bgast1
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2010
Posts: 1,076
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Post by bgast1 on Jan 3, 2011 17:53:39 GMT -5
I have only collected at the Lake Michigan beach in Kenosha, Wisconsin. I suppose to really call yourself a rock hound you need to go out and collect some rocks. ;D
Some localities/states are better than others for collecting really cool rocks. ie. Lake Superior agates.
Are all kinds of rocks everywhere at any given location just waiting to be discovered? Say I go out and dig in my backyard or could that be a waste of time?
What about along railroad tracks?
Where do you go to collect rocks and is it bad to pick up a rock and put it in your pocket in a state park that prohibits it?
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Post by texaswoodie on Jan 3, 2011 18:13:54 GMT -5
Lol Bob, You can get your car confiscated and a large fine in some state parks for collecting rocks. Depends on where you are. If there are agates, jaspers and whatnot in your area, your backyard may be a good place. Where I am there are tons of rocks but not one that can be polished. I have to go 100 miles north or south to get to the polishable rocks.
Curt
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bgast1
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2010
Posts: 1,076
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Post by bgast1 on Jan 3, 2011 18:48:51 GMT -5
We live in a very unfriendly rockhounding world. Although many rockhounds are just not that responsible when it comes to collecting. Sort of ruins it for those who want to collect responsibly.
I doubt that my backyard would yield anything worth polishing or even cutting in half.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,472
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Post by Sabre52 on Jan 3, 2011 23:09:14 GMT -5
Now Brian ( beefjello) is the one with fantastic backyard collecting or almost anyone in Arizona, SE California, SW or SE Texas, Oregon and New Mexico. My yard has tons of quartz material for tumbling but almost all in dull earth tones of gray, black, or brown. The perils of living in flint/limestone country. RR track ballast can be good to hunt if they use gravel pit rock from alluvial deposits. Rock yards with decorative rock can be good spots too.....Mel
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Post by jakesrocks on Jan 3, 2011 23:23:56 GMT -5
How far do you live from the lake ? The glaciers spread those laker agates far and wide. They even find a few along the eastern edge of South Dakota. No reason why they can't be found in your own back yard. Just set up a 1/4" mesh screen and start shoveling dirt in it. You might even turn up an arrow or spear head.
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marinedad
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 813
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Post by marinedad on Jan 3, 2011 23:53:09 GMT -5
bgast1, some nice rocks can be found in farm fields or in piles the farmers dump next to the fields. i pick up rocks all the time while detecting old long gone schools and farms. just ask a farmer if you can rockhound before crops are put in, most of the time they have many fields and are glad to shed some rocks. you could always share a few with him.
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Janet
starting to shine!
Member since January 2011
Posts: 32
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Post by Janet on Jan 18, 2011 19:38:26 GMT -5
I really don't know if this is where I would post this but I thought I would start here. I will be visiting Bandon Oregon (going to Bullard beach) I was wondering if anyone could tell me where I might go to search for fossils, petrified wood or any other interesting things found on the beach. Not knowing Oregon very well specific directions would be great. Kind Regards,
Janet
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cindybriggs
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 164
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Post by cindybriggs on Jan 19, 2011 19:28:55 GMT -5
The absolutely best place to rockhound is along road cuts (areas where they are putting in a road) and unpaved county roads. And yes, most farmers and ranchers are willing to let you pick rocks out of their fields.
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Post by 150FromFundy on Jan 19, 2011 21:06:12 GMT -5
Not sue about the topography of your area, but rock cuts along highways can often expose material in veins and outcrops. Obviously, the rural routes are a little less conspicuous.
Rocky streams are also a good place to find exposed material if you have any. Rocky beaches and rocky lakeshores are also good.
Look for abandoned quarries and abandoned mines. Often they are published by agencies or in collecting guides. You may have to make ay trips if there is nothing in your immediate area.
Don`t overlook building material resellers. Often decorative rock salvaged from old buildings is available.
In our area, the local monument and coutertop finishers will leave their scrap out for the picking.
Darryl.
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