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I have placed a cache in an experimental forest that is state land. I did a quick google search for the forest, and quickly found the DNR page with contact info. A simple email to the director of that forest, and he mailed me a permit to sign. It basically tells them where it is, coords, and your contact info. Within that permit, they do state I have to move the cache once every 12 months to comply, to avoid beaten paths.
I found they are already atuned to geocaching and are more than willing to help more people enjoy their work. (visiting the forest they manage)
To my amazment, the permit was free! As we see hunting and fishing licenses go up every year, I was surprised there was no cost.
So, if you want to place one, just find the info page of the slated park/forest/wildlife area and contact that person. Obviously some areas are going to be off limits, understandably, but ask, you may be surprised.
While this is great news in your case, I wonder what it means in the bigger picture picture of things?
The park could have implemented a policy based off what that particular park manager knows?
Perhaps all the parks now are using a policy that was implemented without finalizing that policy with the board members who had been working with the DNR?
The big question at this point would be whether all park managers have been directed to work with geocachers or is it at their option?
Well, I hope it’s department wide / state wide. If you’d like to contact the person I got the permit from, here is the page that outlines the land, with his contact info on the very bottom. http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/EF/coulee/
The cache page is located here (click here)
I been working on a cache to go on DNR land and today I tried to find out who the land manager was. Needless to say I called one place, sent to another, referred to a guy to call, who when I talked to him said that they don’t allow “anything” on DNR lands but he will look into it.
At this point I was like great!!!
To my surprise he called back an hour latter and told me that apparently they do have a policy to allow geocaching on DNR lands and that it up to the actual land manager to give approval. Not only that, he also looked up the person who I actually had to contact.
I was quite surprised by the service and how not only did I get a call back but the fact he also found who I needed to talk to as well.
Now only if the guy I need to call now was not on leave.
another point for the DNR
[This message has been edited by pcfrog (edited 03-31-2006).]
It’s good to see that the DNR continues to work toward making geocaching part of the “every day world” of possibilites on their land. If we’re sharing success/gratitude stories, I’m still glad to see that the state park in my area is still listing “geocaching” as one of the activities in the park, along with fishing, hiking, biking, skiing, etc … including a link to the caches that are in the park … http://www.harringtonbeach.org/
I have an interesting situation for my 7 caches here in Two Rivers. The Exec. Dir. of Woodland Dunes came to me and asked if I would like to put caches on their property. The problem was that it is listed as a State Natural Area….and we all know what THAT means. Woodland Dunes is 3/4 privately owned though and that is what allowed us to prevail.
With help from our awesome Approver “Tie”, a lot of patients on all our parts, a talk before the Dunes Board and 2 months of waiting, I finally got the OK. I too have stipulations I need to follow, but it makes the hides all that much more challenging for me as the Cache hider. Basically, I and other volunteers of the Dunes, monitor the caches, they are to be placed no greater than about 5ft from the trail with no bushwhacking. Luckly for me, there are many great places to sneak in a hide, that I even have some caches well hide ON the trail
As each of us, as well as the WGA, works bit by bit with the DNR, PROVING we can do this without distruction of property, I see a bright future for cache placement on DNR lands.
Anne
Great to hear success stories!
pcfrog, yea, finding the exact person is a challenge … I’ve asked many questions to the DNR, and its a very slow turn-around by the time you wait for it to sift to the right person, and then for them to be at there desk can be another long wait. Just lately I asked about fishing yo-yos, if they are legal or not, what are they considered … trot lines or?
Still no answer … and he was suppose to be back in the office on the 27th … hmmm.
(a yoyo is a automatic fishing device, pretty slick for cats, you can see them on ebay … search for ” Yo Yo AUTOMATIC MECHANICAL FISHING ” I’ve read some articles on them and think it would fun to try.)
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