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Hello all! I'm looking to do some more fossil hunting this summer and I would love to find a good spot for trilobites. I am in western Maryland, and am willing to travel up to 2 hours. Most of the sites I've searched so far have been largely dominated by brachiopods and crinoids (which are still cool), but I really would love to find other species. If anyone has a good site which has trilobites (or anything else super cool) please let me know!! Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated! PS: I understand wanting to keep your spot secret, so if you don't want to post in this thread, don't hesitate to PM me!

Hi everyone, I want to start by saying I am new to the site, so I apologize if I do something incorrect commit a faux pas. I am a younger gentleman in college living in North Carolina; my father instilled a love for fossils in me from a young age, and as I grew up I would explore beaches and phosphate piles. Even though it is just a hobby, I put a lot into fossil hunting; my interest was always beyond the surface level of "I love shark teeth," and I have done countless hours of research. This brings me to the present day where I call your wisdom and guidance. Unfortunately, due to my age, I missed out on what I would consider the "golden age" for North Carolina fossil hunting. I have come to find that NC once had a lot more fossil sites. Mines have been shut down, sites overgrown, and closure to the public; it pains me greatly that I was only able to visit a phosphate quarry once. I know there are options, like joining the fossil club; I plan to do this when I can, my only problem is that I am short on funds and college absorbs a lot of time thereby making my schedule rigid during fall and spring (I am pretty sure this is when most of their events are held but I might be mistaken.) I guess the purpose of my post is to ask for thoughts and guidance from those far more knowledgeable than me; what should I do? I really love this hobby and while the Aurora Museum spoils and the rare beach finds there's nothing like expanding your passion to new heights. I know that giving locations is also a bit of a challenge given commercial hunters, but if there is any guidance you all can give me there that would also be great; I am open to any formation, while I don't have any kind of boat I am still interested to take note of those kinds of locations. Thank you all.

My wife's family reunion is taking place in Newport News, Va. next weekend. As always, when I travel, I like collecting a little bit of the "past" wherever I go. It sounds like the James and York rivers can provide some collecting possibilities. My concern is not to trespass. If anyone can enlighten me on how the shorelines of these rivers are dealt with, it will hopefully keep me out of trouble!!!! I did find this statement: In Virginia, the rivers, bays, creeks, ocean shores and their bottomlands are owned by the state and are legally presumed to be public lands unless they are proven to be subject to a special grant that predates commonwealth law. My understanding is that there are tides in these rivers. So is use by the public to high tide mark or just where the water is? In the past, when going on these family get-togethers, Forum members have always offered very helpful tidbits of advice that allow me to have success in the short few hours I have to explore. I am open to any suggestions regarding this trip too. Mike