Real Talk!

Recreational geology applies to endless different activities, all of which provide a great excuse for spending time outdoors! Some activities include exploring caves, climbing, collecting fossils or gems, carving stone, prospecting, panning for gold, sightseeing & photographing and studying our mining heritage and/or geological history.

Collecting interesting rocks and minerals is a popular hobby known as rockhounding. Some rockhounds specialize in certain types of rock, minerals, gems, meteorites or fulgurites (stones that form when lightning strikes the ground). Some of us are not as discerning.

I have been attracted to rocks as long as I can remember. As I child I was constantly picking up interesting rocks and making interesting designs in the sand or tucking them into a pocket. I have amassed a substantial collection of rocks that had to come home with me. I’ve moved them countless times. & my collection continues to grow.

I don't recall a whole lot of geology being taught early in school. The little I recall comes from high school science classes that touched on the three types of rock (igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary) and some stuff about the Canadian Shield. Fortunately, I had a neighbor studying geology in university and he introduced me to some wonderful fossil specimens that he’d found on digs. They were a whole lot more interesting than overhead projections of basic geologic time scales.

When I moved to Bancroft (The Mineral Capital of Canada) in the early 90’s, I was introduced to serious rockhounding by some friends. After one short field expedition, I was hooked.

I’d had a wonderfully worn leather duffle bag that I’d held onto for years and it had been crying out for a purpose- it was perfect for my kit. Roughly, the contents include: A rock pick/hammer, a pry bar, some chisels, safety glasses, a compass, a hand lens, a couple of field guides for mineral identification, bug dope, sunscreen, gloves, a hat, a small first aid kit, plastic baggies of various size, a water bottle, some granola bars, a small collection of maps and the Bancroft & District Chamber of Commerce mineral collecting guide books.

Since that first trip, I’ve learned so much and I’ve come to understand collecting as a privilege. There are governing rules to which the amateur collector must adhere. Hobby mineral collecting means that you collect for personal pleasure and you collect for your own personal collection or to swap with other people who have collections.

Basically, if you don’t plan to sell the stuff that you dig out with your hand tools and carry home; you qualify as a hobby collector.

The Central Canadian Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CCFMS) has adopted the following Code of Ethics for its members and I think it’s something that all rockhounds should follow:

Code of Ethics for Rockhounds
1. I will respect both private and public property and will do no collecting on privately owned land without the owner's permission.
2. I will keep informed on all laws, regulations or rules governing collecting on public lands and will observe them.
3. I will, to the best of my ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on which I plan to collect.
4. I will use no firearms or blasting material in collecting areas.
5. I will cause no willful damage to property of any kind - fences, signs, buildings etc.
6. I will leave all gates as found.
7. I will build fires in designated or safe places only, and will be certain they are completely extinguished before leaving the area.
8. I will discard no burning material - matches, cigarettes, etc.
9. I will fill all excavation holes which may be dangerous to livestock. I will not contaminate wells, creeks or other water supply.
10. I will cause no willful damage to collecting material, and will take home only what I can reasonably use.
11. I will leave all collecting areas devoid of litter, regardless of how found.
12. I will co-operate with field trip leaders, and those designated in authority in all collecting areas.
13. I will report to my Club or Federation Officers, or other proper authorities, any deposit of material on public lands which should be protected for the enjoyment of future generations for public educational and scientific purposes.
14. I will appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources.
15. I will observe the "Golden Rule" and will use "Good Outdoor Manners" and will at, all times, conduct myself in a manner which will add to the stature and "Public Image" of rockhounds everywhere.