Toothie Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Hello, My work is sending me to New Jersey towards late September. This might be a once in a lifetime search, so I want to make the most of it and I'm hoping my fellow members can help. I did some research and wanted to know your thoughts on these places: Big Brook - I love searching for any fossils, but I really want to find a Crow Shark Tooth. I know I'm limited to the number of teeth I can find here. Would this be a good place to search? I know Septmeber isn't ideal, but this is the only time I can get out here. Does the tide vary greaty each day or is it fairly consistent? I've never found a Native American point and I don't care if I can't keep it, I just want to take in-situ photos of them. I've literally been dreaming about finding them a couple of times a week for the past several months. I read that Higbee Beach Loop Trail might be good for that, but again, I'm not sure if September is good. I only have 2, maybe 3 days to search, depending on what my fellow forum brothers and sisters tell me. Any other places that are better than these? Should I avoid these areas? Any help is truly appreciated. I'm not asking for any honey holes or private spots, even though people have shown me places in other states and I've kept those secret for years and I will never tell. Just friendly advice is truly appreciated. I'm going to Maryland too, but I'm all set there. Have a wonderful day! Link to post Share on other sites
Jeffrey P Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Well, you're in luck as far as crow shark teeth. Crow shark teeth are probably the most abundant teeth to find intact in Big Brook and Ramanessin. Goblin teeth are more abundant, but are more often broken or worn. Most crow shark teeth are complete and in good shape. I have found up to eight in a day and can't recall an outing when I didn't find at least one. Keep in mind, they can be very tiny, though big ones are not rare. Far as points go- those are very very rare, so I wouldn't get your hopes up for those. Have a good time.. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
frankh8147 Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 As Jeff said, both Big Brook and Raminessin are good for Shark teeth. Raminessin tends to have more of them though. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Toothie Posted July 31 Author Share Posted July 31 Thank You Jeffrey P & frankh8147. This is great information! One last question... I don't have to only look for Crow Teeth. Is Poricy Park worth it for one of the two days that I will be there? I also don't mind searching at night with a head lamp. Is it safe to do? I've done that in South Carolina by myself and it was fine, but sometimes scary by myself (hearing sounds and envisioning the Jersey Devil). Haha! Some places, there are real dangers though. I want to search as long as I can, given the short amount of time I have there, but I want to be safe too. Thanks again!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Fin Lover Posted July 31 Share Posted July 31 The Jersey Devil comes to South Carolina? I will have to be on the lookout. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Toothie Posted July 31 Author Share Posted July 31 20 minutes ago, Fin Lover said: The Jersey Devil comes to South Carolina? I will have to be on the lookout. You never know their travel range... Haha! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Jeffrey P Posted August 1 Share Posted August 1 On 7/31/2023 at 12:08 PM, Toothie said: Thank You Jeffrey P & frankh8147. This is great information! One last question... I don't have to only look for Crow Teeth. Is Poricy Park worth it for one of the two days that I will be there? I also don't mind searching at night with a head lamp. Is it safe to do? I've done that in South Carolina by myself and it was fine, but sometimes scary by myself (hearing sounds and envisioning the Jersey Devil). Haha! Some places, there are real dangers though. I want to search as long as I can, given the short amount of time I have there, but I want to be safe too. Thanks again!!! Exploring the streams at night is strictly forbidden since these are public parks with set rules. Poricy Park is Navesink Formation which tends to be very poor in shark teeth, but rich in oysters, brachiopods, etc. If shark teeth are your goal, I wouldn't waste time there. In Ramanessin and Big Brook, a variety of shark teeth can be found - crow and goblin shark are by far the most abundant, but mackeral shark and sand tigers are also found though much less common and there are some other teeth, though they are rarer still. Also, you might want to be on the lookout for marine reptile and dinosaur material, far from common, but it does turn up from time to time, plus other fish remains- Enchodus fangs/teeth which are common, plus fish, shark, and ray verts, jaw pieces, etc. Invert finds include crustacean parts (shrimp, lobster, crabs), belemnites, and occasional mollusk shells (bivalves, gastropods, ammonites), internal molds. Good luck! 