› Forums › Geocaching in Wisconsin › General › Caching and the DOT of Wisconsin

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • 05/20/2010 at 11:34 pm #1730164
    kmhiker

      I was informed by a cacher from Brookfield that it is unlawful to place any cache’s on any road or near any road that belongs to the DOT i.e Hwy 45, Hwy 167, Hwy 41 etc. What is the ruling.

      05/21/2010 at 12:16 am #1929451
      Lostby7

        @kmhiker wrote:

        I was informed by a cacher from Brookfield that it is unlawful to place any cache’s on any road or near any road that belongs to the DOT i.e Hwy 45, Hwy 167, Hwy 41 etc. What is the ruling.

        ….define near. The roads easement extends only so far. I had to deal with this on one of my caches….I think I just moved it far enough away for it to be a non-issue.

        05/21/2010 at 12:46 am #1929452
        kmhiker

          On the side of road in a guard rail 10 – 12 Ft from road.

          05/21/2010 at 12:53 am #1929453
          cheezehead

            Ya, that would be Highway right -of -way. By law, grage sale signs and such are not to be in the right-a-way eiher . $50 fine Very rarely enforced. Same with canidate politcal signs. (My dad worked for the DOT for 35+ years. Part of his job as approving signs and drives off the right-a-way.)

            05/21/2010 at 1:03 am #1929454
            kmhiker

              Is there a Statue listed anywhere on the books that cacher’s can go by? Like so far from C/L of road etc? I know that each local town and or county don’t have to much of a problem. Would this also be one of the reasons that we can’t put cache’s at rest stops etc?

              05/21/2010 at 1:23 am #1929455
              cheezehead

                Ya, maybe. somewhere. But it would be in general and not strictly tagaeting geocaches. I send an email to one of the reviewers, or they just might see this thread and give you the info you are looking for.

                05/21/2010 at 2:49 am #1929456
                zuma

                  It is generally allowable to put caches in road right of ways. How close to the road is too close is going to vary. But like in a lot of things, a little common sense should be used. Why put something so close to traffic as to add risk to cachers seeking recreation, or drivers seeking to get somewhere safely?

                  Also, it is good to think of the amount of traffic on the road. For example a recent roadside cache that I visited is GC1ZMRF, WRR17 Otto Road. That cache is probably within 6 feet of the road, but the location poses no real traffic hazards, and was a fun cache to find, and had a great view to boot. But we have all seen caches that make you wonder how in the world a person with a family could make a safe find.

                  The second point to consider is this: Is the cache location worthy of a cache? Is it going to be fun or interesting or educational or present some kind of interesting challenge? Or is just another guardrail to throw in a crappy container that will never be maintained. Why in the world would a person want to spend their time and money finding a boring guardrail cache–when it is still possible to find interesting places for caches. In some cases a guardrail is a great spot for a cache because it shows you something. But more often, that is not the case.

                  Not every guardrail in the state needs a cache. If you are going to put a cache out, look for something interesting to show visitors, not just a boring piece of guardrail that happens to be a legal placement for a cache.

                  zuma

                  (Just my opinion, on the topic and not the views of the WGA or the Board.)

                  06/01/2010 at 9:36 pm #1929457
                  kmhiker

                    Cary –

                    I wish I could tell you it is ok to geocash on WisDOT r/w. Unfortunately those who told you geo-caching is not allowed are correct.

                    In response to your other question distances from centerline to the r/w line vary along the length state/federal highway road corridors.

                    State and federal road r/w lines may be marked with yellow posts or signs demarking the r/w. Anything on the private property side of those lines, drawn from sign to sign would require permission from the individual property owner. Once in a while these posts are missing. Plat sheets for the highway will indicate where the lines are drawn. County offices is a good local source for this info if you need it otherwise region WisDOT offices can provide you with plats of the roads.

                    I hope this answers your questions.

                    I apologize for the late response. I had to be out of the office last week on family business.

                    Sincerely,

                    Jim
                    This is from the horse’s mouth. The way I understand it is 1: Not on any guard rails, ETC. I do see the markers around the state.

                  • Author
                    Posts
                  Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
                  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.