Hello!
We are Don & Sharon Beagle, and are the current GPAA Eastern
PA State Representatives. We are members of both Susquehanna
and Bald Eagle Chapters of the GPAA. We have been panning for
gold for the last few years. We got involved in it through a
friend who thought we would be interested because we own a rock and
mineral shop in the area. He asked if we could get some
supplies for panning and Presto!, here we are.
We would like to thank the local club (Susquehanna), as well as
Dean and Marie, for the support in becoming the new Reps. WE
hope to be able to fill the large shoes of Dean. He was very
instrumental in the new laws coming out regarding recreational gold
panning here in Pennsylvania.
While the new laws may not be quite what were hoped for, it is at
the least, a step in the right direction. We still have an
uphill battle with some conservation groups that really don't
understand what we are doing and how we do it. My feelings on
this is, these groups think we are going to go in like they did in
California in the Gold Boom Years. We are not doing the
hydraulic mining that choked streams with mud and debris killing any
kind of marine life that was living in the streams. If
anything we are helping keep the streams clean by removing lead,
mercury (when found), trash, and any other junk clogging our
streams.
Speaking for myself, I know when I'm out hunting or fishing I
take my pan along with me. Some days the fish don't bite and
rather than going back home it's nice to stay out and look for gold.
Sharon and I have found more trash over the years than gold but a
day in the field is always better than a day inside, for me at
least. Sharon says she feels the same way as well.
Hopefully this gives you an idea of who and what we are.
Hope to see you at the meetings or in the streams.
Don & Sharon Beagle
P.S.
Don't forget: Always ask the owner before delving into a
stream. They probably won't believe you'll find gold but they
more than likely will watch and it will give you a chance to share
your passion for what we do!
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