Dig Rules

These dig rules are intended to enhance your digging experience and to protect the diggers and the TAAA. For more than ten years, the TAAA has provided you with some of the best and most exceptional dig sites available, and we will continue to do so. It is worth following a few rules to stay on our dig list!

The TAAA is an organized digging association, therefore we must have rules to protect ALL members. Please read the following rules - THEY HAVE CHANGED AS OF 1/1/06. ALL members will be asked to sign these rules before digging at the Cibolo Creek Dig Site. If you are not willing to abide by these rules, there are plenty of other dig sites that have no rules.

Our new site should turn out to be a "once in a lifetime" area to find artifacts that could be very valuable and an upgrade to anyone's collection. We welcome TAAA members that wish to enjoy the company of other like-minded members.

Digging should be a wonderful experience. Come with your friends or meet new friends at our dig sites. I will provide the best opportunity for you to find artifacts. If you stick with us you will build a nice artifact collection as many others have done in the past. The TAAA is going to continue bringing you the very best in dig sites all across Texas as it has done over the past ten years.

The TAAA is seeking serious diggers who are looking to add to their collection and enjoy the experience. Remember, an artifact collection does not happen in one weekend! Good Luck and Happy Hunting...

A note about these guidelines - No one likes rules BUT after doing these digs for several years we have learned that we have to have rules to keep the landowners and other diggers happy. The digs are for your pleasure and we want you to enjoy yourself to the MAX! Most of these guidelines were due to problems we incurred during past digs and are an attempt to correct them. If the digs are profitable we will continue trying to lease ranches and bring you the opportunity to dig exciting new places for years to come! Have a great time and we hope you find your"Artifact of a Lifetime!"

#1. Signing up for digs: Call in and sign up for a dig as late as Thursday evening 8 PM before a dig. If I am not here, leave a message on the recorder. Never show up to a dig without calling (since we might have to call off a dig). Also, if you do not pre-sign up, we will not know if there are enough people to have a dig.

#3. Photographing artifacts agreement: By coming to the digs you are agreeing to have your point/s photographed BEFORE leaving the site. The video camera photos we take during the dig do not count, we need to photograph your artifacts with our still camera for artifact documentation. You are expected to come to our table and show all artifacts before leaving the premises. As a member of the TAAA you agree to let us photograph your artifacts before leaving the site. Please, quit digging in time to have your artifacts photographed before it gets too dark! All artifacts (broken or whole) must be taken to the TAAA table to be inspected and documented. It is your responsibility to bring us your artifacts to photograph. We want to see ALL of what you find. On digs with a large attendance there may be a $20 refundable deposit taken. We like to photograph you holding your points but that is your choice.

#4. Dogs: Each ranch is different but dogs are generally not allowed. In extenuating circumstances (like you are out of state on vacation etc.) your pet might be allowed if kept on a leash and away from the diggers. We cannot be responsible for dog bites or dog fights. Barking dogs will not be tolerated, that is why we leave the city. Some landowners or their neighbors put out poison. Some landowners do not mind dogs on the dig site, so ask.

#7. Half Day Digs: Anyone wanting to dig for a half day hand dig can usually do so. Fees to posted for each site. Each ranch may have a different dig fee according to our contract. Half day hand dig is from open (time varies and will be posted to 1 PM or 1 PM to close). 1/2 Day Backhoe digs are 4 hours.

#8. TAAA members children and grandchildren (6 - 12 years) are allowed at $45 each for ½ day or for a whole day) whether they dig or not (there is a $10 rebate if you prepay for them prior to 8 PM Thursdays before a dig. Children under 6 are not allowed - if you want to know why just ask. Children taking part in back hoe digs pay full price. You are responsible to keep your child in your presence and not let them disturb other diggers. All diggers and children are required to stay at the site unless we have a surface hunt agreement. No children can go near a body of water or swim without their parent or guardian. All children will be required to wear a legal flotation device when swimming. We cannot watch the children, they are your responsibility. At most sites there is heavy equipment running -- you are responsible to keep your children out of the way of this equipment.

#9. Visitors: No Visitors Allowed. Paying diggers only. Campers must stay at designated camp site, no surface hunting allowed. The area may be marked of limits to new diggers coming in for the next days dig. If you have a visitor bring your lunch etc., ask them to meet you at the camp site. If a visitor finds an artifact (this includes those that are putting up campsites for the next day- any non-paying digger) it is the property of the TAAA and must be turned in. Artifacts turned in will be given away at the end of the day to the paying diggers by drawing. We have had problems with this in the past and the only way we know to be fair to everyone. If you want to look around pay the dig fee (before you find an artifact!) We will send you photos of artifacts that come from the dig site upon request.

