Florida is a fossil hunter’s paradise. Megalodon sharks disappeared about 2 million years ago, but their huge fossil teeth are still found in Florida, in the streams and rivers around Gainesville and along the Peace River and its tributaries. All you really need to go fossil hunting in the creeks is a pair of boots for walking through the water, and a plastic bag to put the found fossils into. Plus mammoth, mastodon, dire wolf, tapir, horse, camel, whale, dolphin and shark teeth and more. While Pleistocene shells and invertebrate material of roughly the same age are present here as well, late Pleistocene land vertebrate fossils (mammoth, mastodon, saber-tooth cat, tapir, horse, giant armadillo etc.) Brownville Park is a 75 acre county park and campground in Arcadia, Florida located directly on the Peace River. Shark teeth, invertebrates, and plant fossils may be kept by individuals. You will also find plenty of shark teeth, including Megalodones). In a canoe or kayak, you can get to fossil spots most can’t get to. This is the only field trip that has stuck with me into adulthood. All of this means that looking in the places where fossil-bearing layer is exposed can help you find the fossils from the age you’re looking for. After doing some research, we went with Mark Renz of Fossil Expeditions because he's been conducting fossil hunts for years, he's written several books, he's appeared on a couple of TV shows and being a Florida native, he's familiar with the best places to find fossils. Shell Creek Fossil Hunting Shell Creek is considered one of the best places for fossil hunting in the state. Fossil Hunting Opportunities Fossil collecting sites in the northern Florida peninsula are many and varied, but typically require diligent searching on the part of the fossil hunter. Florida's oil fields are depicted by the oil derrick symbols (A). Masks and social distancing are required at all FFH activities. Look for something dark and shiny, especially in places where the creek bends. The remaining map symbols represent other geologically significant features in the state. Peace River Fossil Hunting in Florida, Florida (Miocene/Pleistocene; Ice Age Mammals) Fossil mammal jaw. Different types of limestone are found in different parts of the state. Peace River is another hotspot to hunt fossils in Florida just as long as the water isn’t running too high. You can hunt for fossils by yourself, or take a professionally guided trip.  If you intend to hunt for fossils by yourself, you will need a permit , which cost $5.00. You don’t need a pick and shovel, just a good eye. There are a wealth of sites for both vertebrate and invertebrate fossils from the last 44 million years of earth history at or near (within 50 ft) the surface. Screen sift in shallow twisting & winding creeks and streams To discover a piece of fossil history of mammoths, whales, sharks, camels, horses, ancient cats and much more. Part of the reason these teeth are so abundant is that sharks shed and replace tens of thousands of teeth in their lifetime – one shark might produce and loose 20,000 teeth in 30 years. Fossil Hunting on the Peace River is a popular past time. Go to any boat ramp on the upper to middle Peace and you’ll see fossil hunters. We spent the past month scouting for new Fossil Hunting locations in Florida and found nothing. Never hunt alone, stay clear of mine machinery, and avoid sheer side walls which may be unstable. Did you know Alabama is great for fossil hunting? Great fossils are out there, doing your homework, asking questions and getting yourself out there in likely locations will go a long way to fossil finding success. When we learned Brownville Park in Arcadia offered camping AND fossil hunting, we made our reservation for the last weekend in May of 2019! It helps both you and us to give at least a few days notice before booking your tour but don’t hesitate to give us a try the night before if need be. Many people like to hire a fishing guide to help them find fish; we’re here to help you find the fossil fish! We generally are reaching areas by canoe with boats and equipment we supply but we also can do walk-in tours without a canoe. Scanning almost any shelly looking material anywhere away from the beach will turn up some invertebrate fossils. The Peace River area, for another example, is in west-central Florida. A deposit is not required. Limestone in the Florida Keys consists mainly of fossilized corals. www.floridafossilhunters.com For more information please email us at [email protected] for questions about membership, club field trips, meetings, and other events. The fill material is used for driveways, parking lots, road beds, and beach replenishment. With over 30 years of fossil hunting experience along the east coast he has amassed an impressive collection of fossil finds. The region offers both invertebrate collecting, particularly in quarries and along river banks, and vertebrate fossils in river beds, on beaches and in sinkhole fill material from quarries. You are much less likely to be that lucky today but one can still find smaller teeth, bones and the occasional whale vertebrae