Prospecting Regulations

[BeeMan]

What kinds of rules and regulations are there about prospecting?  Where can you go, where cant you go?  I have been interested in prospecting for years, but worried about what the regs are for it.  I am planning a trip to Colorado, up to Montana, and back down through the Dakota's next summer, and would like to try a little panning along the way.  Any good websites out there?  Thanks!

[45454]

BeeMan,
Yes, try GPAA, and UPI. United Prospectors Inc.
GPAA, would probably have more extensive coverage.ie: have more property,than UPI.
Check there first, with GPAA.
Then next, would be consult a map of your travel.Then go to the websites
where you intend to go, and ask them. Usually no problems. Here in
Kaleefornia, the rules and regulations are getting very stupid.
They think they "own" it.
And another thought,join a gold panning/prospecting club in your area.
Hope your pan is all yellow.
I'm a life member of UPI.
Hope this helps.

[randy1950]

Every state is different. For example here in Washington state we have to have a copy of the Gold and Fish Book on our person at all times while prospecting. It gives the dates and streams open and what methods you can use.  We will be in Yuma in two weeks and will be prospecting in that area. Didn't do too bad last time we were there. That is until my brother in law lost the gold we had worked for. But that's another story. Hope to do a little hunting while there too. Anyone know what kind of small critters they have in the Yuma area?