    Posts:967



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    23 Jan 2019 05:48 PM
    Another thing to be aware of, not all states require claims to be marked with signs or monuments. Oregon requirements say that if a claim follows the legal subdivision of a section, ie. the SW 1/4 of W 1/4, section 14, no markers or signs are required. On my own claim, it happens to follow those requirements, therefore no need to go out and mark the corners. However it is signed at the ingress and at the campsite with how far upand down stream it goes, along with my location notice and point of discovery.
    James Pavli
    New Member
    New Member
    Posts:37



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    05 Feb 2019 06:55 PM
    I have been doing more and more research every time I go into a different area to prospect. I have caught myself in the wrong a few times due to being lazy, but no foul to anyone's claim. If i find anything worthwhile I would do further research to see if indeed it is or was someones claim. I don't prospect in areas that are crowed with a lot of active claims if any at all. Yes prospecting is a lot of research both paperwork wise and sampling in the field the gpaa claims cuts to the chase for you.
    Benjamin Belfiglio
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    New Member
    Posts:32



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    13 Oct 2022 10:01 PM
    A lot depends what state you are in and if you are looking at Federal or State claims/lands.

    For Alaska, I use a combination of Alaska Mapper, BLM SDMS Mapper and OnX maps. Still there can be new claims staked that aren’t updated, so have to look in the field. A lot of claims seem to be owned for speculation rather than actually worked or prospected.

    For casual prospecting can only do your best to do your research, respect posted signs and make an honest attempt not to claim jump. I would not press the issue in the field if someone claims to have staked an area you are looking around. I usually carry a printed map showing no claims displayed in the area just to show I made the effort to stay off active claims. If they own the claim they should be able to show you their boundaries on the map.
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