I would also like to know this. Can a Family member come with me to a site and help me dig? I am getting old and would like to know if I can have the help with me.

Welcome Brian and Steven,

Question 1

Your family, friends, curious friends can all participate under your card.
Friends I believe are limited to panning only if I remember correctly

Question 2

Hopfully you all leave with some color and want to go back and do it again

Question 3

Depending on the area of your activities, there can be different rules of the land
You dont say where your located, general idea would help with info
in California, we can no longer dredge "legally", or use motorized equipments in water ways
Some areas, you arent allowed to introduce dry material to a stream or river
Fill in your holes within reason

Question 4

Short of a ten wheeler dump truck, take what you can carry
You will find over time and experience to classify your cons to take home, unless your into carrying heavy buckets to the truck
Again, all areas have their rules, just like fishing, you learn the rules, in mining they can be kinda loose within reason
Lots to learn, dont worry you will over time
In stream activities include slicing, panning, digging, swimming, splashing you get the idea

Get out there and do it, it's "fun" when your back hurts

Bill

I'll amplify Bill's reply a little. You can have up to 4 "guests" with you on a claim. They are limited to pans only, while as a member you can use any legal equipment allowed by local regs. Spouse and kids are covered under your membership.....as it's a family membership.

In some areas you are limited to the amount of material you can take off-site. Oregon for instance, you can take one 5 gal bucket of black sand a day from the beach. Your choice of either just dug or you can process down to cons. Note: don't try carrying a 5 gal. bucket of black sand unless you're an Olympic weight lifter. I managed to get one into the front floor of my Cherokee, and the voice is still half an octave high.

GPAA claims are "casual use" meaning hand tools only for digging material, subject to regs. Some areas and forests back east won't allow a shovel, only a trowel. You can't come in with a tractor with bucket and backhoe. Generally, don't disturb bank side vegetation, try to keep sediment to a minimum and you won't get much static.

Some states have"in water" work times and equipment limits of what can be used where and when, i.e., you can use pans and sluice all year, but can only use a suction dredge during certain months or not at all to protect fish and spawning areas. (This is for Oregon, your mileage may vary.)

Hope this helps some. Check with the BLM and USFS where you want to go, along with the state water, mineral, and environmental quality offices. Some states like Washington you also have to carry their"gold and fish" book. That one tells you when and where you can and can't prospect, and they don't have a sense of humor with you if not following to the letter.

More info of where you are going to be going....in general terms, would be helpful. Members in that area can guide you in the right direction and keep you from stumbling.

I'll also recommend joining a local chapter if you haven't. Lot of knowledge in them, as well as having others to get out and find some of the elusive stuff.
Good luck

Gang,
With Art and Bill grabbing these questions like this and giving SPOT ON info, there is nothing that I can or would add to this thread.
In the Nov Dec GPAA Magazine I have slipped in a piece about GPAA Member Rights on a claim. In this new norm and record gold prices there's been a few issues and I want the members to know and have access to thier member benefits and rights as a member. There is also a section on what is not allowed by law under CFR 43 & 36.