Always respect the land you collect on. Be careful to leave no trace of your visit, especially in wild areas. Be a good scientist Most important in terms of the science of collecting, always document carefully the location of the fossils you collect. This is absolutely necessary for any level of understanding about the original organism's environment, historical age and scientific significance. If you are not skilled to extract a certain type of fossil, please do not attempt to remove it on your own.
Some fossils require years of work in the field to be properly excavated without damage.
Seek a professional instead of compromising a valuable paleontological find. Please read the Paleontological Society's Code of Fossil Collecting below, and take it to heart. Fossil collecting is ultimately about understanding our natural heritage and passing that heritage to future generations. To squander that opportunity because of improper fossil collecting methods speaks poorly of ourselves and shows a contempt for that magnificent heritage. So collect with care and responsibility.