DNR and Geocaching

[rpaske]

Any one else see this?
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/other/geocache.html

[cacheseekers]

That’s very interesting. The one line that sticks out to me is “Be responsible for your cache. There is no time limit for placement of the cache, but it is recommended the cache be monitored at least quarterly.”

The no time limit is a surprise to me. I thought orginally a 1 year time limit was going to be required.

Glad to see some offical posting on Geocaching 🙂

[Team Hemisphere Dancer]

Is this link going to be posted on this site so we all have a quick access to it?

[greyhounder]

@Team Hemisphere Dancer wrote:

Is this link going to be posted on this site so we all have a quick access to it?

Why, yes!
http://wi-geocaching.com/modules.php?name=Wiki&pagename=Hiding%20A%20Cache

Bec

Ah, well, it doesn’t want to link — go to the left of this screen and click on the Hiding a Cache link.

[shine_like_a_star]

Looks good to me! I’m glad to see the cooperation between the DNR and WGA. 🙂

-katy-

[Jeremy]

Thanks for pointing this out Randy. We knew this was coming, but we were kind of “playing chicken” with the DNR waiting for them to post this information on their site before we made some sort of official announcement on the WGA site.

They basically copied our Hiding A Cache page (with our permission), throwing in some of the nice geocaching pictures provided by our members. (They also threw in a couple nice spelling mistakes, like “Geochaching” and “Associatio”. :))

Note that the geocache notification form you need to submit to the DNR is available from both the Hiding A Cache page here and from the WDNR geocaching page.

Now that the cat is out of the bag, I’m assuming our WI cache approvers are going to require proof that the DNR was notified for all new caches placed on state owned land? I would assume you would do this via a reviewer note, indicating who which land manager approved the placement?

[Lostby7]

Are these new rules retroactive?

Also, I’m lazy so no more on state land for me…

[EnergySaver]

Thanks for pointing this out.
I’ve submitted the forms for my 2 caches to my local ranger contact and have updated the cache listing text to indicated so.

[Jeremy]

@Lostby7 wrote:

Are these new rules retroactive?

@EnergySaver wrote:

I’ve submitted the forms for my 2 caches to my local ranger contact and have updated the cache listing text to indicated so.

These rules apply only to new caches placed on state land. There is no requirement that you fill out the form for existing caches, although it would be great if you did.

BOD members who talked to the DNR, did it seem like they would ever require permission for existing caches sometime in the future (I’m guessing not)?

(And Ron, if I had any caches on land managed by that scary Krueger guy, I would have submitted a form right away too. ;))

[shine_like_a_star]

I have a cache I want to place in the Brule River State Forest, so I’m working on filling out this form. Do I have to wait to be contacted to place the cache? Or is it more like I submit the listing to the DNR, hide the cache, and they’ll contact me only if something’s wrong with my idea? How long should it take to hear back? 😕

-katy-

[Buy_The_Tie]

@shine_like_a_star wrote:

I have a cache I want to place in the Brule River State Forest, so I’m working on filling out this form. Do I have to wait to be contacted to place the cache? Or is it more like I submit the listing to the DNR, hide the cache, and they’ll contact me only if something’s wrong with my idea? How long should it take to hear back? 😕

-katy-

Some good questions…..

First off, this is a brand new policy, and the bugs are still being worked out. So, what is true today, may not be in the future.

Today… as I understand it…

The notification form is just that… a notification form. The DNR wants to know where the geocaches are and who the geocachers are who placed them in case there is trouble.

Depending on the type of property will likely determine how much the property manager actually cares about the geocaches. A property manager for very popular state park will be much more concerned about a geocache than the manager for a small hunting area. So the DNR wrote their policy so that if a land manager doesn’t want to worry much about the geocaches, they don’t have to.

Practically speaking, if the property doesn’t have an office or other manned facility, place the cache, then submit the form. If there is a manned facility on the property, it would be a really good idea to stop in when they are open and let somebody know ahead of time what you are up to.

Keep in mind, caches on all DNR managed properties are going to require verbage on the cache page that the form was submitted, and also who the form was submitted to.

[Uncle_Fun]

I have been struggling with the property manager in Forest county on a cache all week. He doesn’t like the idea of geocaches on DNR property. He didn’t seem to know the process real well. And is now emailing others for input. If you are looking for a quick turn around on caches in some of these areas don’t be. It took more than a half dozen calls just to find out who the property manager was.

I am sure it will get ironed out eventually.

Uncle_Fun

[GeoPink]

@Jeremy wrote:

BOD members who talked to the DNR, did it seem like they would ever require permission for existing caches sometime in the future (I’m guessing not)?

One previous version of the Notification form had asked that ALL caches on state land be placed according to the new policy by Sept 1, 2006; however that no longer appears to be the case. I was intending to bring mine up to policy anyway and think it would be a great idea if we voluntarily took that step. All it takes is a few minutes of researshing who your land manager is and filing the form.

[Author]

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