The archaeology of life and limb:
Had another interesting day this week. On our way out to look at an eroding pueblo we managed to surprise some armed petrified wood hunters and archaeological site looters. One of them attempted to make a run for it, but the other wasn't near his vehicle. We managed to sneak in, get his plate number, and alert the park rangers. After watching them for about an hour the runner returned and we watched them from a hilltop until the rangers arrived.

As they happened to be on an in holding of private land, the landowner was contacted and the county sheriffs dispatched. We had to identify the artifacts they took and went over the maps of site localities which then had with them. It looks pretty likely that this is something they do often. Hopefully they will get prosecuted.