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Toothie Posted August 2 Author Share Posted August 2 10 hours ago, Jeffrey P said: Exploring the streams at night is strictly forbidden since these are public parks with set rules. Poricy Park is Navesink Formation which tends to be very poor in shark teeth, but rich in oysters, brachiopods, etc. If shark teeth are your goal, I wouldn't waste time there. In Ramanessin and Big Brook, a variety of shark teeth can be found - crow and goblin shark are by far the most abundant, but mackeral shark and sand tigers are also found though much less common and there are some other teeth, though they are rarer still. Also, you might want to be on the lookout for marine reptile and dinosaur material, far from common, but it does turn up from time to time, plus other fish remains- Enchodus fangs/teeth which are common, plus fish, shark, and ray verts, jaw pieces, etc. Invert finds include crustacean parts (shrimp, lobster, crabs), belemnites, and occasional mollusk shells (bivalves, gastropods, ammonites), internal molds. Good luck! Thank you for the information! I'm glad you let me know it is forbidden as I searched online to check the hours of Big Brook Park and others and most websites said they are open 24 hours. I'm always happy when I find other fossils while I'm searching for teeth. I'll post my finds when I get back. Now to just wait until it is time to go... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
bockryan Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 11 hours ago, Toothie said: Thank you for the information! I'm glad you let me know it is forbidden as I searched online to check the hours of Big Brook Park and others and most websites said they are open 24 hours. I'm always happy when I find other fossils while I'm searching for teeth. I'll post my finds when I get back. Now to just wait until it is time to go... It looks like they "close" at 9:00pm or so, so plenty of time to hunt! I've found that Ramanessin is better for shark teeth and trace fossils, while Big Brook has more of belemnites and invertebrates, although that's likely more because of the particular areas I've hunted in each creek. Both are fun locations and include some nice scenery, you should have a good day and some good finds to show for it if you're looking correctly. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Toothie Posted August 2 Author Share Posted August 2 51 minutes ago, bockryan said: It looks like they "close" at 9:00pm or so, so plenty of time to hunt! I've found that Ramanessin is better for shark teeth and trace fossils, while Big Brook has more of belemnites and invertebrates, although that's likely more because of the particular areas I've hunted in each creek. Both are fun locations and include some nice scenery, you should have a good day and some good finds to show for it if you're looking correctly. Thank you for the information!!! Since I'm only there for a short time, I want to hunt as much as I can morning, day, and night, but I also don't want to get in trouble. When I arrive, I'll have to work the first two days, but I will be too excited not to hunt after work. Then, I'll have two full days of hunting. If anyone is free while I am there, it would be cool to meet other forum friends and hunt together. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Masonk Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 Big Brook is definitely good for Crows, plus a whole bunch of other different species. Same with Ramanessin, however my experience is Big Brook has the larger Crow teeth. I've been collecting in that area for a little over 2 months. Link to a thread I started cataloging my finds. I reference where they were located to give you an idea of what's out there. Good luck hunting here and I assume at Calvert (heading there in September myself, on the VA side)! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Toothie Posted August 8 Author Share Posted August 8 6 hours ago, Masonk said: Big Brook is definitely good for Crows, plus a whole bunch of other different species. Same with Ramanessin, however my experience is Big Brook has the larger Crow teeth. I've been collecting in that area for a little over 2 months. Link to a thread I started cataloging my finds. I reference where they were located to give you an idea of what's out there. Good luck hunting here and I assume at Calvert (heading there in September myself, on the VA side)! Thank you for the information!!! Correct. My guide/friend has access to a few entrances to several sections of the cliffs of Calvert County. He also just purchased a jetski for more access. I can't wait to hunt there again. The last time was a little over a year ago and lots of really nice things were found. Thanks again!!! Link to post Share on other sites
TonyC Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 We were just there on Sunday. Pretty crowded but head up stream to the less untouched gravel beds. Sept will be perfect. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet. And bug spray. More for ticks than mosquitoes. Park on Hillsdale Road. Room for 8-10 cars on each side of the road. Park outside of the designated parking area and you will get a ticket. On Sunday we did find Crow, Goblin and Mackerel teeth. We put in about 3 hours of work. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
jpevahouse Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 Since we vacation at Cape May annually I am familiar with Higbee Beach. I've never had much if any luck finding fossils at Higbee Beach. 150 miles north of Higbee Beach Big Brook Nature Preserve is much closer to home, about 10 miles and if you're looking for sharks teeth patience will guarantee success. I'm not much of a shark teeth collector but there are plenty of other types of fossils to be found at Big Brook. There is no excuse to go home empty handed from a day at Big Brook. Good luck, JP Link to post Share on other sites
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