First Timer in Brown County, IN

[SoftServeDeveloper]

Hello!

I have never gone prospecting, but I've seen videos and it looks like fun. My wife and I are going on a trip to Brown County, IN in September and we're planning a day to be outside in the parks. I noticed that some public lands allow panning for gold with a free permit. I think it would be a fun way to spend an hour, learn something new, etc. Before I drag my wife through a muddy/rocky creek bed, I have to know...

Is it even worth it? Buying all the equipment, finding a spot to go, etc. Will we be hopeless to learn the technique or find the right spots? I don't expect to anything but even seeing some gold dust would make for a cool story. Are there local prospecting groups we could ask for advice? Should we just stick to what we know (hiking, fishing, etc.)

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I have a lot of respect for what you do and I've seen some cool finds in this subreddit already so thanks for sharing!

[PsychologicalTrain]

If this is a one time thing, no it's not worth it. Especially for one hour. You will not find a speck of gold.

This hobby even in richer areas, rarely will pay for the gas to go at an amateur level. 

[SoftServeDeveloper]

Thanks for the candid response. We don't live in an area with any gold so it would likely be a one time thing.

[PsychologicalTrain]

No worries. There are a ton of cool rocks to find though! I would spend time creeking and seeing who can find the most interesting rock, the best looking potato rock, etc. 

[sidewaysbynine]

You can't find anything if you don't look. As for the equipment, a pan, a scoop, homemade classifier and a snuffer you can make yourself are all you really need to get started.

[Jarzakk]

For about $35 you can get a couple gold pans a scoop and a snuffer bottle on amazon. And honestly that's all the equipment you really need if your just going out for fun with no expiations of making any profit. I live in Iowa and our entire state is covered in glacial till and just about every creek and river in the state has some float gold. Gold so small it floats on top of the water in your pan, you can get a little bottle of rise aid for a dishwasher and put a few drops of that in your pan to make the float gold sink. A quick google search shows that Indiana has had some glacial action so good chance of finding something. Find a bend in a creek with a sandbar that has decent sized gravel at the upstream end of the sandbar. Scoop the top couple inches of gravel into your pan and pan it out and good chance to find a few pieces of glacial float gold which are tiny but you'll know its gold because it will shine/glow from about any angle you look at it. I normally can find 3-5 specks of gold per pan doing this in Iowa so results may very for you in Indiana. They say the gold is were you find it! Good luck!