Fossils and Artifacts

Most everywhere, it is OK to collect fossils you find on the surface on private land, so long as you have the permission of the landowner. It is also usually OK collect artifacts from the surface with the permission of the landowner, so long as they are not associated with burials, ancient or modern, in any way (if in doubt, don't disturb them). There are exceptions and variations, and some states are more restrictive regarding digging and/or selling artifacts and certain fossil types, so check on that with your state. In some places, land "owners" also do not actually own all rights to "their" land under a fee simple title, so that would affect who can give you permission to remove material.

If you dig, however, there other considerations you'll have to look into:

1. who owns the subsurface rights (no matter which state, this could be a government, a corporation or a private entity other than a landowner)?
2. what state and local regulations and restrictions may apply to excavating and/or mining (often not allowed without going through a permit process, and in some cases not allowed at all due to zoning and other laws)?
3. what state regulations apply to subsurface fossil and artifact finds?

In my area, you technically can't dig a hole for a small pond without a permit. Many people ignore permit requirements, but it just takes a neighbor with a cell phone irritated by some dust, noise, mess that disturbs their view (and possibly property values), anything that might seem to threaten their water quality, or just their dog barking at you (not to mention an alert passing inspector) to complicate things. If it is your own property, check your title and deed at your county courthouse for any subsurface ownership, along with your county land use department and state mining dept. for any other considerations. There most likely won't be any issues with a little manual shovel work, but if you are going to do more than that…

North Dakota and Montana it is legal to hunt for them too,with permission from landowner......Oregon it is not legal for any artifacts hunting of any kind...But can hunt fossils with a permit..
I hunt fossils in Montana a lot,if you find a dino skeleton or anything to that effect,it has to be turned in to the state or local University .....

As said,different rules and regs in every state...Best to "Google" the information or hit a library or courthouse for the real deal information...I'm sure you could collect,but the selling part might have a "Claus"...Good luck..