Montana, also known as "Big Sky Country," is famous for cowboys, Indians and mountains. However, you might not know that Montana is also a popular hunting ground for fossils. Over the years, many fossils, including the world's first Tyrannosaurus rex and the first baby dinosaur bones in North America, have been discovered there. With miles of undisturbed land, Montana is rife with prehistoric remnants, large and small, ready to be discovered. With the right information, you can unearth your own fossils in the Montana countryside.
Locate and obtain information from several guided, fossil-digging tours. A guided tour is the easiest option. It enables you to dig only in authorized areas, to avoid the need for permits, and keeps you from wandering onto privately owned land. You can check out some of the many Montana digs available at websites for PaleoAdventures, Judith River Dinosaur Institute and Two Medicine Dinosaur Center.
Determine the length of the dig you want to go on. Digs are available in lengths of a morning or afternoon all the way up to 10-day packages. Take into consideration the ages and physical abilities of the members of your party. Spending all day in the hot Montana sun and blowing wind may be more taxing than you anticipate.
Choose the time of year you want to go. While most digs occur from the late spring into early fall, the temperatures in the hottest part of the year may be as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more. In an unshaded dig area, heatstroke can occur quickly.
Check the prices of the various tours, and find one that is in your budget. Find out whether tools and needed materials are included in the price of the dig and whether meals are included or it is up to you to provide your own food.
Book early once you know which package you prefer. Digging for fossils in Montana is a popular pastime, and spots fill up early.
Contact your dig company for a list of necessities and optional items to bring.
Gather your group together and head out to Big Sky Country to find as many fossils as possible.
