Unlike other field trips on the market today, you will be able to keep almost everything that you find (up to a maximum of $4,000.00). Only individual bones valued at over $1,500.00 and articulated bones are excluded. In all cases, however, if you cannot keep your find, you will receive a finders fee of three percent after the final sale of the object. In most cases each participant finds several hundred bone fragments, ten or so mostly complete bones and an occasional tooth and claw.
As a result of the high number of requests for information for our upcoming field season, we have structured our time in the field to accommodate as many participants as possible without a reduction in the quality of the experience. In order to achieve this goal we will be in the field for seven separate, week-long sessions:
Mr. Sula's Femur (large Edmontosaurus)
- Session #1. The week of June 1st to June 7th - Nebraska
- Session #2. The week of June 8th to June 14th - Wyoming
- Session #3. The week of June 15th to June 21st - South Dakota
NOTE: The week of June 22nd to June 28th is STAFF ONLY!
- Session #4. The week of June 29th to July 5th - South Dakota
- Session #5. The week of July 6th to July 12th - South Dakota
- Session #6. The week of July 13th to July 19th - South Dakota
- Session #7. The week of July 20th to July 27th - Montana
(See detail descriptions below)
Each session will be limited to the first 15 applicants (except for Session #7 in Montana which will be limited to 12). Sessions will be booked upon our receipt of your confirmation and deposit. The ranches will be divided into collecting zones, one for each session so that everyone will have the opportunity to collect fossils from prime areas.
Please note that ALL participants who fly in for their trip will be required to rent a vehicle and get themselves back and forth from the airport. Individuals that use their vehicle to get back and forth from the collecting areas will receive a $300.00 discount. After arrival and check in on Sunday, collection will begin on the first Monday morning of each session and end each Friday evening. Wake up call will be at 6:30, breakfast at 7:00 and we will leave for the field by 8:15 AM. Lunch will be provided in the field and we will return each evening in time for dinner.
Detail Session Information:
Session #1
During Session #1 we will be collecting on two different ranches, one of which contains both Oligocene (c.35 million years old) and Middle Cretaceous (c.90 million years old) fossils; the second ranch only contains Oligocene fossil material. In this region Oligocene fossils are in the White River Formation and are extremely abundant – terrestrial fossils of land tortoises and oreodons dominate. The fossils in the Middle Cretaceous Pierre Shale are less common but far more spectacular, articulated specimens of fish and mosasaurs are commonly found. During this session we will stay in the Westerner Motel in Chadron, Nebraska. This session is recommended for families collecting for the first time as well as seasoned veterans.
We will be staying at the Westerner Motel (308-432-5577) in Chadron, Nebraska and eating at a wonderful Chinese restaurant beside the motel. (Fly to Rapid City, South Dakota)
Session #2
During Session #2 we will be located in Newcastle, Wyoming. The ranch is located about 25 miles to the southwest of town and is in the Lance Creek Formation. It has very well preserved but somewhat hard to find dinosaur material; however, it also has ABUNDANT museum quality plant fossils. This ranch is a must for any plant fossil collector. During the week we will spend 2 days in the dinosaur beds and 3 days collecting plant fossils.
We will be staying at the Auto Inn in Newcastle, Wyoming. (Fly to Rapid City, South Dakota)
Sessions #3, 4, 5 and 6 - NEW RANCH ALERT
During these weeks we will be staying at the Tipperary Lodge Motel in Buffalo, South Dakota. Fantastic meals will be served at one of our ranchers homes – the food is to die for. Do not plan to lose weight during these sessions! We will be collecting on four Harding County ranches, all of which are in the Hell Creek Formation. Three of the four are new to Paleo Prospectors. They have been collected before, but not in recent years. They are all close to town and over the years have reportedly produced large numbers of quality fossils. The ranches have many good collecting areas and are excellent for first time collectors as well as more experienced participants. Trail rides will be offered for the first time next year for interested parties during this two week period for a fee of $50.00 per person for a 4 hour trip.
We will be staying at the Tipperary Lodge Motel (605-375-3721) in Buffalo, South Dakota. (Fly to Rapid City, South Dakota)
Session #7
This week will be spent on our most beautiful ranch, located just north of Fort Peck Lake in northeastern Montana. This ranch is surrounded by the largest game reserve in the continental US and there is a great abundance of wildlife. The ranch produces a disproportionate amount of theropod fossil material. Last year the theropod finds included a 4 inch tooth (Rex) and two T-Rex metatarsals as well as numerous smaller teeth, bones and a few claws. The ranch also has a rich layer of the Bear Paw Formation which contains abundant marine fossils. During this session we will stay at the ranch in historic (restored) bunk houses and eat our meals in the main house. The food is superb and abundant (you can probably tell I like food as much as fossils!). This ranch is very isolated and you must bring a 4 wheel drive vehicle. It is recommended for all participants, beginners and veterans alike.
We will be staying on the site at a private ranch. (Fly to Billings, Montana)
