Thomas,

I retired from the Navy in October 2014 but work full time (to pay the bills) as well. I wanted a hobby and after some consideration and meeting a few LDMA members, I decided to join last year. Let me tell you that I am very pleased with it so far. With that we only have a few LDMA and GPAA claims on the east coast but it is well worth it, not for the gold but for the fellowship ( the gold is just a bonus). I have met Kevin Hoagland twice, once at Vein Mtn when him and team endeavor were cleaning it up and again at the Gold show in NC this past fall. Both times he went out of his way to say hello and give me a few pointers and good conversation, so to say the Leadership(management) is not engaged is far from the truth. I also got to meet Brandon at the gold show as well. I have emailed Dominic and spoken to a few from customer service. again all are welcoming and helpful, not to mention just plain ol nice. Also as far as them poorly managing the GPAA/LDMA again not true. We don't see in person what they are doing behind the scenes to get us more claims/properties to enjoy, however I know for a fact that they are out there "day in' and "day out' getting things done not only by finding new places, they are visiting camps/claims to spend time with members, they are teaching classes all the time at different camps/claims, they are behind the scenes setting up gold shows, they are working with venders to get new products for the shows, they are working hand in hand with some of the states regulatory agencies and representatives, I can go on and on about what they are doing as I have seen much of the above first hand. So I would say its up to you but I would also say don't listen to the negative and make your own decision based on what you know not what a few negative nellys say. I am a proud LDMA/GPAA member and wouldn't change it. As far as gold goes, its in the ground and you have to work for it to get it, its not going to jump in your pan.

Freddie

US Navy Retired

Thomas, I also live in Spokane, I have been an LDMA member for the last year, I have gone to one outing, last year at burnt river and had a great time. I am very pleased with the organization, you are right, recently there has been some grumbling about camp fees. I find the fees to be very reasonable and from what I understand the fees are being used to cover the camps so that the fees we pay as members can be used to get more land for us to mine. So that sounds good to me, I will pay some fees in order to get better land. Having said all that, there are NO claims in this area, you need to go to eastern Oregon for the LDMA camps and down around Lewiston for GPAA claims. So some travel issues getting to the claims. I also belong to the NEW 49ers, great club great claims, however, their claims are in Northern California, even farther drive. AMRA has some claims in this area around Lewiston. The local club is The Northwest Gold prospectors Association. They have a main camp at eagle city mining this is ran by Robert Lowe he owns eagle city, wee have I believe about 13 claims around eagle city, this is the Murray Id area. Takes me about 70 minutes to get their from Spokane valley. Good club, the claims are Ok we have found gold every time we have gone out, remember I am a newbie and still learning, but did find about 1/2 ounce last year and you can dredge using up to a two inch dredge. Eagle city has outings every month the weekend after the meeting, I put a link below for Eagle City you can link to the club from there. Good luck Thomas hope to see you out there. Keith, not retired Navy, but I did do five years stationed at pearl, rough duty. Aloha

NORTHWEST GOLD PROSPECTOR'S ASSOCIATION
http://www.goldfeverminingsupply.com/nwgpa.html

Freddie,

  First and foremost thank you for your service.  Second, thank you for replying with your experience.  As you know, most online comments about products are usually negative just because most satisfied people don't take the time to add comments. I have not formed an opinion of the GPAA yet but I think more comments from people like you who are satisfied would be a breath of fresh air.  

Keith,

  Thank you for the reply, advice, and your experience.  I actually stayed at the eagle city site one weekend.  I was looking to go to a now expired GPAA claim in northern ID.  It just so happened to be a weekend when they were having an outing...but it was rained out.  All of the people were very nice.  Invited us to their summer cook out.  About 1 year ago I thought I saw all of the eagle city claims and property up for sale.  Do you know anything about that?

Thomas some the claims belong to the club, I missed the meeting this month due to weather but last month the were looking for someone to help with working on the claims and we added two claims last year so I am pretty sure the club is not selling
. I own a lot at Eagle City and Bob has assured us all that he nor his kids will ever sell. He does own a few other claims that as a owner I have access to, Bob may have others that he has bought or sold that I am unaware of, that may be what you heard. I am pretty sure the club and Eagle city are solid.