Creek hunting is a great way to search for shark teeth and other fossils in the South Carolina Lowcountry. There’s something exciting about working through a patch of gravel and never knowing what might turn up in the next scoop.
You also don’t need a complicated setup to get started. A handful of inexpensive items can make searching easier, keep you comfortable, and help you get more out of your time in the creek.
Here are six creek-hunting essentials worth bringing along.
1) A Sifter or Plastic Colander
If you're going to hunt creek gravel, this is one piece of gear you don't want to leave at home.
Shark teeth and other fossils can be mixed into gravel, sand and shell material along the creek bottom. A sifter allows you to gather material, wash away the sand and fine sediment, and inspect what remains. And you don't need a fancy sifter.
A basic plastic colander can work surprisingly well for creek hunting. Use your hands to load promising gravel into it, rinse and shake away the finer material, then slowly inspect what's left. The holes or slits need to be small enough to retain the size teeth you're looking for while still allowing sand and fine debris to pass through.
A lightweight plastic colander is inexpensive, easy to carry and a great place to start.
2) Nitrile-Coated Gloves
A good pair of nitrile-coated work gloves is another inexpensive addition to your creek-hunting kit.
Creek hunting often means grabbing handfuls of gravel, moving sticks and reaching into places where you can't always see exactly what you're touching. Along with fossils, you may encounter broken glass, metal, sharp shells and other debris.
Gloves add a layer of protection while still giving you enough dexterity to pick through gravel and grab small shark teeth. Look for a relatively snug-fitting pair rather than bulky work gloves that make handling small finds difficult.
3) A Collection Bag
Once you find a good tooth, you need somewhere secure to put it.
A small collection bag keeps your finds together while leaving your hands free to continue hunting. Mesh bags work particularly well around water because water and loose sediment can drain rather than collecting in the bottom. Look for something that can attach securely to your waist, belt or other gear.
4) Water Shoes or Boots
Creek bottoms can be muddy, uneven and surprisingly slippery. They can also hide sticks, shells, rocks and other objects beneath water that may be too murky to see through.
That makes proper footwear especially important.
A sturdy water shoe can work well in warmer weather and shallow creeks, while boots may offer more protection in mud, cooler water or rougher terrain.
Whatever you choose, prioritize traction, protection and a secure fit.
5) A Headlamp
A headlamp may seem unnecessary for a daytime activity, but it can be incredibly useful in a creek.Lowcountry creeks are often surrounded by trees and vegetation, creating heavily shaded areas even in the middle of the day. Undercut banks and other dark areas can be difficult to inspect without additional light.
A headlamp lets you illuminate those areas while keeping both hands free to sift and search. It's also useful if you're entering or leaving a creek early in the morning or late in the afternoon. It is especially helpful for seeing the "glisten" of shark tooth enamel among all of the wet stones, shells, and other material you will be sifting through.
6) Bug Spray
Spend enough time around a wooded South Carolina creek and this one becomes self-explanatory.
Creeks provide the damp, wooded environment where mosquitoes can be abundant, and walking through vegetation can also expose you to ticks, chiggers, etc.
Keep Your Creek Hunting Kit Simple
You don't need a complicated setup to enjoy creek hunting. A few basic items can make a day in the creek more comfortable and help keep your finds organized!
Just remember that where you hunt matters as much as what you bring. In South Carolina's public waterways, fossil collecting requires a Hobby License, and fossils must be naturally exposed and collected by hand. Digging or using tools to uncover fossils is not permitted. Rules may be different on private property, but always make sure you have the landowner's permission and understand which regulations apply before collecting.
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