Two men are seeking a permit from the Helena National Forest to look for gold on public land northwest of Avon, and forest officials want to know what the public thinks of the proposal.

Helena residents Marc Duncan and Ryan Betcher plan to use a rubber-tired backhoe and small excavator to dig two trenches up to 12 feet deep at Meyers Hill near the Ophir Creek drainage, according to information from the Helena forest.

Dave Madden, a mineral administrator for the Forest Service, said it’s a pretty small operation that is expected to take place through October 2008. The men already have “staked” their claim.

“People with metal detectors go to areas that had good gold and were mined in the past, then they go above those areas where there isn’t any water and couldn’t mine,” Madden said. “They used to pull gold nuggets out of that area.”

He added that with gold hovering around $680 an ounce, finding even a small nugget can be worth a few thousand dollars.

Betcher only laughs when asked if he’s found any sizable nuggets. Instead, he said they just about break even, due to the expensive equipment involved with their weekend hobby.

“We use mine lab detectors, which cost about $4,000 and search cells that go for $300 to $500,” Betcher said. “So it all goes back into the equipment, but it’s fun to get out in the mountains and get some exercise.”

He did say that they’ve had some luck searching through old mining piles.

“What also happens is that where they were mining with water, they sometimes hit clay,” Betcher said. “The gold would stick to the clay and roll out of the old sluices; so we’ve found some stuff in there.”

Betcher is quick to add that they don’t use any chemicals or even water in their search, and will refill any holes they dig.

Comments on their permit request will be taken for the next 30 days, and can be sent to District Ranger Duane Harp, 2001 Poplar Street, Helena, MT 59601.