Often one side is better than the other, but many people like to keep both halves, in order to make a more complete and interesting display. Getting too close is not only inconsiderate, but risks injury from flying rock bits. To avoid accumulating a lot of weight, some collectors set their specimens aside in small piles as they proceed through a site, and retrieve them on the way back. If you do this, be sure to mark the piles in an obvious way, so that others do not think they have stumbled upon a lucky find. Before leaving a site, be sure any fossils collected are properly packed with plenty of paper, foam, or other soft padding material.
Wrap specimens individually for greatest protection.
Add extra padding around fragile or cracked specimens. Repairing broken specimens with glue while still on the site may help prevent further damage during transport. Flat slabs should be placed vertically in a container instead of piling one atop another, in order to minimize risk of breakage. If not, try to obtain this information from other collectors or books on the site. Fossils are of little scientific value without site data.