#10. Release of liability: When entering the property you will be asked to sign a release of liability, whether digging or not -- children included. Please do this as you enter the property, before setting up to camp.

#11. Campers / Camping Fees: There will be camping fees charge at ranches. Each ranch may be different, ask. Some ranches have bunks for a nominal fee. Entry time for campers may be different for different properties, ask. Please do not show up before the designated entry time. If you come into a property early to set up your camp and find an artifact it is the property of the TAAA and must be turned in. Artifacts turned in will be given away at the end of the day to the paying diggers by drawing. If you want to look around pay the ½ day dig fee (before you find an artifact!)

#12. Rain Policy: Digs will be held rain or shine. Bring your rain coat. If we cannot start a morning dig due to rain you will not be charged. Once we start a dig you be charged ½ days dig (one load on the screens or one shovel full). At the lunch break you will be given a chance to stop and be charged only a ½ day. If you chose to continue the afternoon dig and it rains us out you will be charged a full days dig (one load on the screens or one shovel full). There will be no make up time for future digs.

#13. NO Trashing Walls! Hand diggers! Do not cave the walls in on the floor of the dig site. Take only the dirt off the wall that you are willing to shovel out of the way. Keep the floor clean. Wall trashers will not be invited back. Be considerate of your fellow diggers.

#14. HOURS OF THE DIGS: Hand digs: Time of year and Back hoe digs start around 8 AM. No NIGHT DIGGING. Vacate the ranch on Sundays by 6 PM. Have your photos taken, camp packed up and gone 6 PM Sundays.

#16. Alcohol: Some ranches do not allow alcohol consumption, please ask before bringing any on the property. Illegal drugs are not allowed. If you cause a disturbance due to over drinking you will not be invited to future digs with no refunds of dig or membership fees.

#17. Sales of any items are not allowed on digs without permission from the TAAA. Some diggers may want to offer items for sale to help cover the dig expenses. We will consider consignment sales on a percentage basis for your artifacts or products at digs.

#18. No artificial lights allowed on the dig site. There is no night digging allowed unless it is a TAAA run dig. If caught on the site with lights of any kind you will be asked to leave the site with no refund. There will be a $500 dig buy back privilege charged if you want to attend future digs.

#19 HAND DIGGERS: During crowded times you are allowed to dig to your left and right only the length of your arms outstretched. If you put up a shade or protection from the wind or rain and it is bigger than 6 feet wide you must allow the other diggers to share. In other words you only have a right to 6 feet of dirt (side to side) at a time. No Potholing allowed, you are agreeing to stay in the digging boundaries set by the TAAA.

#20. No Hawking the dirt! Hawking the dirt is when a digger follows the backhoe when it is digging out dirt hoping to see a free point as it is being dug or going through already dug dirt. All points that go into the dug dirt are to be put on the screens. Stay on your screens until the dirt is delivered to you or if you are a hand digger stay in your hole. Anyone taking an artifact out of dirt that has been dug to be put on the screens will be asked to return it to the dirt OR there will be a drawing at the end of the day (paying members only) to decide who takes it home.

#22. Commercial digs & Personal Leases: As a condition of membership in TAAA and as a condition of participating in any dig organized by TAAA, I agree to the following: I agree not to lease property for the purpose of digging for artifacts that is located within a 25 mile radius of a TAAA dig site during the time that TAAA is actively operating a dig or 18 months thereafter. I agree not to buy or attempt buy an existing TAAA lease without TAAA's / Bob McWilliams's written permission to do so. This does not preclude hunting leases or leases that were in effect prior to TAAA operating a dig site or leases that are signed after the TAAA has not actively operated at a dig site for a 18 month period.

Violation of these rules will constitute a material breach of this agreement and will subject the violator to damages or other legal relief to which TAAA may be entitled. If legal action is required for TAAA to enforce these rules or to recover damages from a breach of this agreement, the violator will be liable for the attorneys fees of TAAA.

#23. Public Forums - Anyone making false statements about the TAAA on a public forum (such as online chat pages) will lose their TAAA dig privledges without membership or dig fees returned. If you have a problem talk to Bob McWilliams personally. 210-275-5657 Cell

Due to the danger of the heavy equipment used on the dig sites you are agreeing to accept any accidents (and medical costs) or death (and related costs) as your own responsibility and liability as you enter a dig site. If you get in the way of a piece of heavy equipment, it could be your last dig! We have no insurance (liability or medical), it is your total responsibility for you and your children to stay out of the way!

