8 Easy To Follow Tips On How To Pan For Gold

If you have ever washed a pan, then you also can learn how to pan for gold. Even if you have never gone panning for gold before, it is really very simple to figure out. There is a large amount of people who are resorting to gold mining prospecting, due to the state of our economy, and the need to increace their cash flow. I have put together a list of tips to help people that would like to pan for gold, but do not have any idea where to begin.

1. You may start by purchasing a prospecting pan. You can locate a prospecting pan at a local store close to a gold mining town, or you can go on the web and google prospecting pans. Prospecting pans come in a lot of shapes and sizes. They can almost always be found for around $19 or less. Do not try to use a pie pan, because they are definitely different from a gold mining pan. Doing so will be a waste of time.

2. Find the Gold Sweet Spot. Look in a creek close to where you live that has a bend in it, or very large rocks lying on the river bed. These spots will trap the gold a lot more. As the current recedes, it forces the gold nuggets to settle on the bottom. You may need to go wading, to get to the bilge, but these are the most opportunistic spots to discover your gold.

3. It is best to go panning for gold not long after it rains. The rapid currents will often stir things up, and force the gold to travel.

4. Fill your prospecting pan with concentrate collected from the stream bed, up to the top of the gold mining pan. Then, hold the pan slightly below the surface of the water, somewhere that the water is moving. begin moving the pan back and forth, but keep the pan close to level and moving the entire time. This forces the gold nuggets to settle on the bottom, and washes the dirt away. You can then lightly scrape off the rocks from the surface, being careful so you don't loose any flakes.

5. Continue the previous step until only a a little bit of dark sand is left in your prospecting pan, then remove the pan from the water.

6. Sort through the remaining concentrate keeping a watchful eye out for a shiny flake. These are your gold flakes.

7. Use tweezers to grab the gold flakes and store them in a small glass container.

8. Celebrate! You struck it rich!

Now that is How To Pan For Gold!

Carol Vance is a Webmaster and an Author. She enjoys helping others, spending time with her boyfriend, and the great outdoors. If you would like to see a video on How To Pan For Gold, or take a look at some Gold Prospecting Pans, then click on one of the links to see her newest site.

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Rare Wildlife You Can See in The Smoky Mountains

When traveling to the Smoky Mountains, one can pretty much expect to see some wildlife. The sites and attractions do not keep the wildlife from making this special area home. It is commonplace for visitors to be able to see many of these creatures up close in their natural habitat. Thankfully, this state park is filled with forest and mountains that cannot be cleared and the indigenous animals are protected.

American naturalists are used to seeing certain forest creatures wherever they go. These include various species of deer (especially the White-tailed deer), rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons and opossums. Birds such as quail, pheasants, ducks, Canada geese and common songbirds also are commonly seen. Of course, there are myriads of different fish, reptiles and amphibians around forest ponds, streams and lakes. Countless varieties of crawling and flying insects and arachnids do not even try to be inconspicuous to human invaders. These can readily be observed in the Great Smoky Mountain State Park and its surrounding areas; however, there are some indigenous fauna that are rarely seen and offer the patient and quiet naturalist a treat when spotted.

Among these are one of North America's largest land mammals, the black bear. Regardless of the size of these massive and strong beasts, they are actually quite shy. Black bears are usually loners unless they are mating or one is a sow with a litter of cubs. They prefer dense woods where they can forage for roots, berries, leaves and insects or small animals. Bears may also be spotted around remote streams, trying their paw at fishing for trout. Naturalists and photographers are urged to use extreme caution while close enough to a black bear to watch it. Even though they are shy, they have volatile tempers and are easily enraged with the strange scent of humans. This is especially true of mother bears and their babies. There have been numerous sitings of bears on the sides of the road. Several cubs have been spotted playing freely near major highways. Beware because anywhere a cub is, the mama is not far behind.

