What is Sniping?

Sniping is a word used to describe picking up gold nuggets right off of the bottom of streams. Picking them from crevices in the bedrock or from behind boulders. Usually involves some method of seeing through the surface of water to the bottom with the aid of a sniping tube. Even a diving mask can be used for this purpose. It's picking up GOLD that you can see. Usually with your hands or tools like hemostats or tweezers.

Lots of Patience and a strong back. Sniping requires lots of bending over to look beneath surface of water. You will be kneeling, bending over and maybe even falling in the water once in a while. Sound like fun?

1. Tweezers and/or hemostats for picking up nuggets.

2. Container for nuggets you find. Small vial made of glass or plastic.

3. Sniping Tube or diving mask or other device to make viewing through surface of water easier.

4. Prybar or large screwdriver for prying apart cracks in bedrock.

5. Large syringe for sucking up stuff out of cracks like flake GOLD.

6. Hip Waders or rubber boots. Depending on how much you want to be in the water and stay dry. You can also wear a wet or dry suit if you want to get in the water. If you get in the water, I highly recommend kneepads and gloves.

7. A nice warm towel and extra clothes in your vehicle, just in case you fall into the water! Best to be prepared.