Northwest Paleontology - Get Ready to Hunt for Fossils
It’s getting nice out and that means it’s time to visit fossil sites or hunt for fossils. The Northwest Paleontology Association has members at all levels of fossil hunting and all ages and abilities, including those who are getting out into the field for the first time. How should you prepare for the field? Here are some tips.
There are many fossil sites in the Pacific Northwest and we’ll be having field trips to some of them. For example, Stonerose Fossil Site in Republic, WA where members weekend is coming up on April 17-19. Membership is reciprocal with the Burke Museum, or pay a small fee. Then you can enjoy first crack at the fossil site before it opens to the public the following week. It’s fun for all ages and you can see what the winter freeze has split open for you.
Whether you are visiting Stonerose, combing the beaches of the Oregon coast, traveling to a dig in Montana or camping out in a remote area of Utah, you’ll need some digging gear.
Fossil Digging Tools:
If you are going on a paid dig program, the sites often supply tools for your use. But it’s nice to have your own set. The optimal tools to use will vary based on soil and rock type, so be sure to look online or ask so you can be prepared. Here are some suggestions:
A typical tool kit for fossil hunting includes:
Rock hammer aka rock pick – Estwing or similar. These come in a variety of sizes including smaller ones. They might not have the smaller Estwing ones at Home depot, but they can be ordered online. Since this is your main tool we recommend sizing to fit your grip size so you have less strain on your body when using it.
Chisels for splitting rock- not the kind you are scraping paint with. There are two kinds of chisels you may find helpful. Flat chisels for Green River fish splitting, and cold chisels for rock splitting elsewhere. Cold chisels come in many sizes, and you’ll want a size that suits the rock you are tackling. For example, you would use a small chisel for Stonerose leaf fossils and a big chisel for Olympic Peninsula crab concretions.
Oyster shucking knife and a very pointy awl – perfect for sandy soils, or excavating around delicate dinosaur bones.
Brush – to remove debris from where you are working.
Plastic scoop – if you are working in an area with a lot of debris such as a dinosaur site.
Magnifier loop
Crack hammer – for concretions along the OP coastline
Estwing Geo-Pick is a utility pick tool that is favored by geologists and paleontologists as a bit of rock hammer meets pick axe in the middle.
Knee pads or a foam kneeling / sitting pad
Gardening gloves
Water, and more water plus snacks
Brimmed hat and sunscreen, plus sun glasses. In some cases safety glasses would be advised.
Seriously - insect repellant !
Bucket or cardboard box to collect finds in. For beach combing, a cloth grocery bag is easy.
GPS or other directions to the site that do not depend on cell service.
Need more information about what to bring to a specific fossil dig site? Send us an email at info@northwestpaleo.org or ask at a meeting.