There is an interesting thread on Arizonagoldprospectors.com regarding ethics in the field on open ground. Here’s my response:
Obviously more and more of these scenarios will come to pass as the available ground and access to prospecting areas continue to shrink. Twenty five years ago there were few people metal detecting for gold,mostly coin and relic stuff. These days beepers travel far and wide just for a decent place to find a few little nuggets and companionship.A few handfulls of lucky beepers and prospectors must exist in say the lightly populated areas of northern California above Sacramento where the cpometetion is light and people don’t post of their diggings and perhaps confide their finds and stories to a couple of trusted friends. If one has worked a good spot by whatever your preference is, it’s likely you’ve been highgraded and have had equipment stolen, even plastic 5 gallon buckets. When a no nothing newbee rips you off, there is slight room for understanding. On the other hand if a fellow with 30 years in the field, who has half the gold of the Vatican already in his pouch comes a scratching at your spot where there are obvious signs of a recent dig and he knows your the only prospector who does hardrock, well eh matey he ain’t worth a spit of snoose in his eye. It is inevitable that violence will occur in the goldfields at somepoinover a few bits of yellow and fellows arguing principles. Such is the case of whose fire hydrant is it really,as we all lift a leg to mark our teritory. Not easy to be civil as they cut the back pocket right off the jeans your wearing while smiling in your face. Be kind to each other and lend a hand to the newbees as many of you have done. We all must decide what the value of gold really is!

Ah yes,the thrill of searching and finding that elusive yellow stuff. Many of us us on the various forums have found nuggets, quartz species, fine gold, all in varying sizes, configurations and value.This is the end product of the best find, the search itself, for one’s self and sense of accomplishment. Who among us posters and lurkers have not had a helping hand in this gold business, whether it be through a club, a forum, a friend or stranger…even the old odd book or two.New chums to the game should be encouraged and helped as this promotes and keeps alive the spirit of the west,the spirit of the quest, the ultimate American theme,”Persist and do not quit”.These newcomers are likened to young relatives who will pass on the family traditions and keep the prospecting game and know how alive.How many of us in this life when floudering were offfered an unasked for helping hand by a stranger and it pulled us through a hardship or brought us closer to job, a life, a happiness, perhaps undeserved but apperaring out of the blue to put us on the right track. Go west young man is perhaps not a physical direction, but a general encouragement to the old bible saying Seek and ye shall find. The path to the yellow has many great adventures along the way and letting a greenhorn ride your shirtails for awhile is an honorable and useful thing………. Dave Wiseman