Newbie hunter putting together a kit, any tips?

[Jukebox]

Hello! First time here.

 

I'm beginning research and planning for a fossil hunting trip in and around Western PA to (hopefully) collect a few samples to start my own collection and use in an interpretive program as part of one of my college classes. I'm struggling to come up with a couple parts of this trip, first and foremost being what I'll need to bring along. I'm hoping to collect in a minimally invasive way, but if straight digging is the way to go I'm more than willing to give it a shot. So far I have;

 

• Osprey Hiking Pack (35 Liter)
• Merrell Hiking boots
• Plastic padded knee pads
• Various bug repellants & sunscreen
• Pocket knife (Benchmade Crooked River)
• Personalized First Aid Kit
• Various notebooks, pens, and pencils
• Duct & Electrical tape
• Two canvas satchels
• Tin foil
• Navigational equipment (GPS locater, compass, paper & electronic maps)

 

Any recommendations for tools or other equipment I might need or want would be much appreciated!

[Darktooth]

Bare minimum you should bring work gloves, safety glasses, a 4lb crack hammer, atleast 1 decent chisel, small pry bar. These will all help make your hunting safer, and be able to remove fossils from matrix. 

5 gallon bucket to carry tools and/ or finds.

[Darktooth]

Oh and a good hat.

I like my Tilly hat, keeps the sun off my shaved head.

[SPrice]

Food and drink...stay hydrated. 

 

If solo in an isolated location, leave your agenda/itinerary with a responsible person. 

 

Best of luck! 

And welcome to the forum!

 

Steve

[Jukebox]

Thanks! I did some shop work in high school so I'll grab my old work gloves and glasses. I'll start looking around for a hammer and chisel online and at the hardware store close to my school as well.

 

The plan is to do this with my older brother on site, as he does nature/plant photography in his off time so he was going to take pictures while I'm poking around. I have a camp stove I can bring for us to make some food while we're out, and I keep a big tank of water in my trunk whenever I head on outdoor trips.

 

Thanks again for the advice! Hopefully in a few weeks I'll have some results to show you all.