LOL. Yeah, the "drive right up to it first time" was the part that got us 
In reality, all claims are supposed to have 4 corner posts, with a sign on the post saying which corner it is, and one post having a copy of the claim docs in a waterproof bottle. If you get close, you can usually find a post and extrapolate from there. And that is the real way to find a claim. The county records and BLM records are a great starting point, but actually seeing the posts in the ground is the only way to know for sure that you are in the right place. The records will say "... 20 acres in Section Such and Such, or Township/Range So and So...", but you have to put hands on a wooden post to actually know. The rules are very specific on the posts, too. If you use the wrong material, or color, or size, the BLM can invalidate your claim.
Camping on BLM land has certain rules, and they have nothing to do with the claim. You can camp on most BLM land, whether or not you or anyone else has a claim on it. We found some of the Rainbow tribe on ours once. Nothing we could do legally to run them off. Had we tried we would have been arrested. We have camped on other claims, just because they were prettier than ours. Our claim is also leased out for cattle. We find plenty of pies During hunting season we see campers, too. I don't know of a specific permit for New Mexico, but some places do have permits for BLM land use. The Ranger Station is the best bet for info. There is one in Truth or Consequences for the National Forests nearby, Chibolo if I remember right. They answer the phones, but I've not had much luck with emails. From what I've seen, the 14 day rule is in effect, and fairly well enforced.
Bama
In reality, all claims are supposed to have 4 corner posts, with a sign on the post saying which corner it is, and one post having a copy of the claim docs in a waterproof bottle. If you get close, you can usually find a post and extrapolate from there. And that is the real way to find a claim. The county records and BLM records are a great starting point, but actually seeing the posts in the ground is the only way to know for sure that you are in the right place. The records will say "... 20 acres in Section Such and Such, or Township/Range So and So...", but you have to put hands on a wooden post to actually know. The rules are very specific on the posts, too. If you use the wrong material, or color, or size, the BLM can invalidate your claim. Camping on BLM land has certain rules, and they have nothing to do with the claim. You can camp on most BLM land, whether or not you or anyone else has a claim on it. We found some of the Rainbow tribe on ours once. Nothing we could do legally to run them off. Had we tried we would have been arrested. We have camped on other claims, just because they were prettier than ours. Our claim is also leased out for cattle. We find plenty of pies
During hunting season we see campers, too. I don't know of a specific permit for New Mexico, but some places do have permits for BLM land use. The Ranger Station is the best bet for info. There is one in Truth or Consequences for the National Forests nearby, Chibolo if I remember right. They answer the phones, but I've not had much luck with emails. From what I've seen, the 14 day rule is in effect, and fairly well enforced. Bama
