Tn. Gold prospecting permit info:
For those of you that are GPAA members, you get the phone number to the Tellico ranger station as the contact for getting your dredging permits. (info below)
These are free, and they are required to dredge and use a sluice box on the northern area of the Cherokee National Forest. They used to be for 1 year, however, due to people abusing prospecting areas, they have now made them valid for 3 months at a time.
Again, it is free to get them renewed, but it is just an added time frame you need to think about before going.
The fine is worth taking the time to call or stop in their office.
According to the ranger at the southern ranger station, along highway 64, you do not need a permit to use a hand sluice at that end of the forest.
This means that you can go to the south end of Coker Creek with your sluice box, and pan without the permit.
When you get the prospecting permit, make sure you specify you want a Gold Dredge Permit; otherwise, they will send you a list of maps, and no permit paper. It happened to me once.
The Tellico district station is open Monday through Friday, except holidays. You can pick up maps for a fee, and pick your dredging permit up in person. If you call in, they will mail it right to you.
Do the rangers stop and check on you?
You bet they do!
I have been dredging on the Tellico River, and other areas, and had the rangers stop by, talk and check out my permits and ID, to make sure it was my permit.
I never, never met an unfriendly ranger yet. Every one I have talked to has been more than friendly, polite, and treated me with respect.
Know the rules, and abide by them, and you will not have any problems with the rangers. They are a great group from what I have seen so far. They enjoy speaking to prospectors and seeing if you're getting any gold if you have any to show them.
Some of the basic rules change from the northern area around Tellico, and the southern area along 64.
South:Stop by during the week and talk to the rangers. They will let you know where to go find gold in their area.
You may pan and (hand powered) sluice, without a permit. No dredging is allowed in this area. The rivers have hydroelectric dams that let out huge amounts of water, making it too dangerous for them to allow dredging.
You can shovel gravels in from within the water, but not any dirt from dry land. In other words, dig within the current water level. No digging in banks or dry land.
North:Tellico Ranger Station: 423-253-2520
Call and ask for your dredging permit. They will mail you a set of maps that show the areas you are allowed to dredge and prospect. They will also show the areas you are NOT allowed to prospect.
Even if you are only using a pan and/or sluice, get the permit for the maps.
You will need the permit for using a hand sluice in the Tellico area.
You may pan anywhere in the national forest without a permit, except in wildlife areas. This is a good reason to get the maps... so you don't get caught in the wrong place.
I have found good gold in several places within the parks area. Have fun and be safe.
Tim LeGrand,
TN Gold Co.
[ This article courtesy of
TNGold.com ]
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