RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,522
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Post by RWA3006 on Aug 13, 2023 15:23:31 GMT -5
When I have to carry rocks long distances I use a large internal frame backpack with a five gallon bucket inside it to protect the fabric.
Usually I just lug along a five gallon bucket and a rock hammer.
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Aug 13, 2023 16:21:08 GMT -5
Walking with a 5 gal bucket filled with geodes will be hell for a long distance
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,522
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Post by RWA3006 on Aug 13, 2023 17:23:11 GMT -5
Walking with a 5 gal bucket filled with geodes will be hell for a long distance The one redeeming factor I appreciate about it is it motivates me to leave the leaverites right where they belong.
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Aug 13, 2023 19:46:55 GMT -5
Walking with a 5 gal bucket filled with geodes will be hell for a long distance The one redeeming factor I appreciate about it is it motivates me to leave the leaverites right where they belong. I hear you. The foam roll helps with weight over a period of time. In Trinidad we only have shiddy sandstone and low quality marble and Quartzsite
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RockyBeach
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2023
Posts: 280
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Post by RockyBeach on Aug 13, 2023 23:34:42 GMT -5
maybe two and a box left in the vehicle to dump into at a very productive beach or river walk.
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Post by Mel on Aug 14, 2023 12:47:01 GMT -5
I have a pickup so I generally keep it pretty well stocked for general outings, but when rock hunting I'll carry a backpack with a few essentials on my person. - 2 or 3 good quality buckets - 2.5 gallons from Home Depot with lids are my go-to. Anything bigger will be hell to transport and lids are essential if your rocks have to be in the passenger compartment of your vehicle.
- Hat, long pants, work gloves. Might take a hoodie if weather calls for it.
- Neoprene gloves if I'm going near a lake/river - These save your hands! Also wet wipes & good lotion for after the adventure. Take care of your hands.
- Spray bottle if I'm hunting somewhere dry.
- Water bottle with plenty of ice & beef jerky or nuts for snacking.
- Battery pack for my phone - If you're going to be away from your vehicle a long time, look at a solar one by Anker. A+
- Hammer/pick if going into mountains/rockier areas - I have an Eastwing with a flat head/pick combo. A regular prospectors pick is nice too if you're going to be in hard soil.
- Magnifier may be handy for some (I don't bother)
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Post by velodromed on Aug 24, 2023 14:36:32 GMT -5
A couple tools seem to be missing. Here in Texas I’m always thinking of safety. I’ve run across some rough characters out on the trails as well as some wild dog packs. There have been numerous trail assaults by people and dogs, and since I always have my step daughter with me, I do not take any chances. If we go anywhere outside of our neighborhood park I carry a 6” expandable baton, small pocket switch blade I can reach and activate in seconds, pepper spray and lastly, for the worst possible situation, my 9mm with talon bullets. Having a fused neck and nerve damage, I simply can’t fight like I used to. So these tools are necessary. Texas is an open carry, no license needed state. Hell, I could even legally carry my short sword if so desired, but it’s a bit clunky so stays in the garage. It sucks to be worried about stuff like this but I’d rather be prepared then not.
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Aug 24, 2023 16:00:38 GMT -5
A couple tools seem to be missing. Here in Texas I’m always thinking of safety. I’ve run across some rough characters out on the trails as well as some wild dog packs. There have been numerous trail assaults by people and dogs, and since I always have my step daughter with me, I do not take any chances. If we go anywhere outside of our neighborhood park I carry a 6” expandable baton, small pocket switch blade I can reach and activate in seconds, pepper spray and lastly, for the worst possible situation, my 9mm with talon bullets. Having a fused neck and nerve damage, I simply can’t fight like I used to. So these tools are necessary. Texas is an open carry, no license needed state. Hell, I could even legally carry my short sword if so desired, but it’s a bit clunky so stays in the garage. It sucks to be worried about stuff like this but I’d rather be prepared then not. In life sometimes you gotta handle business. And protecting you and your little comes first, above all else.
