Re: The place of amateurs?

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>On Wed, 18 Jan 1995, Stephane Gautier wrote:
>
>> fields that could be useful. I can mail specimens, exchange them, or 
>>         
>> Stephane Gautier
>> stegau@cam.org
>> Montreal
>> Quebec
>> 
>> 
>
>	One bit of advice here: I think that you should check into the 
>legalities of removing fossil material from the province before offering 
>to mail and/or swap specimens. I don't know what the rules for Quebec
> are, but I DO know that it is illegal to remove fossils (without 
>'governmental' approval) from Alberta. I believe that it 
>carries a hefty fine (it's been a while since I looked at the 
>information, so I'm not sure), and/or a jail term.

        I understand, appreciate and am grateful for your concern,Shaun.
It's my understanding from the local clubs here in Montreal that it is not 
illegal to remove specimens in "normal" areas of Quebec. In provincial parks 
however, like the Bay of Fundy or Migacha (spelling?), it is only allowed to
collect specimens that have fallen from the cliffs by natural erosion. These, 
once in your pocket, are yours to do with as you please.
        Alberta is world-reknown for its richness in dinosaur remains and it
was necessary to impose stern measures to avoid systematic pillage of
what land was not directly protected by the status of "park" or "reserve".
        Unless a special area is discovered, the bulk of Quebec's mother earth 
is a treasure for all to be enjoyed. They use entire beds of brachipods mixed 
with tar and gravel to patch up potholes! (Sorry if any of you are 
tender-hearted
toward brachipods.)

>It is a good idea for any 'amature' collector to know what the 
>legalities are for wherever-it-is that they reside.
>
        Which would lead me to ask if anyone knows where this type of 
information
can be found?

>Apart from that, good luck and have fun.
>
        Thank you!

>Shaun
>
>(wishing that he could get out into the field once in awhile)

        Which was one of the reasons of my first post on Paleonet.

        Cheers,
Stephane Gautier
stegau@cam.org
Montreal
Quebec