Living in Montana the best to find gold is where gold has been found before. Looking at maps of old mining districts, using the BLM to determine where mining claims used to be but are not claimed now. Even taking your pan out on a stream and seeing if there is any "color" where public land exists or getting permission from private land owners is fun.

For those just starting get some basic education of where and how to look. Start with basic tools (you can get fancier later), join a local propecting group or one where you are planning on visiting. The Northwest Montana Prospectors Club is $30.00 a year and you can work on their claim in the summer months.

It's good experience to get out and work and visit nature. Modern propectors are not the "devils" that people living in cities or have agendas try to make them out to be. It's a great family time and educational in the process.