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We’ve been talking about it for years, and now the DNR’s geocaching policy is in effect.
If you haven’t seen it yet, you should visit the DNR’s new Geocaching page on their website.
Here are some highlights of the policy:
– No time limit on geocaches (yea!)
– Geocaches not allowed in State Natural Areas (nothing new here)
– DNR not responsible for damage to the cache
– Geocaches cannot be buried
– No food, knives, weapons, drugs, porn, fireworks or illegal items in caches
– Cache owner can move cache to avoid volunteer trails from developing
– Cache owner must submit DNR Notification form to local DNR property manager.Notice the last point said “notification form” and not “permission form”? This was a VERY big change for the DNR. A permission/permit form would require you to receive written permission for the cache. The DNR realized this could be a big burden on management staff. Subsequently they changed the wording to “notification”.
If you hide a cache on DNR managed lands, you MUST submit the notification form. Visit the DNR website to track down the property manager and send him/her the form. If there is a problem, they will get contact you to remove the cache. If you don’t hear back from them, we can assume the cache is good.
The policy is retroactive. That means that all existing caches on State Owned lands need to have the Notification form filled out and mailed to the property manager. Please check the caches you own, and if on DNR lands, fill out the form and mail it in. The property managers have indicated they want to know where geocaches are on the lands they manage.
What’s new for the approval process?
The Geocaching.com approvers now have to go through the extra step of checking the DNR maps. If it appears a cache is on State Owned lands, we need to know if you’ve submitted the Notification form.
In order to show you’ve made the notification, AND to help spread the word, it will be required that the following paragraph be included in the cache page description:
The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to
of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resouce managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: http://www.wi-geocaching.com/modules.php?name=Wiki&pagename=Hiding%20A%20Cache Including the above language will let everyone know you’ve submitted the notification. The DNR will know if they visit your cache page, and other geocachers will know. Geocachers who are not aware of the policy may see your cache page and be educated about the DNR requirements.
Overall, this is a very easy policy to abide by. The main thing is that you need to fill out the form and submit it to the appropriate staff. The hardest part will be to locate the person in charge of a particular property. If you have any questions on who to call, you can contact the DNR Service Center nearest your cache. The Service Center should be able to point you in the right direction.
Please start bringing your caches into compliance. Any new caches submitted need to be in compliance before they can be approved.
The DNR has been absolutely awesome to work with! They are very open to Geocaching, and have had a very positive attitude. I think this is a great policy, and one that is very easy to live with.
If you haven’t visited the Hiding a cachepage, please do so. We’ve included all the info and links to the DNR’s policy.
So DNR owned land would be what?
Are county parks DNR owned?
Local city parks?@lostby7 wrote:
So DNR owned land would be what?
Are county parks DNR owned?
Local city parks?The short list….
– State Parks
– State Wildlife Areas
– State Forests
Another good link: DNR Managed Lands Interactive Web Mapping
Keep in mind that geocaches are not allowed in State Natural Areas, even if they are privately held: State Natural Areas Map
Thanks for providing this update and official word.
A questions on a slightly different path … what about an EVENT held in a State Park … I assume that one would submit the form then too, even though it’s obvious that they already know your there?
I have a question:
There are probably older caches on DNR land with absentee owners that are unlikely to submit this form. Is this being addressed in any way at this time?
@energysaver wrote:
Thanks for providing this update and official word.
A questions on a slightly different path … what about an EVENT held in a State Park … I assume that one would submit the form then too, even though it’s obvious that they already know your there?
I checked into this about 1 or 2 years ago. The official word was that we DO NOT need permission for every single temp cache. If you’ve obtained permission for the event, then you don’t need individual notifications for each tem cache.
If you’re holding an event w/o temps, then I don’t see why you would need a notification form at all. If the event has temps, then get permission for the whole event. For events I would suggest talking to the manager to seek permission. I not sure the notification form would be the proper means for a large event. The notification form is meant for individual caches.
@LightningBugs Mum wrote:
I have a question:
There are probably older caches on DNR land with absentee owners that are unlikely to submit this form. Is this being addressed in any way at this time?
I’m sure many caches fall into this category. The DNR has the right to remove the cache, if the owner does not submit the notification form. The DNR may remove it, or they may let it be, especially if it’s not causing any problems.
@grousetales wrote:
@LightningBugs Mum wrote:
I have a question:
The DNR has the right to remove the cache, if the owner does not submit the notification form. The DNR may remove it, or they may let it be, especially if it’s not causing any problems.
I think I’m going to contact the DNR about hosting a special geo-event … brat fry, looking for temps, and sale of 200 ammo boxes complete with trinkets, TBs and half filled log books !!!!!!!!
The DNR just shot down my first attempted cache hide with them. Hope others have having better luck.
@uncle_fun wrote:
The DNR just shot down my first attempted cache hide with them. Hope others have having better luck.
Out of curiosity, why did they deny the cache? Geocaching IS allowed unless there are special circumstances for a particular spot, ie dangerous or fragile area.
@grousetales wrote:
Out of curiosity, why did they deny the cache? Geocaching IS allowed unless there are special circumstances for a particular spot, ie dangerous or fragile area.
Does that mean a manager can’t say No to a cache just because they dislike the idea of Geocaching or something that sort? Or should I say that they aren’t suppose to deny caches unless it is a problem with a specific area as you stated?
I wouldn’t go as far to say the “can’t” deny you. Unless there are safety concerns or damage to sensative areas, there shouldn’t be a reason to deny.
We didn’t address possible issues with “because I said so” type denials.
If a cache on DNR land is archived, do we need to contact the manager to let them know they can retire the form?
I’m sure we’ll see very few caches being placed on DNR land now. Any time a governmental agency is involved, it’s rarely a good thing, so I seriously doubt that seeking DNR approval will turn out to be good for Geocaching. I wish we had never approached the DNR for a Policy in the first place. If they found a particular cache and had a problem with it, they would just remove it, thereby affecting only one cache. Now with their so called Policy, Many more of our caches are affected. I’m sure what you’ll see is that a number of DNR land managers won’t be aware of the Policy, won’t want caches placed on their lands or will just be ambivalent about it and we’ll get responses from them that won’t seem very consistent. The problem then is, that there is no real recourse or for us as cachers, so we’ll just have to live by what they say, whether or not it’s per the policy. Let’s learn from this and NOT approach any more governmental agencies about policies for placing caches.
@digital_dan wrote:
I’m sure we’ll see very few caches being placed on DNR land now. Any time a governmental agency is involved, it’s rarely a good thing, so I seriously doubt that seeking DNR approval will turn out to be good for Geocaching. I wish we had never approached the DNR for a Policy in the first place. If they found a particular cache and had a problem with it, they would just remove it, thereby affecting only one cache. Now with their so called Policy, Many more of our caches are affected. I’m sure what you’ll see is that a number of DNR land managers won’t be aware of the Policy, won’t want caches placed on their lands or will just be ambivalent about it and we’ll get responses from them that won’t seem very consistent. The problem then is, that there is no real recourse or for us as cachers, so we’ll just have to live by what they say, whether or not it’s per the policy. Let’s learn from this and NOT approach any more governmental agencies about policies for placing caches.
Oh, yeah… It worked out really well for Minnesota….
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/rules.html
Geocaching is prohibited in Minnesota State Parks. Due to concerns related to natural resource protection, visitor safety, staff workloads and liability, geocaches are not permitted on lands administered by the Minnesota State Park System. Any geocaches found will be considered abandoned property.
Good plan!
…. and I’m sure the Wisconsin DNR never talks to the Minnesota DNR, why would they?
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