Perhaps a hiker may come across a red fox sneaking from his hole. These small, wild canines do a lot of hunting at night and are not usually seen. Since elk were introduced to the park, visitors may catch a glimpse of one dashing through the meadows or sipping from a placid pond at twilight. People who are observing at night may see a colony of bats swoop overhead or see an owl nosediving to catch a field mouse. Even though most people in the Southeast are used to hearing Whip-poor-Wills on warm summer evenings, the luckiest person may actually see one. Such a sighting is extremely rare. Different species of hawks and eagles are also a random sight. Beaver may also be seen on the odd occasion gnawing on a tree for its dam or underwater lodge. Its aquatic cousin, the otter, may make an appearance, too.

Visiting the Smoky Mountains is an experience that will inspire naturalists and other hobbyists alike. Whatever the reason to enjoy one of America's top national forests, visitors are asked to respect the land and its wild inhabitants for posterity. The forests and the wildlife may thank us with rare glimpse of themselves. It is a rare opportunity to see nature in their full glory and in all places a highly traveled tourist area.

Consider staying in a Smoky Mountain cabin rental to enhance your wildlife viewing experience. We have Smoky Mountain cabin rentals near both Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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Catching Crabs In The Weekapaug Breachway - From Edible To Illegal

Catching crabs in the Weekapaug Breachway is the ultimate experience in touching, feeling, and coexisting with ancient sea life. But before you begin your excursion it is wise to know not only which crabs are edible or not, but also which are illegal to harvest.

The Weekapaug Breachway is teaming with several varieties of crabs, the most common of which is the green crab. This creature has either a green or dark brown shell. It's legs are thin and it is readily apparent this crab contains little or no meat. The green crab is essentially a scavenger that will latch onto anything dead on the ocean floor. It is also a menace to the soft-shelled clam population. Higher up on the food chain are rock crabs whose light, cream-colored shell stands in stark contrast to its green crab brothers and sisters. Rock crabs are seen as a delicacy and are harvested in Rhode Island not only recreationally, but commercially as well. Blue crabs are even more desirable. Years ago, blue crabs were an endangered species and off limits to crabbers either commercial or recreational. But their numbers have sufficiently returned and while they are most associated with Chesapeake Bay, they are common in the waters from Weekapaug to Narragansett Bay. Out-of-staters are to be forewarned - harvesting of blue crabs is by residents only. Making blue crabs unique is that they may be cooked and eaten whole, shell and all. There is also a strict size limit of five inches and a harvest limit of 25. It is also noteworthy that blue crabs cannot be harvested between sunset and sunrise.

Finally, there is the horseshoe crab, a creature noteworthy on many fronts. First, it's scary-looking! If you can imagine a German soldier's helmet walking across the ocean floor, you have a pretty good picture of what a horseshoe crab looks like. One added feature is that the horseshoe crab has an 8-inch, hard, spiked tail. The horseshoe crab normally buries itself in the mud. Pity the person who comes walking by. The horseshoe crab shoots its tail upward as a defense mechanism, and to step on it would surely mean a trip to the hospital! A further unique quality of the horseshoe crab is evidenced by a quote from the regulations of the Rhode Island Department of Fisheries and Wildlife - "No person shall harvest horseshoe crabs from waters or shoreline of the state during the 48-hour period preceding and the 48-hour period following the new and full moons during the months of May, June and July annually.

Crabbing in the Weekapaug Breach is different things to different people. To a child it's a bucket full of green crabs to be enjoyed and tossed back into the ocean at the end of the day. To the seafood lover, there is the satisfaction of the catch-your-own dinner consisting of rock and blue crabs. And to the lover of nature, there is the majesty and mystery of the ancient horseshoe crab.

Tom Zalaski's book, 'The View From The Blanket - Vacation Memories From A Place Called Weekapaug' is the cure for the thousands of vacationers who can't get enough of Weekapaug, Westerly, Misquamicut and Watch Hill. As you read the essays of Tom's experiences, you'll find yourself saying, "Hey, that's what we do! It's like he went on our vacation!" Learn more about the book and enjoy a FREE chapter in The Bookstore at http://www.tomzalaski.com/

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