Author Topic: GPAA worth the money? (Read 8979 times)

S.B. · « **on:** December 15, 2006, 03:20:43 AM »

Does anyone here have experience with joining GPAA and paying for a membership from Illinois? $80 seems like a lot of money for a plastic pan and a glass vial and location book. How often is the guide book updated? I dought with my work schedual, I'd have time for their outings. I understand, prospecting is for recreation but, is it possible to find enough gold in Illinois to justify the price?

jdt48653 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2006, 12:00:17 PM »

i think that if one has a family it can be a lot of fun,and in ill you may not get rich in gold.
but in some areas it would cost much more just to find a site to camp on,also at the outings
there is good fellowship,and lots can be learned.for example you can learn about metal detecting
and there is much to be detected for in ill.(its not the finding the gold,its the looking for it).

S.B. · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2006, 02:43:03 PM »

jdt48653, are you a member? Don't disagree with you about the outings but, I'm a construction worker and my summers are for making money, that way. By the way, here's a good read about Illinois gold: http://www.philipcoppens.com/burrowscave.html

jdt48653 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2006, 10:03:08 AM »

yes,i am a lifetime member gpaa/ldma. have never regreted it.joined in 92.
headed for stanton ariz. and other parts in jan.

S.B. · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2006, 12:02:02 PM »

How often do they edit their claims manual? I can't get anyone out there to answer any of my questions. Just $87 and wait for up to 6 weeks for delivery.

Kaimi · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2006, 01:40:30 PM »

Granted they are a little slow with their responses BUT where else can you pay less that a $100 for all the information you get. And that is not counting the friendships you will be making whenever you attend an outing. I for one do not regret spending the money to join just so AI can find a couple of good spots and then meet the people who attend the outings as well as the people I meet at some of the claims. Prospectors are some of the nicest people out. BTW, it is a hobby and should not be entered into it if you think you will become a rich person. I am rich in the sense that the friends I have made since joining has made me a richer person.

Kaimi

S.B. · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2006, 02:25:07 PM »

Kaimi, have you used the claims book? If so, where and when? Again, I'm far too busy during the summer months to go to a outing? And, if someone could answer my question about how often is the claims book updated, what edition is it on and what when did it start(date of first edition)?

jdt48653 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2006, 04:05:29 PM »

the guide is updated when ever a new claim is added or when ever a claim is pulled .this info is sent out with the pick &shovel newspaper,and also updates are put in each issue of the gold prospectors magizine.the main guide is a once a year update.this may change.
for more info call 800-551-9707

S.B. · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2006, 04:28:51 PM »

So, how often is that? When was the last time?

Kaimi · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2006, 06:54:00 AM »

Cant give you a definite answer yet BUT wait a couple of weeks and I will check with someone at the gold show in primm next month.

Aloha, Kaimi aka Stan

Lead pot · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2007, 11:55:24 AM »

I'm a life time member gpaa/ldma. Six years ago the Kids got me a membership for the GPAA so I had some place to go with out infringing on someones private claim, I since then joined the LDMA.
I have found Gold on all claims I been on, especially the Alaskan claims.
As far as the Illinois area I have found collar even in my back yard but just enough to say it's there.
I dont know were your at but your close enough to make a long week end trip to Indiana, there a couple public places with good camping or Ohio.
When you get lay ed off in the winter there is always Georgia or AZ.
As far as the up dates the pick&shovel comes about quarterly.
Yes I think the GPAA is money not wasted, I spend most of my time in Wyo, MT, and Co. and I can make the Black Hills in 12 hours.
And there is Gold in Wisconsin and Mich.
Kurt

S.B. · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2007, 02:37:58 AM »

I'm not sure this is gold prospecting but, it sure is treasure hunting.
http://www.philipcoppens.com/burrowscave.html
http://www.ancientamerican.com/cave1.htm

with a lot of controvercy but, so does the Lost Dutchman mine?

jdt48653 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2007, 12:52:26 PM »

s.b. join the gpaa forum,its free and has a wealth of information

S.B. · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2007, 01:21:31 PM »

Quote from: jdt48653 on February 19, 2007, 12:52:26 PM

s.b. join the gpaa forum,its free and has a wealth of information

Do you have a link to this?

jdt48653 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 20, 2007, 04:56:45 AM »

s.b. try this.you will have to join the forum to get in.

http://www.goldprospectors.org/newforum/default.asp

barber · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2007, 05:22:09 AM »

My brother and I joined back in the late eighties, went down to Happy Camp, it was worse than a joke. Once we paid our money, no one wanted to tell us any thing, the camping spots were a dust bowl in the rose bushes. we cancelled out. What a rip-off.Brother had a dredge, I was going to metal detect. Was never so disgusted in my life.

S.B. · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2007, 05:37:50 AM »

jdt48653, sounds like every construction job I've been on. I really need to join this organazation. I'd feel right at home?

jdt48653 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2007, 02:55:20 PM »

s.b. i hope you do,they are puting togother a chapter for 4 states that include ILL.
see you joined the forum.good.
barber,im sorry you were treated like that.i beleave it is a lot different these days.
it was a mess back in the day.its more organized now.they also have a lot better claims,and more of them.those who started out back then are gone.you should give it a second chance!

