Fossils: A Guide to Casual Collecting on National Forests and Grasslands
Conulariids are extinct marine animals that lived from the late Precambrian to the Triassic. This fossil conulariid shows ridges that outline part of the animal’s original pyramid‑shaped structure. (Forest Service photo)
Fossil impression of a trilobite in Manitou Dolomite (Colorado). Trilobites were small seafloor arthropods with hard, segmented bodies. (Forest Service photo)
Ammonites lived in ancient oceans and are commonly found in marine sedimentary rocks around the world. (Forest Service photo)
A fossil tortoise shell found on the Cimarron National Grassland. Fossils of vertebrate animals, such as this tortoise, can only be collected with a permit. (Forest Service photo)
Casual collectors display small fossils collected during a field outing. (Forest Service photo)
Discovering a fossil on a hike can feel like holding a piece of ancient Earth in your hand. On national forests and grasslands, you can collect some fossils without a permit, but only within clear limits that protect these treasures for everyone. This guide explains what you can collect, where you can explore and how to enjoy fossils while following the law. Read on for more information.
At a Glance
Casual Collecting is allowed without a permit on most national forests and grasslands.
Only common invertebrate and plant fossils may be collected.
Vertebrate fossils (bones, teeth) may not be collected.
Only small, nonpowered hand tools may be used.
You may collect up to 25 pounds per day and up to 100 pounds per year.
Digging or splitting rock is only allowed if it creates negligible disturbance.
Fossils from federal lands cannot be sold.
When in doubt, leave it in place and ask a local Forest Service office or museum.
A Privilege and a Responsibility
Finding fossils can be exciting. Casual collecting is a special exception in federal law that allows visitors to collect certain fossils without a permit. This exception exists to let people enjoy learning about the past while still protecting important scientific resources.
Most natural resource collecting on Forest Service lands needs a permit and environmental review. Fossils are different. Casual Collecting has clear rules and definitions to make sure important fossils and other resources are not affected.
Be a Citizen Scientist
If you think you have found a fossil that may be scientifically important, contact your local Forest Service office. Staff paleontologists are excited to help you identify what you've found.
If you want to do more than casual fossil collecting, many museums and universities excavate fossils on national forests and grasslands with permits. Ask them about opportunities to volunteer and become a citizen paleontologist!
Things to Consider
Following the rules for Casual Collecting requires educating yourself about some definitions. Explore, learn, and have fun but make sure you’re well informed.
Some forests and grasslands have local guidance on Casual Collecting, so be sure you check with Forest Service offices about special areas or closures before you collect.
“Open Unless Closed” - Casual Collecting is allowed without a permit on National Forest System lands, except in 1) National Monuments, and 2) areas closed to Casual Collecting through other laws (caves), forest orders, or land use plans.
Fossils of vertebrate animals, such as this tortoise, can only be collected with a permit to a qualified individual.
(Forest Service photo)Paleontological resources (fossils) are not archaeology (artifacts). Casual Collection rules apply only to fossils. Be certain you know the difference.
Collection of vertebrate fossils without a permit is prohibited and subject to penalties. Collection of any fossils beyond the limits of casual collection is also prohibited (e.g. more than reasonable amount, creating noticeable disturbance, for research (museum collections), or for commercial purposes).
More about Forest Service rules for Casual Collecting can be found in 36 CFR 291.11 (Casual Collecting on National Forest System lands) and 36 CFR 291.12 (National Forest System lands closed to Casual Collecting).
Casual Collecting Ethics
If you are unsure what a particular fossil is, a good rule is to leave it undisturbed, take photographs, and seek advice from a professional paleontologist.
Collecting by small groups or pairs is less likely to cause noticeable disturbance to geologic formations or the environment.
Casual Collecting in areas where vertebrate fossils regularly occur is discouraged to prevent unintended consequences of collecting without a permit.
Limit your collection to the surface or loose rock. Active digging should be limited.
Collecting common invertebrate and plant fossils for formal research and scientific collections is not Casual Collecting and is authorized through a permit.
No commercial sale - Paleontological resources collected on National Forest System lands, including common invertebrate and plant fossils subject to Casual Collecting, cannot be sold (only for non-commercial personal use). Sale of fossils from federal land is prohibited by law and subject to penalties.
Definitions
The Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470aaa - 470 aaa-11) defines the following:
Casual Collecting means the collecting of a reasonable amount of common invertebrate and plant paleontological resources for non-commercial personal use, either by surface collection or the use of nonpowered hand tools resulting in only negligible disturbance to the Earth’s surface and other resources.
36 CFR 291.5 Definitions defines the following terms:
Common invertebrate and plant paleontological resources are invertebrate or plant fossils that are of ordinary occurrence and wide-spread distribution. Not all invertebrate and plant paleontological resources are common.
Negligible Disturbance means little or no change to the surface of the land and causing minimal or no effect on other resources.
Non-commercial personal use means uses other than for purchase, sale, financial gain, or research.
Non-powered hand tools mean small tools that are not operated by a motor, engine, or other power source. Limited to small tools that can be easily carried by hand such as rock hammers, trowels, or sieves, but not full-sized shovels or pick axes.
Reasonable Amount means a maximum per calendar year of one-hundred pounds by weight, not to exceed twenty-five pounds per day.
Rules and definitions within 36 CFR 291 constitute the only applicable legal guidance for Casual Collecting on Forest Service land. Rules and definitions for Department of Interior are different.