Learn how to Find Rockhounding Sites with My Mapping System - Rockhounding Tutorial #1

In this video, I teach you my rockhounding mapping system that took me years to develop! Through my maps, I am able to locate unknown and forgotten about locations and abandoned mines in order to find rare and valuable gemstones and minerals.
Learn the specific mapping systems I use, how to use these maps online, and how to explore within these maps to find mineral hotspots.
I also show you symbols from the USGS key legend system in order to interpret the old maps. Within these maps lies the secrets to discovering epic gemstones and is one of my biggest contributors to my discoveries and explorations.
Maps in the video:
OnXhunt Pro Mobile Map: alnk.to/60YKEP5
Google Earth: www.google.com/earth/about/ve...
MRdata Mine Locations: mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/map-grad...
TopoView Historical Maps: ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewe...
USGS Map Key Legend: www.historicaerials.com/topo-...
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[@RusticSkills]

Join my awesome adventure newsletter! rusticskills.com/newsletter 📰 If you find my content helpful and entertaining, consider buying me a coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/rusticskills ☕ My TOP TOOLS for Rockhounding: amzn.to/3Pf3azh Wilderness Survival Essentials: amzn.to/3Pf3azh Best Navigation App: alnk.to/60YKEP5

[@DesertGuyAZ]

Great info -- especially coming from another person in AZ!

[@Christinals]

Love this. Thank you.

[@RusticSkills]

You are very welcome, and more tutorials to come!

[@doctorofart]

Oh no, I’m watching this one again first. Thank you. I’d love to go out on a dig. I’m in Miami Globe AZ and have some descent spots if your interested in coming out this way.

[@RusticSkills]

Nice! Let me know how you liked the video. I'm interested in going on a dig! Maybe this spring!

[@huntingeverythingwithmikem3458]

Thanks for the maps tips, definitely need to get the onX.

[@RusticSkills]

Its a great mapping app, I love it

[@ericrundle8664]

Thank you I am looking forward to the next vid on this subject. I live in western Colorado and I don't seem to find many resources for rock hunting in my region. This will help me in my search. Thanks agent Eric

[@RusticSkills]

Oh you are very welcome! If you are living near the Rockies, you should have access to lots of rockhounding locations in Colorado. This map will help you out a lot. I have spent probably 200 hours pouring over these maps, you will have fun just doing that, let alone going on a dig!

[@rachaelb9164]

I’ve found Gaia GPS to be very helpful. It’s similar to OnX but I find the interface easier to use or maybe I’m just used to it. You can have several map layers that include bedrock geology, private/public lands, mines and mineral resources, and I like using a satellite image and topography to see what the terrain is.

[@RusticSkills]

I think the two apps are very similar, I tried Gaia many years ago but I don't think they had the mineral and geology layers back then. I will give it another try when my onxhunt expires!

[@daewalker3892]

Simple thanks for all the useful information.

[@RusticSkills]

You're so welcome!

[@outdoorwally8430]

I love maps👍⛏️

[@RusticSkills]

Me too, they are one of my favorite things in the world

[@richardhoffman9729]

Thank you! That was the best presentation of mapping information I have ever seen. I'm and old school guy that grew up with lots of paper topo maps and I'm not too familiar with the new systems. Thank you again!!!

[@RusticSkills]

I am glad you found my mapping system helpful and informative! You will love TopoView, you get access to every topo map ever made for USA, and it overlays right into Google Earth. Its fun to go thru all the maps from oldest to newest to see how things changed! I can go on that site for hours pouring over all the old topo maps. Its too cool!

[@Serenityhounding]

Superb video! This is very helpful. Looking forward to more of your videos on rockhounding. AZ is a magical place to wander and hunt.

[@RusticSkills]

It is the BEST place to quest! I am so glad you enjoyed my video. I will be doing more of these tutorials and also gem hunting. I just went on a big hunt for desert roses!

[@SissyMchill1]

Very awesome 👏🏻 video. Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed that so much. 😊

[@RusticSkills]

Glad you enjoyed my video! 🤗

[@enigmatic51me95]

Question...why do you choose to stay away from lead mines!?

[@ragnarnorthman2673]

Great video, like your website, signed up. How often are OnX maps updated? Ruby may be off limits. Also too close to border. Been there. Check points, helicopters, look out towers. What about south of Wickenburg near Vulture City? Are you going to rocks shows in Tucson? Rob

[@RusticSkills]

So Ruby does allow people to go there with a day permit, but no metal detecting. Didn't mention anything about rockhounding. I live 20 miles from the border and I rockhound around here all the time, there are a few areas I don't go but I have never had any issues. I've never heard of Vulture City, what is that about? I am going to the Gem Shows! I will be doing coverage and making videos. I am going to at least 4 of them. I even got a hotel for a weekend! Can't wait! Thanks for joining the newsletter, I think you will like it :)

[@rockwellanddebbiekelly7888]

This was very informative video. I'm new to all of this. How do I learn to learn to authenticate a gem? Thank you for being s generous with your wealth of knowledge. --- Rocky

[@RusticSkills]

You're so welcome! And that is actually my next topic in my rockhound tutorial series! How to identify gemstones in the wild. A couple of quick tips - know what gemstone you are looking for when you go out, have a target set. Start studying images of gems, especially what rough gemstones look like. Stay tuned for my next tutorial!

[@rockwellanddebbiekelly7888]

Awesome. Thx. Looking forward to it?

[@RusticSkills]

Yes should be coming out within the next month!

[@rachaelb9164]

It’s not just gold… if you dig around on any active claim you can be arrested for claim jumping. Our rock club owns a couple claims in OR and one of those is constantly having issues of claim jumping because it was incorrectly listed as public land by a rockhounding book. Always double check the land online and DO NOT rockhound on an active claim.

[@RusticSkills]

Yep, this is true. Any claim is valid for metals and gems, and collecting on an active claim is trespassing. You need to look for active claims on thediggings.com. I will update show notes with this link.