I was recently doing some map research on potential prospecting locations in my state. A VERY promising location showed up inside a National Forest. So I started looking into National Forest prospecting regs. They vary massively from one state to another, but all are based in the same federal statute. Apparently, it is simply how some local fellow interprets the wording.

Which brings me to a term I have not heard or understand. What is "collecting gold by hand"? Now, obviously, I cannot use a front end loader or back hoe. That would be a mechanical collection. But my state seems to think it restricts prospecting to using a small trowel with a palm sized blade. As in a "tool used by one hand", and expects me to ??? I dont know if I am limited to scraping the top of a sandbar or what. No indication if crevice picks are allowed, or use of hand dredges. But power dredges, highbankers, and river sluices are dead out.

And, of course, the ladies at the forestry service could only read to me the regulation about digging archeological, paleotological, or historic areas. Which has nothing to do with digging gold in a creek bed. They also seem to believe that running a river sluice or shaker box "leaves a bigger hole" than panning does. Apparently, they dont understand reclamation.

So, what is "collection by hand"?