in these and other waterways. Others will have access to private locations where the public can’t generally collect, such as a phosphate mine, making things easier or at least exclusive to few if any other people. You can find a plethora of teeth by just walking their beaches or even sifting for them in … Peace River, Florida Peace River is located near Port Charlotte in southwest Florida. Most of the fossils here are found while wading in the water or snorkeling under its surface, and many people will rent a canoe and go along the river for some more mundane recreation while they’re on … Page through the 1958 publication Fossil Mammals of Florida (pdf), you will be amazed at the variety of mammals that were walking around in Florida just 100,000 years ago. Finding a good GENERAL location, like the Peace River or one of the phosphate mines is a start. By Lauren Tjaden. 5. Unlike the fossils of the American Northwest, few Florida fossils are encased in rock. State lands include the bottoms of navigable waterways like rivers, lakes and some streams. Occasionally, vertebrate fossils will turn up in this shelly material but they will be nowhere near as common as invertebrate fossils. For some hunts/times, no quota permit is required. The way to find a site is to have some prior knowledge or do your homework on the general geology of the area in the state you would like to look. Look in the riverbank as well as in the gravel. Please check back close to the scheduled events to verify plans. Our next stop was a location I had discovered fossil hunting over three years ago. He has made significant contributions of unusual fossils to both the New Jersey State Museum and the Florida Museum of Natural History. Florida Fossil Hunters events may change dependent on COVID-19 facility closings. However you don’t need a permit if you want to collect fossilized sharks teeth, shells or plants. A Guide to Metal-Detecting in Florida: The Thrill of the Hunt. BRING : any type of water shoe suitable for walking on the river bottom, bathing suit, hat, sunscreen, bug repellant, small cooler with lunch and drinks, change of clothes for your ride home, gallon zip lock bags for your cell phone – wallet and exciting fossil finds. Ali does, thanks to her trip to McWane. Even easier. Nokomis Beach and Jetty Park are the only two locations for public access. Gardner (Arcadia, FL) The boat ramp at Gardner is one of the best places for fossil hunting if you don’t have a boat. Paleo Discoveries takes people on guided fossil hunting tours to help find fossils from different locations in central Florida including the Peace River. Back to MAIN PAGE If you want to find Megalodon shark teeth, look where the teeth are! NORTH AMERICA. FOSSIL HUNTING PACKAGES! Plus mammoth, mastodon, dire wolf, tapir, horse, camel, whale, dolphin and shark teeth and more. Along the east coast, early Floridians quarried great quantities of a limestone rock called ‘coquina.’ The Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine is built entirely of coquina, and if you look closely at the walls of this fort you can see millions of fossilized sharks teeth. Metal detecting in Florida isn’t all about unearthing gold rings encrusted with diamonds – though that’s an exciting possibility. In the 1950’s and 1960’s it used to be quite common to come across a 2-kg (4.4lb) tooth of an ice age mammoth in the Ichnetucknee or Withlacoochee River. Also, a shovel and sifter of some kind will make your hunting more productive. One of the best Ice Age fossil locations in Florida is the Peace River, where their remains are found on the bottom of the river. The gravel is composed of  phosphate rock, which is highly organic and good for this purpose. Florida is well-known as an excellent location to find fossils. It’s possible to get lucky and hit the jackpot on your first try but usually it requires diligence and effort to find a good site. Along the east coast, early Floridians quarried great quantities of a limestone rock called ‘coquina.’ The Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine is built entirely of coquina, and if you look closely at the … Ever since, we have routinely checked this spot for the missing tooth segment. On that day, I recovered multiple tooth segments to an extinct American Mastodon, a relative to mammoths and elephants. What you’ll really need after you do all your geology homework and river and mine exploration are SPECIFIC locations that produce the fossils you’re looking for. Actually, the state is the best spot to hunt dinosaur remains east of the Mississippi River. Listed below are some locations megalodon teeth have been found. Here are some tips to finding fossils in Florida’s creeks. Paleo Discoveries takes people on guided fossil hunting tours to help find fossils from different locations in central Florida including the Peace River. Application periods begin in early spring. The Peace River washes out this same layer from it’s banks and bottom and in some areas is full of fossils. I have found Megalodon teeth by the lb. In the dry season, (Dec-May) the water is shallow and clear and you can walk in at