It’s your right to prospect, mine on public lands

Mining and prospecting are time honored activities and often a family adventure. Whether you are a grizzled veteran miner or a newbie, the last thing you would expect is problems from police. All too often, Gold Prospectors Association of America members are being told by U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management officers that they can’t engage in mining activities under pain of citation or arrest. How can this be when you’re not doing anything beyond what countless others have done before you? Well, the times are changing my friends. Today, government agencies are using various laws and regulations to greatly restrict or deny long standing federal mining rights originally stipulated by the still valid Mining Law of 1872.

Backcountry road closures slam gate on freedom

Imagine a world where no one hassled or forbade you from enjoying your statutory mining rights. The simple truth is that the fantasy is fading from the conscientiousness of Americans. Backcountry road closures, and the resultant confiscation of mining rights, are symptomatic of the relinquishment of personal freedoms caused by the invasive growth of government and its relentless march toward socialism.

Alaskan to trace footsteps of stampeders

Alaskan, the TV series, is returning to the Outdoor Channel, America’s leader in Outdoor TV, in January 2012. The 26-episode second season, titled Alaskan: A Modern Day Gold Rush, is a reality-TV documentary series that traces the footsteps of the men and women who once set out across the Yukon and Alaska to seek their fortune during the Gold Rush. Producer Greg Miller and Executive Producer Brandon Johnson are excited about what the new season will offer viewers.

Hit us with your best shot!

GPAA announces 2012 Calendar Photo Contest

If you’ve been bitten by the gold bug and the shutterbug, you’ve got double the fever. And, one of your photos may be just what we're seeking for the cover of the GPAA’s 2012 Calendar. The Gold Prospectors Association of America has announced a photo contest for all current GPAA and LDMA members for our 2012 calendar. GPAA Director of Operations Dominic Ricci said the photo contest is just another way to encourage interaction with our members.

Full-color Mining Guide slated for next year

At the first official GPAA Chapter Summit held the day before the Las Vegas Gold & Treasure Show in April, I got the opportunity to announce that we are currently redesigning the Claims Club Membership Mining Guide to make it better for our members. We will transition to a full-color publication. That means full color everything, including maps! No more trying to figure out if that line is a trail, a wash, a road or an elevation line. These new maps will be higher resolution, making them even easier on the eyes. These improvements will be the most significant series of upgrades the Mining Guide has ever seen.

DVD Club offers blast from the past

Gold Prospectors Association of America’s new DVD Club is more than taking a stroll down Memory Lane with founder George “Buzzard” Massie. It’s about rediscovering what the GPAA is all about and the spirit of the American prospector.

Director of Operation Dominic Ricci has proudly announced the re-release of these classic episodes are now available to subscribers to the all new GPAA DVD Club.

“The DVD Club is all about bringing back the TV episodes that we have from long ago because our members are constantly asking for them. George Massie started all this and people still want to see the “Buzzard.”

The Buzzard is Back!

The Gold Prospectors Association of America has recently unveiled the first and second of six TV commercials featuring GPAA founder George “Buzzard” Massie which are now airing on the Outdoor Channel. In them, the Buzzard shows his infinite wisdom as far back as the early 1980s about the erosion of our land rights. He makes some profound statements about “wacko environmentalists,” that ring eerily true to this day. Foremost a patriot, Massie shows his undying love for this country and the both the pride and humility of swinging a pick and shovel as a proven gold prospector.

LDMA reflects on last 35 years

The Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association celebrated its 35th Anniversary Dinner at South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 16. The ballroom was packed with LDMA members and guests rekindling friendships from the past and meeting new friends. Members were welcomed with country music performed by Rich Scalan and with a visual presentation of pictures from the past to the present of LDMA camps and members.

New chapter points system unveiled at summit

The first official GPAA Chapter Summit held in Las Vegas April 15 was an incredible day of sharing, teaching, supporting, guiding and, of course, talking about some exciting changes. And, there was trivia time to break up all the fun too! The main theme of the Chapter Summit was to help the local chapters (not just the new forming chapters) grow, and not feel alone. There was representation from 19 states including Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Utah, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. It was like a huge family reunion getting together to catch up on all that has been happening. The fact is, to our members that get involved in a local chapter, that is their family — there to help each other and have a good time. And, when you travel out of your area — the rest of the GPAA local chapters are your extended family. Contact a local chapter and invite yourself to what they have going on.

Event offers gold mine of activities

The 18th Annual Thermal City Miners Meet will be held Friday, May 27 to Monday, May 30 an the historical Thermal City Gold Mine, 5240 US 221 Hwy. North, Union Mills, NC 28167. The event includes a two-day Gold Dig, equipment demonstrations, panning, dredging, gem mining, vendors, food concession, music and more. For more information, call (828) 286-3016. or visit www.huntforgold.com