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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 mechanical equipment on the northern area of the Cherokee National Forest. (Monroe county)  They are for 1 calendar year. January 1 till Dec. 31. 

Again, it is free to get them renewed, but it is just an added time frame you need to think about before going.
They must be picked up in person, Monday through Friday - they do not mail them anymore.
 
According to the ranger at the southern ranger station, along highway 64,  you do not need a permit to use a hand sluice, or pan 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.  

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, 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


You may pan and sluice, anywhere in the Cherokee national forest without a permit, except in wilderness 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 ofTNGold.com ]