Tips and Tricks for

the Beginner

A guide for the biginning fossil collector

 

         Unlike many hobbies Fossil hunting can be a real challenge and requires a lot of time and patience. Most people just jump into it expecting they will find that big Megalodon tooth or that really nice echinoid when the fact is that you stand a good chance of coming out with little to nothing. But, there are some ways to increase your chances of finding that one perfect fossil you have always dreamed about!

THE GEAR                                                             

Backpack - Backpacks are one of the most helpful things in the field collecting fossils. Helps to carry equipment around and store the fossils you find. Big bulky backpacks just get in the way, I would reccomend getting a small backpack or shoulder bag.   

Small Cooler- Any and all collectors know that having a small cooler is one of the necessities. Any small thermal pouch would work, just big enough to hold a drink and a snack. Something that can easily fit into your Backpack would do great. Also reccomended would be to carry a larger cooler in your vehicle. Pack the cooler with ice and drinks (water or something that can help replenish your body would be the best).

Cell Phone- This only applies to those that have cell phones. If you have one I would reccomend that you take it with you into the field, just in case you become hurt or lost.

First Aid Kit- Not many people do this but still it is a good idea. Take a First Aid Kit along with you. You dont have to necesarily carry it in your pack, just leave it in your vehicle. On more than one occasion I wish I would have had one. Also on hot days I would also throw in some sun screen.

Extra Clothing - Again, this isnt something that you need to carry around with you while hunting for fossils. Just simply leave it in your car. Even in dry pits I would still take an extra set of clothing. I would also carry some gloves to use while digging. A hat is also nice to wear while hunting.

Hard Hat - If you are hunting in an active mine I would suggest you wear a hard hat. Many active mines require hunters to wear hard hats anyhow, but if they do not I woudl still wear one just for the sake of being safe.

Sketch Pad/Note Pad or Camera - Good idea to take these into the field to make notes and snap off a few pictures. These notes, sketches, and photos can help those who know the area ID what formation your are hunting in and also they provide for some great cataloging.

 

Hunting Supplies

Small Padded Boxes - Small padded boxes are very helpful for keeping delicate fossils in. Make sure the boxes are padded enough to where the fossil can not roll around and potentially break.

Tin Foil - Tin Foil is good for wrapping larger more delicate fossils in. I would not place this however in my backpack. If you are not to far from your vehicle, lay your back pack on the ground so you can remember where you came from, and run the fossil back to your vehicle for safe keeping.

Rock Hammer - Good for clearing away a big chunk of rock from a fossil or removing a fossil from a big chunk of rock! Also helpful in climbing up rather steep hills. As well, it can fit easily into your backpack.

5 Gallon Bucket - Very useful for carrying large fossils such as vertbrea, which will not fit into your pack. You should write your name on your bucket just in case you have to leave it for a while. 

Plastic Gallon Bags - Fit very easily into your backpack and can be used to hold bulk fossils such as sharks teeth or belemites. Keeps things organized.

Sift and Shovel - Only take these if where you are hunting requires you to dig. Many places are to hard to dig and all you can do is surface hunt. A picture guide to buiding a screen can be found at: http://groups.msn.com/eastcoastfossilclub/makingafossilsiftingscreen.msnw

 

Rules

Consent - Be sure it is ok to hunt in the pit or on the property. Your chances of finding fossils are greater if your arent kicked out of the pit. I would have them sign a document that said you were able to hunt into the pit just in case.

HAVE FUN! - Have fun and hang loose when your out there. Dont try and out hunt other people, just go out there and have a good time with friends or to just relax. Fossiling isnt a competition and thats where a lot of people go wrong.

Common Sense - Please take along your common sense with you when you go out to hunt for fossils. Dont take risks. People who take risks usually end up hurt or dead. People who dont use their common sense usually end up getting kicked out of where they are hunting and the owners shut the site off to anyone to collect fossils. So please, use your common sense.

 

We encourage other web sites to use this guide on their web sites. All that we ask is that you put where you got it from and a link to Lost Fossils. Thanks all those who use it. If you do decide to use it please email the manager at fossil_man88@hotmail.com.