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I think the DNR should allow geocaching on public land for free. Not that there might not be some small rules that most could live with. For instance when you buy any license from the dnr they give you a dnr customer number. If they were to say you must put you dnr customer number on the cache like you have to do for an ice shanty on a frozen lake, and traps for trapping,that would be OK. I would rather have that than put my address and/or phone number on it.
I could see were they would have a few spots were they wouldn’t want one placed. But if the argument is that you are disturbing the environment, I would think geocachers have picked up more garbage than harm done.
If they decided to have a “geocaching lic” it should part of the hunting lic system(included in sportsman and conservation patron lic)
“A bad day of hunting is better than a good day at work” DanI’m curious as to where you are coming from? The WI DNR has never released a geocaching policy. There are no dues, fees, or licenses required to geocache on WI DNR land.
There are some policies that were put in place while working with the DNR- I.E.- No caches allowed in SNA’s (State Natural Areas). Beyond this, the WGA’s policies are the only STATE rules regarding geocaching that I am aware of.YET.
I should have said continue to allow geocaching. The things i brought up are only alternatives if they were thinking of not allowing caches on state land. I would preffer to leave it as it is now.
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Originally posted by Cathunter:
I’m curious as to where you are coming from? The WI DNR has never released a geocaching policy. There are no dues, fees, or licenses required to geocache on WI DNR land.
There are some policies that were put in place while working with the DNR- I.E.- No caches allowed in SNA’s (State Natural Areas). Beyond this, the WGA’s policies are the only STATE rules regarding geocaching that I am aware of.YET.
Before the DNR budget was cut and large personnel changeovers took place, our board members had made great progress in working with the DNR to assemble a geocaching policy that both the WGA and the DNR were very happy with. Unfortunately, when the DNR people got shuffled around, the finalization of the policy was placed on infinite hold.
I would rather have no policy than one that hindered my caching in any way. When the time comes, something will happen. It always does. Whether it is good or bad remains to be seen.
This seems like a timely topic. Many of you are too new at geocaching to remember the efforts the WGA made with the DNR.
In July of 2002, kbraband and Myself met with the Director of state parks to discuss geocaching on DNR parklands. We exchanged concerns and possible solutions.
In August 2002, the WGA formed a committee to draft a proposed policy for the DNR to implement. In Jan of 2003 Ken and I met with the State Park top officials in Steven’s point to discuss our proposed policy.
While our policy has been put on the back burner for some time, I’m told the DNR’s version is very similar to the proposed policy the WGA submitted.
I’m sure there will be a lot of kinks to work out but here are a few things you can probably expect.
[*]The DNR wants to know where the caches are placed in their parks. A permit will be issued by the park manager.
[*]Caches already in existance will NOT be grandfathered. They will also need written permission.
[*]No charge for the permit, or so we’ve been told.
[*]Permit is good for one year. Cache must be moved after the end of one year.
[*]Cache needs to be moved once at least once during the year to prevent volunteer trails.
[*]normal rules about inappropriate cache items apply.
[*]caches won’t be allowed in areas that cannot tolerate human traffic or disturbance of the soil.These guidelines are just a taste of what to expect. They would apply to all Wisconsin State Park System properties. Once the DNR impliments the policy, everyone will need written permission to place the cache in State Parks.
While many of us like to sneak under the radar, the fact is, we need to have a good relationship with the DNR. Getting their permission ahead of time will prevent inappropriate caches from tarnishing our sport.
The day is coming….
I can definitely live with those requirements. Those are more than reasonable. That’s the way they should all work in my opinion. Brian and Ken – nice job in your negotations and really paving the way for the Association. What a great relationship you guys are developing.
Good stuff…
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