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Post by MrP on Jul 29, 2014 19:23:38 GMT -5
We are going to be in South Dakota the beginning of September and wondering where to go. Anybody have good places to hunt?............MrP
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Jul 30, 2014 15:55:53 GMT -5
Fairburn Agates - the original site is public - Don probably knpows everything there is to know about SD
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 30, 2014 17:14:10 GMT -5
Just about anywhere in the south west 1/4 of the state. The original Fairburn area about 13 miles east of the town of Fairburn is pretty well picked over. The Railroad Buttes area is a popular hunting area that still produces agates. Pull down just about any dirt road south and west of Wall Drugs and your chances of finding cuttable material is very good, but don't be disappointed if you fail to find a Fairburn. Plenty of prairie agate, jasper, bubble gum agates and fossils to find.(Bring a dumptruck to haul them away). In the Black Hills gold can still be panned and gems and minerals found. Be careful not to collect on state park land, privately owned land or Indian reservation lands. And especially don't try collecting inside the Badlands State Park. But I'll add that I found my first Fairburn just outside of the park boundry to the south east. Inside of the park you may catch the glint of sun off of glass. you're being watched by Native Americans hired by the Park Service to prevent rocks, artifacts and fossils from being removed from the park. Watch carefully for rattle snakes. I've heard from fiends that they're out in force this year. Also keep an eye out for fresh mountain lion tracks. There's a fairly large herd of buffalo in the Railroad Buttes area. If you come upon them, give them their space. You don't want to get run down by a 2 ton buffalo, and you sure won't outrun them. Another thing to watch out for is thunder storms. If you've driven out on a dirt trail to hunt and see signs of a storm approaching, drive back out to a hard packed gravel road as quickly as possible. That gumbo mud will get the best of 4 WD trucks stuck, and you won't get out until it dries. Take plenty of drinking water with you. It's hot and dry out there, and places to buy drinks are miles apart.
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 30, 2014 17:36:31 GMT -5
Something I forgot to add. If you have a facebook account, send a friend request to Bob Morgan from Rapid City. Tell him east river Don sent you. He knows all of the good hunting spots, and is always looking for an excuse to get out hunting. He's also a member on here that goes by sdgoldpanner, but doesn't get on here very often. He's a heck of a nice guy, but like most of us old goats he's starting to slow down. Anyway, try to link up with him. He even published a book about Fairburn agates.
I'd try to get out there but I'm a 7 hour drive away on the other side of the state. Last time I drove it, I was wasted for the first 2 days of the trip.
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Post by MrP on Jul 30, 2014 20:18:13 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Don.
I am from Minnesota so will be on both sides of the state.
Not sure where you are located but any chance you are around at that time? Sure would like to see that car.........MrP
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Post by jakesrocks on Jul 30, 2014 20:26:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Don. I am from Minnesota so will be on both sides of the state. Not sure where you are located but any chance you are around at that time? Sure would like to see that car.........MrP I'm in the N.E. corner. Aberdeen. Be glad to have you stop by. Let me know when and I'll shoot you my address & phone #. Come with extra space in your car and I'll load you up with some rocks. Just getting the car polished up & detailed for our local car show on the 23rd of August.
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Post by MrP on Jul 31, 2014 12:10:09 GMT -5
I am going to make sure I get that way. I will PM you when we get things figured out......MrP
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