The excitement of fossil hunting is getting out and enjoying the outdoors for the thrill of the hunt. With that said it also has dangers associated with it such as creepy crawlies and rocks, a lot of rocks either sliding, falling or getting entangled in them. When crawling around rock piles, you may get a limb or leg caught between stones and there she wrote. Extreme caution and awareness should be practiced at all times when out in the field!
The above pictures are some examples of the dangers. Pic#- is a 10-lb. stone that fell Thirty feet from top of the rock wall and the indention it left in the ground. Pic #2- I pick up a stone to look at it and on the other side was its passenger, a red scorpion. Pic #3- I turn over a rock and a Black Widow is on the other side of this stone. Pic #4- I kneel down to inspect a rock and when I stood up I see this Copperhead five feet from where I'm standing!
Seasoned fossil hunters are accustomed to being aware of their surroundings and are usually equipped with tools such as a rock hammer and chisels which can be used as tools for defense. The danger here is when getting to a fossil embedded in stone, the stone has to be split thus glasses or safety goggles should be worn at all times when in the field. Pieces of stone will splinter and can hit any portion the body including the eyes. Also, the hands need to be protected as well because some of that split stone can be very sharp! When turning over flat pieces of shale there can be a guest on the other side such as a scorpion, snake or spider, and in all likelihood venomous. Most fossil hunting environments can be dangerous...self awareness of your surroundings is the key. Furthermore, when hunting rock faces such as road cuts and exposures always be aware of the stone above you no matter how high the stone wall is. Please, try to stay away from the wall and wear a hard hat which is highly recommended...that will protect you from smaller pieces falling off the wall. Most fossils in my experience are found in the piles below the wall due to erosion, but still not an ideal place to hunt fossils. Fossil hunting can be a fun experience and hobby to get you in the great outdoors! Practicing caution and self awareness could earn you some great finds for your collection. Disregard it and you will find yourself spending time in the hospital!