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,215
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Post by realrockhound on Aug 24, 2023 18:34:10 GMT -5
All depends on the type of hounding I’m doing. 90% of what I’m doing is exploration. So it just involves a canvas bag, pick and side pouches to hold water and more rocks. Once a deposit is found, the tools are all relative to the process of extraction. If it’s surface collecting, then just a pick and packs. If it’s from a seam, then pick, hammer, chisels, and on occasion a portable roto drill and feather and wedges. If extensive digging on public lands, all the prior plus grub hoe, shovels, pry bar. On private land, prior tools plus gas powered jack hammer and in another case on private land bringing in an excavator. I don’t mess around 😂
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texhex
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rocks 10 - TexHex 2
Member since August 2023
Posts: 149
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Post by texhex on Aug 24, 2023 18:42:25 GMT -5
All depends on the type of hounding I’m doing. 90% of what I’m doing is exploration. So it just involves a canvas bag, pick and side pouches to hold water and more rocks. Once a deposit is found, the tools are all relative to the process of extraction. If it’s surface collecting, then just a pick and packs. If it’s from a seam, then pick, hammer, chisels, and on occasion a portable roto drill and feather and wedges. If extensive digging on public lands, all the prior plus grub hoe, shovels, pry bar. On private land, prior tools plus gas powered jack hammer and in another case on private land bringing in an excavator. I don’t mess around 😂 Sounds like you are 1000% more advanced than me. When I read "excavator", I threw in the towel and raised the white flag.
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texhex
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rocks 10 - TexHex 2
Member since August 2023
Posts: 149
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Post by texhex on Aug 24, 2023 18:49:22 GMT -5
A couple tools seem to be missing. Here in Texas I’m always thinking of safety. I’ve run across some rough characters out on the trails as well as some wild dog packs. There have been numerous trail assaults by people and dogs, and since I always have my step daughter with me, I do not take any chances. If we go anywhere outside of our neighborhood park I carry a 6” expandable baton, small pocket switch blade I can reach and activate in seconds, pepper spray and lastly, for the worst possible situation, my 9mm with talon bullets. Having a fused neck and nerve damage, I simply can’t fight like I used to. So these tools are necessary. Texas is an open carry, no license needed state. Hell, I could even legally carry my short sword if so desired, but it’s a bit clunky so stays in the garage. It sucks to be worried about stuff like this but I’d rather be prepared then not. In life sometimes you gotta handle business. And protecting you and your little comes first, above all else. I understand your concerns, as I also live in Texas, and I live in the country. Gotta protect yourself.
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
Chucking leaverite at tweekers
Member since June 2020
Posts: 4,215
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Post by realrockhound on Aug 24, 2023 19:26:32 GMT -5
All depends on the type of hounding I’m doing. 90% of what I’m doing is exploration. So it just involves a canvas bag, pick and side pouches to hold water and more rocks. Once a deposit is found, the tools are all relative to the process of extraction. If it’s surface collecting, then just a pick and packs. If it’s from a seam, then pick, hammer, chisels, and on occasion a portable roto drill and feather and wedges. If extensive digging on public lands, all the prior plus grub hoe, shovels, pry bar. On private land, prior tools plus gas powered jack hammer and in another case on private land bringing in an excavator. I don’t mess around 😂 Sounds like you are 1000% more advanced than me. When I read "excavator", I threw in the towel and raised the white flag. I’ve been doing this since I was a wee lil tot. 9 times out of 10 all you’ll need is a pick and a bag. Build your tools individually. Then you can customize for what you’re specifically hounding.
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Aug 24, 2023 19:40:24 GMT -5
A couple tools seem to be missing. Here in Texas I’m always thinking of safety. I’ve run across some rough characters out on the trails as well as some wild dog packs. There have been numerous trail assaults by people and dogs, and since I always have my step daughter with me, I do not take any chances. If we go anywhere outside of our neighborhood park I carry a 6” expandable baton, small pocket switch blade I can reach and activate in seconds, pepper spray and lastly, for the worst possible situation, my 9mm with talon bullets. Having a fused neck and nerve damage, I simply can’t fight like I used to. So these tools are necessary. Texas is an open carry, no license needed state. Hell, I could even legally carry my short sword if so desired, but it’s a bit clunky so stays in the garage. It sucks to be worried about stuff like this but I’d rather be prepared then not. I, as well, hound in Texas with my family, so protection is a priority. There was recently a couple murdered at a spot we have hounded 3 times - creeped us out!
