[meteorite-list] Slow list, time for study, planning new season and zones of suspect meteorite locations.

[David Freeman]

Dear List;
During these times of slow list correspondence, and during times of 
heavy rains and snows in the western deserts of the U.S., this would be 
an excellent time to be gathering information, making plans for the 
 rapidly approaching meteorite recovery season.
The states of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, 
Oregon, Washington have been receiving rains and snows that will alter 
the surfaces of playa lakes, errosional zones of possible investigation, 
former strewnfields with new errosional effects, sand dunes,  all those 
places you wanted to hunt but didn't have time to investigate with your 
pre trip field home work last season.
Maps, GPS numbers coordinated on your maps, compass check and 
starting/adding to your field log book, order up your new scale cubes to 
replace the ones you misplaced~left next to test rocks,  service that 
field expedition vehicle, study topo maps of places to try ones luck at.

BLM....Bureau of Land Management, Department of the Interior has for 
most areas of the public lands in the west, maps that show surface 
contour, vegetation status, soils types (this one is very handy), a 
wealth of information can be hand for minimal charge. Now's the time to 
contact the BLM for your research maps BEFORE you head afield.  State 
BLM offices can be google searched and there is a BLM link by going to 
my mjwy ebay "about me" page, searching for the "chamber of commerce" 
link for Rock Springs and there is a link there for the Wyoming BLM and 
can be probed for other western states' BLM offices for information.

For those of you in other climes, the opportunity to drive around and 
visit with farmers and gain access now for spring field trips to private 
lands is at hand. Farmers tend to be easier to make contact with as this 
is their slower season and they may be found near the dwellings rather 
than in the back 40 with a tractor. Now is when they appreciate the 
contact. Be sure to educate them to meteorites and your sincerity and 
honesty before you start tramping around knocking down the crops and 
chasing the livestock.  County governments have plat maps that show land 
ownership to make contact with land owners a little easier.

Plenty of research time now, especially those who aren't gearing up for 
the big show coming up soon.   For those lucky dogs....the rest of us 
hope your lust for Tucson catches you behind when the Spring collecting 
season  starts up, you are all caught behind at gathering up your homework.
Hope the dog eats yours,
Best,
Dave Freeman
mjwy