Due to the danger of the heavy equipment used on the dig sites you are agreeing to accept any accidents (and medical costs) or death (and related costs) as your own responsibility and liability as you enter a dig site. If you get in the way of a piece of heavy equipment, it could be your last dig! We have no insurance (liability or medical). It is your total responsibility for you and your children to stay out of the way!

Please be aware that you or any minor that is under your care at the site can be hurt or killed if hit by the equipment or falling tree limbs caused by the equipment . Should your vehicle, tools or artifacts be damaged by the equipment, operator or employee of the TAAA (including dropping or running over an artifact and damaging it), you agree not to hold the TAAA liable for the cost or replacement.

1. ALL screeners are expected to give common courtesy to the others on the screens with you. If you are an aggressive screener you must stay in your area of the screen and please watch your hands, feet, elbows and dirt! Just be courteous. The Golden Rule applies.

As of 11/1/04 Screens will be marked with numbers. The highest number is for aggressive diggers, the lowest number is for begginers and those who cannot or do not want to work at a high rate of speed.

2. How much area on a screen per screener? The dirt in front of you is yours. Slower diggers should push extra dirt to the other diggers. You can pull dirt to you from the pile to your left or right if you have run out of dirt and there is still plenty on the other side. Just be courteous doing it.

4. Distributing the dirt on a screen: If the dirt has not been equally distributed by the machinery on a screen then the screeners with the most dirt on their side should pull the dirt down the screen so all screeners will have approximately the same amount of dirt to screen. If an artifact is pushed into another screeners area then the artifact belongs to the screener whose area it landed.

5. Saving spots on a screen: Assuming the screens are full... Once a screener has claimed a spot on a screen it will remain theirs for the whole day until they leave the screen for good (other than to eat or relieve themselves.) Your fellow diggers are expected to give your spot back when you return. If you are going to be gone for extended period of time just remind your fellow screeners that you will return. Your spot cannot be held for the next day. You cannot save a spot on a screen for the next day. Each day is first come first serve. You can trade spots with another screener if both parties agree. If the screens are not full then you may change tables "due to personality preferences". You cannot change tables to get to more dirt if your table is out (see rule#3), we will bring you some as soon as possible.

6. How many to a screen? There will not be over 6 screeners per screen (On 4’ x 8’ Screens) or 10 screeners (on 5’ x 10’ Screens) . Spaces on screens will not be oversold. If you pay for a screen dig there will be a spot for you.

7. Trading: Hand diggers cannot trade off with screener for their spot. We sell hand digs and screening digs separately. Hand diggers can upgrade to a screen dig. If it is before 12 noon then the price will be the difference between your hand dig cost and the cost of the screen dig. If it is after 12 noon then the price will be the difference between a hand dig and a ½ days screen dig.

8. Hours of dig time: You are paying for 8 hours of screen time. We may take long breaks during the heat of the summer and dig during the cooler hours (8 am to 12 or 1 PM then 3 or 4 PM until 7 or 8 PM). Hand diggers time will be scheduled according to the sun. Those times will be posted on our web site.

9. Equipment Failures: In case a tractor breaks down and you do not get your 8 hours (or something reasonably close) we will give you make up time at another date if you ask. There is no make up time for rain. Remember, if you dig with us very often you are going (in most cases) to get much more than eight hours. Be reasonable with us and we will you!

10. Photos of artifacts: REMEMBER YOU ARE AGREEING TO HAVE YOU & YOUR ARTIFACTS PHOTOGRAPHED BEFORE DARK. As a member of the TAAA you agree to let us publish you and your artifacts in the Texas Cache and on any of our web pages. Bring them over to us to be photographed before it is too dark. We will make sure you get your 8 hours even with the photography. You can go back to sifting after do the photography. We cannot change our time to fit everyone's schedule at the dig, you will have to adapt to ours. We like to photograph our diggers holding thier artifacts, if you do not like to have you photo taken it is not required.

12. NO Sharp Objects on the table. Sharp objects pull holes in our screens. Please use anything flat to push the dirt through the screens. Things like 3 prong scratchers (pull holes in our screens). Use gloves to work the dirt through the screens or a stick. 1"x2"x24" board, garden hoe with the handle cut off or a trowel.

Anyone and everyone is welcome to dig with the TAAA if you are willing to go by our guidelines for digging. Anyone who agrees to the rules and does not comply is subject to losing their membership and dig fees without reimbursement.