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Post by jasoninsd on Aug 24, 2023 20:34:41 GMT -5
A couple tools seem to be missing. Here in Texas I’m always thinking of safety. I’ve run across some rough characters out on the trails as well as some wild dog packs. There have been numerous trail assaults by people and dogs, and since I always have my step daughter with me, I do not take any chances. If we go anywhere outside of our neighborhood park I carry a 6” expandable baton, small pocket switch blade I can reach and activate in seconds, pepper spray and lastly, for the worst possible situation, my 9mm with talon bullets. Having a fused neck and nerve damage, I simply can’t fight like I used to. So these tools are necessary. Texas is an open carry, no license needed state. Hell, I could even legally carry my short sword if so desired, but it’s a bit clunky so stays in the garage. It sucks to be worried about stuff like this but I’d rather be prepared then not. I, as well, hound in Texas with my family, so protection is a priority. There was recently a couple murdered at a spot we have hounded 3 times - creeped us out! Yeah...that would creep me out as well!!
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wargrafix
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2023
Posts: 1,020
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Post by wargrafix on Aug 24, 2023 20:56:41 GMT -5
In Trinidad, we have no wild animal predators.
Human ones? Yup
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texhex
starting to spend too much on rocks
Rocks 10 - TexHex 2
Member since August 2023
Posts: 149
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Post by texhex on Aug 25, 2023 5:40:37 GMT -5
In Trinidad, we have no wild animal predators. Human ones? Yup 2 legged animals are often more dangerous than 4 legged animals.
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skmcconnell361
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 125
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Post by skmcconnell361 on Aug 25, 2023 6:31:54 GMT -5
In Trinidad, we have no wild animal predators. Human ones? Yup 2 legged animals are often more dangerous than 4 legged animals. Sadly true, then they try to make you the criminal when all you done was protect yourself.
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iamchris
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2023
Posts: 722
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Post by iamchris on Aug 25, 2023 8:07:18 GMT -5
Am I reading this correctly? Sounds like lots of members here have had experiences where a firearm was pulled during rockhounding. I'm ready for story time.
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Post by HankRocks on Aug 25, 2023 8:25:45 GMT -5
Am I reading this correctly? Sounds like lots of members here have had experiences where a firearm was pulled during rockhounding. I'm ready for story time. I have rock hunted for over 50 years and I have never had any kind of firearm incident and I do not know anyone who ever has. There is more risk to my health and safety in Houston on the freeways. For some reason weaving in and out of lanes and missing other vehicles by a foot or two while going 20 to 30 mph over the speed limit is somehow entertaining. Henry
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dillonf
fully equipped rock polisher
Hounding and tumbling
Member since February 2022
Posts: 1,622
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Post by dillonf on Aug 25, 2023 19:11:25 GMT -5
I, as well, hound in Texas with my family, so protection is a priority. There was recently a couple murdered at a spot we have hounded 3 times - creeped us out! Yeah...that would creep me out as well!! Here is the incident I was referring too: www.fox7austin.com/news/bodies-found-llano-river-kingsland-double-homicide-texasThe couple were rockhounds and enjoyed metal detecting. They were at a popular spot called The Slabs in Kingsland, TX. My wife daughter and I have been there 3 times and have really enjoyed it there, so this disturbed us. Even though this creeped us out I agree with @hankrocks I don't feel unsafe hounding - for my family it is a time of relaxation and enjoyment where we can immerse ourselves in nature. Yet as velodromed said I go with my wife and young daughter, so I want to make sure my family is safe. We don't worry about our safety, but my job as "papa bear" is to be prepared just in case . . .
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