A smart individual decides to use your dredge on your claim without permission .shifts the dredge a few km…causes a lot of damage to the dredge . What course of action do i take for full force of law
Shovel and six foot deep hole?
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Moving a dredge several km sounds more like they took your dredge. I would be photographing the material moved by the dredge in its new location and setting up some trail cameras to document their return. And maybe consider it’s removal as the work of more than one individual. Considering that I’d work out their possible entry and departure routes to the location and round up some muscle and give them a good scare once they re emerge. Maybe at the end of their work shift so they are nice and tired, and have a loaded box for your reward once you pounce on them. A camera down their getaway access might gather a numberplate or two in case you or the local fuzz needs to pay a visit to their place of residence.
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How the hell did you have your dredge vulnerable enough for that to even happen? Unbelievable. 
Kick a man when he’s down. Classy.
Hey Chewbecca, real sorry to hear that. Sucks balls big time, especially if its your livelihood. Out of interest are you in Otago, or the West Coast?
As for a course of action, I agree with queenstown’s response. Thats what I’d do. Unless you already know who the "smart individual is? Then I’d skip to "… pay a visit to their place of residence "
Also, you might PM moonlight, to ask what course of action was taken when he found out who stole his dredge (Stolen Dredge stony creek)
Good luck mate!
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Heli in heli out should explain it
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Hi all, probably more shit will happen, as the price of gold is up so high, more little C— will be trying there luck, as they think that they can come in and take it, from you claims. As a claim holder you,we have to pay the Government money each year for the pleasure and obey all the rules. Happy hunt on your Claims
Rather an odd thing to say. I’d say it’s common practice for guys to leave dredges at claims to use the following weekend or whatever. Lots of claims are remote or have poor river access and it’s impractical to take them out each time. Chains ropes and padlocks are only a cordless angle grinder away from not being effective at preventing theft.
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Yes true. But then the scumbags have to carry it out bit by bit themselves. Trail cams set up could record the arseholes & give photo ID. There are opportunists every where. With gold at record highs they will become more prevalent. Someone who steals a dredge must have somewhere they will be using it. Probably illegally as they most likely won’t have a claim, but maybe a mate of there’s does. Still a shit thing to have happen & I am well aware of the hassle of getting dredges into a spot & leaving them there. I have been lucky but then I did take motor & pump out with me each time.
JW 