"On a positive note, the updated rules adopted in November of 2008 cleared some things up for me. I had several sites I avoided collecting at due to the sites listed under collecting seasons. However, as it turns out those sites were listed as rockhounding using class 1 or class 2 prospecting tools. Casual scouting activities, and collecting rocks not in the water or on the bank of the water should be acceptable in most cases:) Just make sure you don't have any tools with you:)

Thanks,

Aaron"