Old Timer Panning Gold
Its kind of funny actually. So many times in print and in person I see people say prospectors or miners are gold panning when its clear they are not. Now I get it, just a label to give something overall but its comical none the less.
Last year my friend Adam and I were hiking a wash with detectors and picks in our hands. We meet a hunter in the same wash. He looks at us an asks “Are you guys gold panning?” “Nope, don’t have a pan with us.” 
Also last year I had my Keene RC1 Rock Crusher in the back of my pickup near Prescott on my way to sample a vein when a Fish and Game Ranger stops me and ask if I plan on panning for gold. “No I do not”…”Well is that not mining equipment?”…”Indeed it is.”..”So you are gold panning”…”Nope, not even crushing rock in my rock crusher right now, just sitting here talking to you.” He was very nice and laughed.
So next time you see someone out gold mining or prospecting try and get it right or be prepared to share a chuckle. As always, good luck and happy hunting!