the ramp and wade up stream and hunt as you walk. Fossil hunt. The books we authored are available in our book store and we have an on-line museum to assist you in identifying your fossil finds. Check out Florida’s fossil history on our Fossil Hunting Tours!! Fossil seashells are common on the banks of rivers, and much of the state’s limestone bedrock is made up of the shells of animals that lived in the shallow seas that once covered Florida. Version 0810 current as of OCT 2008. They are more likely to be found lying loose on the beach or among the gravel of a small stream. Call to Learn More: 772-539-7005 or email – fredmazza at paleodiscoveries dot com . Our guided fossil hunting tours are arranged by reservation on weekends and weekdays all year. Mastodon Tooth Segment recovered in 2017. Fossil hunting is one of those experiences. Due to the dam, you will see downriver, most of the waters are wide with high levels. - Doug Kelly, for VISIT FLORIDA . Venice Beach, Florida. This is a river location, so be careful of weather and current conditions. He has been involved in delivering fossil programs, coordinating fossil expeditions and has been a subject matter expert for fossil exhibits for over 15 years. Phone: 239-368-3252. Florida residents and visitors need a Florida hunting license, (in addition to other required permits) unless they are exempt. You can find the best Florida river locations in the table below: Popular rockhounding rivers in Florida The majority of the above sites are actually suited to most types of rockhounders, including families and children, if that’s a concern. Fred has been an avid student of natural history since the age of five and has applied that knowledge through the years in many ways. Step 1: Materials. Venice, Florida: Venice is well known as the shark tooth capital of the world, and rightfully so. Many people like to hire a fishing guide to help them find fish; we’re here to help you find the fossil fish! Any member not wearing a masked will be asked to wear one or they will have to leave club activities. Please call (772) 539-7005 or email- fredmazza at paleodiscoveries dot com  for more info or visit www.paleodiscoveries.com or http://scottg17.sg-host.com. Most importantly he has been a reliable resource throughout an extensive network of both amateur and professional paleontologists. Peace River Campground close to Arcadia is a good place to start as far as info. You don’t need a pick and shovel, just a good eye. About Brownville Park. Fossil Hunting on the Peace River in Florida If you’re looking for an exciting and adventurous activity for your next trip to Florida, consider doing some good old fashioned fossil hunting. 10 States with Fossil-Hunting Sites for the Public. Casey Key is a great spot to hunt for shark teeth in Florida and the crystal-clear waters that kiss the beach make it even more enjoyable. © 2020 Prehistoric Florida | Powered by Pangaea Biosciences, Even Earth’s largest-ever sharks needed nurseries for their babies, This Ancient Giant Armadillo Is Responsible For Giving Us The Avocado, Great whites may have wiped out the biggest shark that ever lived, Meet the ‘Antarctic king,’ an unlikely fossil from 250 million years ago, Fossil turtle didn’t have a shell yet, but had the first toothless turtle beak, Newly discovered armored dinosaur from Utah reveals intriguing family history, Ancient skull shows early ‘baleen whale’ had teeth. Unlike the fossils of the American Northwest, few Florida fossils are encased in rock. The Peace River is one of the best locations for finding prehistoric fossils of the … US And Canadian Fossil Sites -- Data for FLORIDA. Mr. Follmann and I hiked through the thick grass and dappled light of a Florida forest south of Arcadia off Highway 17, passing a grapefruit tree and crossing a single wooden piling that bridged a ditch on the way to his “office” where he had stashed the supplies we’d need: screens, shovels and pocketed aprons for stashing fossils. Where you choose to look, and your success, is sometimes dependent on your time, abilities and access. The fossil hunting on the Peace River is better in the colder months when the level of the river goes down. A permit to collect vertebrate fossils on state lands can be obtained through the Florida Museum of Natural History. Limestone in the Florida Keys consists mainly of fossilized corals. While there are many excellent sites for fossils in Florida, access to them can also make collecting difficult. There is a $5 fee per year, and the permit holder agrees to report … When fossil or rock hunting in any quarry or open pit mine, caution and common sense should prevail. A day hunting for treasure on a Florida beach is a day well spent. Most of these localities are of marine origin and span the length and width of the state. Other rivers and creeks in central and north Florida are family-friendly as well – check our fossil guide map. iStock. The fossilized remains of large mammals such as saber-toothed cats, giant ground sloths, and cave bears are abundant in Florida’s caves, sinkholes and rivers.
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