How It Works
Hunt with the Experts
You get to spend a week hunting for dinosaur bones with guides out in the field!
Keep what you find
You will be able to keep almost everything that you find. In most cases each participant finds several hundred bone fragments, ten or so mostly complete bones and an occasional tooth and claw.
Start something awesome
There aren't many cooler things you can say than "Hey, want to look at my fossil collection? It's a hobby." At least, that's what we would like to think.
Some of our sessions mention Oligocene ranches; Oreodont skulls are relatively common here
This ranch will provide collectors with an excellent opportunity to obtain articulated specimens that they can keep such as Oreodonts and giant tortoises
Click to view current open slots for 2019 and 2020
2019 Sessions
2020 Sessions
2019 Sign Up
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#1
4/20 slots filledChadron, Nebraska
Sun June 16 to Sat June 22
Cretaceous marine and new productive Oligocene ranches in and around the area of Chadron. Excellent in 2017.
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#2
15/20 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun June 23 to Sat June 29
Traditionally a very good Lance formation ranch with abundant triceratops material, plant fossils and petrified wood. One day will be spent on a fantastic 44,000 acre Oligocene ranch south of Newcastle.
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#3
14/20 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun June 30 to Sat July 6
Due to the totally unprecedented discoveries on the this ranch in 2017 this week will be dedicated to the removal of some of the 6+ animals found in 2017.
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#4
23/22 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun July 7 to Sat July 13
This week we will be collecting the same ranch as the previous week, which has proven to be the best ranch that we have ever collected. One day will be spent on the above mentioned Oligocene ranch south of Newcastle.
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#5
21/20 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun July 14 to Sat July 20
Same as above but different sections of the ranches.
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#6
22/20 slots filledSouth/North Dakota
Sun July 21 to Sat July 27
This week will be split between the ranches in and around SD and ND.
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#7
20/20 slots filledGlasgow, Montana
Sun July 28 to Sat August 3
During our last session, we will be on a Judith River formation ranch, North West of Glasgow. Last year was another excellent week of collecting on this physically demanding ranch. For those able to tough it out it always provides excellent fossils. New areas uncollected in past years were investigated this year with very positive results. In addition we are beginning, finally, to understand the nature of the fossil bearing layers in the Valley.
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WE KNOW,
THIS IS
AWESOME
2020 Preseason Sign Up
$250 Discount Per Person
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#1
7/20 slots filledChadron, Nebraska
Sun June 14 to Sat June 20
Staff week with students, no collecting.
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#2
12/20 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun June 21 to Sat June 27
This is a very good Lance formation ranch with abundant Triceratops material, plant fossils, invertebrates and petrified wood. One day will be spent on a massive, brand-new Oligocene ranch south of Newcastle.
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#3
13/20 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun June 28 to Sat July 4
New Oligicene Ranch
This truly superb Oligocene ranch produced exceptional finds in 2019. The discoveries included numerous tortoises, oreodonts, camels, giant pigs, rhinos of all sizes, saber cats, horses, deer, an assortment of other smaller animals, and even a 4 inch duck egg.
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#4
19/22 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun July 5 to Sat July 11
This is an excellent Lance Formation, Cretaceous ranch. It covers over 30,000 acres and has been very productive. It will be covered in one week. In addition, one day will be spent on the above mentioned Oligocene ranch.
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#5
19/20 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun July 12 to Sat July 18
NEW RANCHThis week we will be prospecting on a brand-new Lance formation ranch neighboring the ranch we are collecting during sessions 3 and 4. This property covers an area of 33,000 acres and will be collected during both sessions 5 and 6. We will also prospect on the above referenced Oligocene ranch for one day.
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#6
20/20 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun July 19 to Sat July 25
NEW RANCHThis week we will be prospecting on previously uncollected areas of the above-mentioned ranch. There will also be one day of Oligocene collecting as well.
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#7
20/20 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun July 26 to Sat August 1
NEW RANCHThis week we will be collecting on several brand-new Lance formation ranches, located in the same area. These ranches collectively cover more than 15,000 acres and are totally new to Paleo Prospectors. There will be one day of Oligocene collecting as well.
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WE KNOW,
THIS IS
AWESOME
Our Amazing Team
Meet the people who make Paleo Prospectors possible!
Steve Nicklas
Paleo Prospectors Founder
Rob Sula
Lead Guide
Caitlin Flake
Guide
Michael Payne
Guide
Zack Heck
Guide
What our participants are saying:
"It is so cool that we get to explore and find our own fossils! The fact that I am the first person to ever lay eyes on the fossil is awesome!" - Caitlin Flake
"An unforgettable experience... I can't wait to go back next year!" - Paul Weiler
"I love how we are able to preserve the past. The anticipationn of what we might find keeps us on our toes all the time. Last but not least the bathrooms are phenomenal (thats because you are outside with a 360 degree view of the mountains, plains, and horny toads!)" - Megan Graham
"Taking trips with Paleo Prospectors was a life changer. I look back at these excursions as some of the happiest times of my life." - Robert Peterson
"Once a pile of stuff I found turned out the be a 30 foot Tylosaur. The look on Steves face was priceless!" - Thomas Williams
The following list covers most of what you will need for our time in the field:
- Hat
- Rain Coat
- Camera
- Canteen
- Work Gloves
- Good Hiking Boots & Socks
- Shorts & Long pants
- Knee Pads (optional)
- Light Coat
- Back Pack (large capacity)
- Bug Spray
- Sun Block
- Small First Aid Kit
- Windbreaker
- Wrist Watch
- Personal Rock Hammer (optional)
- Pocket Knife
- Gumption
Hotel Info
*Hotel included in trip cost (double occupancy)
Fly into: Rapid City, South Dakota
Address: 1227 S. Summit Newcastle, Wyoming 82701
Phone Number: 307-746-2724
Website: http://sagemotel.weebly.com/
Notes: Great motel!
Fly into: Rapid City, South Dakota
Address: 300 Oak St. Chadron, NE. 69337
Phone Number: 308-432-5577
Website: http://www.westernerinns.com/
Notes: Great motel!