Lead pot · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2007, 04:03:30 PM »

Barber

I dont think that I have ever been at a gold camp that didn't have dust flying around the diggings

In the seven years that I been a member with them I can honestly say that I have never met a person that I didn't get to like before we went our separate ways.
And if he would show me some of his findings and I asked were he found it and if he wont say I wouldn't feel offended, because I sure wouldn't tell him my hot spot

Kurt

barber · « **Reply #19 on:** March 03, 2007, 05:46:15 AM »

Well, I'm really glad you people had positive experiences. They also put out a book about places to prospect, and a lot of the places at Liberty WA were claims, and it caused a lot of hassle. In my experience, they're strictly a money making operation, which I have no problem with, as long as they deliver what they say they will. Just some of my experiences with with GPAA. Maybe because my brother and I are not just weekend prospectors, but were full timers, that may have made the difference. Any way , enjoy, life's too short to do otherwise;

S.B. · « **Reply #20 on:** March 03, 2007, 06:30:33 AM »

Has anybody tried the Gear Up Your Garage game on their website? All I get is water cans?

S.B. · « **Reply #21 on:** May 10, 2007, 12:19:27 AM »

What are the anual due after you've payed for the guide book and supplies?

jdt48653 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 10, 2007, 05:09:01 PM »

no annual dues that i know of. ldma has yearly dues of 120.00 at this time.when you join whatever the dues are at that time stay at that price.

S.B. · « **Reply #23 on:** May 16, 2007, 11:15:52 PM »

Quote from: S.B. on May 10, 2007, 12:19:27 AM

What are the anual due after you've payed for the guide book and supplies?

From what I can tell from their website annual dues are around $65 after joining, initially?

MadJack · « **Reply #24 on:** June 27, 2007, 11:07:16 PM »

The information you get in the 'buzzard special' is a lifetime of schooling just on the panning tape alone! If you can't pan, don't bother going, so the tape is well worth the $$$ and you get the guide, pan, snuffer bottle plus a wealth of other info.
I have been doing this prospecting for 20+ years and joined the GPAA in '97. I'm still with themand loving it. I really like the magazine which you can get for around $20 per year or join up for $80 or so and stay with them for $65 per year.
As for the claims guide being updated, there is a new one every year...some things change, some do not. If there is a change mid year they report it in the Pick & Shovel Gazzette quarterly.

I have heard beginners ask all the wrong questions like, "where do I dig to find gold"? Well, if they knew, THEY would be there digging for it and not telling you! I help a lot of people with their panning technique and a spot to dig and sometimes let them take the dredge hose for a spell. If they are willing to work hard at it and not whine about "I'm not finding any gold" I keep helping them. The first bit of whining and I'm all done.

At least join once and use them to learn all you can, then decide if it is worth staying with them. Go to an outing during the winter or when you have vacation time and see what it's like. Check out everything they do and see if you don't learn something.
To a lot of folks it's worth every penny, to others it's not worth signing up every year. You have to answer that for yourself and the only way to do that is to join ONCE! Then you'll know.

S.B. · « **Reply #25 on:** June 28, 2008, 03:40:06 AM »

Does the GPAA guide tell or give tips on where to sell or have your ore assayed?

S.B. · « **Reply #26 on:** July 07, 2008, 05:25:23 PM »

Just retired so, looking for some outtings? Joined GPAA this last Sunday.

S.B. · « **Reply #27 on:** July 07, 2008, 05:34:00 PM »

jdt48653, been a while since I participated on the forum, now can't seem to get logged on? Any suggestions?
Steve

S.B. · « **Reply #28 on:** September 22, 2008, 03:00:22 AM »

I joined the GPAA in May this year and haven't heard much from them since. My prospecting buddy and I went over to Indiana for their Mogan Monroe outing this last weekend and had a great time of it. Learned a lot and people were very helpful and friendly. Wayne Mercer(President of the Central Indiana Prospectors Club) and his buddy Todd are very knowledgeable people and helped me tremendously with my panning technique, I actully found some gold in that mud, everyone there did. After the outing we attended their meeting and then drove down to Gatesville General Store for a hog roast with all the trimmings. My compliments to Robin(the gal who runs this store and cooked the meal) it was delicious! I highly recommend anyone in this area contact Wayne.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Central_Indiana_GPAA/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1
YOU DO NOT have to be a member of GPAA to attend these outings, Wayne will give you hands on instructions and can turn you onto the proper equipment for panning in the midwest.
The Southern Indiana Chapter has an outing coming up in late October and Robin has a good supply of tools for the starter at her store.
http://www.geocities.com/southernindianagpaa/

45454 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 23, 2008, 09:29:17 AM »

What I like about the GPAA is,the properties.
They have quite a few,compared with Untied Prospectors Inc.
Although UPI does have some. I'm a life member.
I have been at Italian Bar.Good sized nuggets have been found.
The GPAA can be a good deal.May not get exactly rich,but that elusive big nugget is
still there.
What is the current price of the LDMA ?