DNR meeting on 5/3/05

[GrouseTalesParticipant]

On May 3rd, We (Tie, Ken, and I) met with staff from the DNR regarding the DNR’s Geocaching policy.

I’ll start off by saying the DNR folks were very friendly and very easy to work with. They appologized for the amount of time it has taken to complete this policy, and they thanked for us working so closely with them.

Here are some of the items we covered:

• DNR policy is not “official” yet. It is a guideline for the DNR staff, but not being enforced yet.
• Some earlier DNR publications indicated that geocachers have until Sept, 2003 to get permission for existing caches, or, they could be removed by the park managers. THAT DATE IS NOT IN AFFECT! The new day is tenatively September 2005, but that day may be pushed back if we need more time.
• We have obtained copies of the policy and permit form. There is no charge for a permit, they are free. We suggested some wording changes. The DNR will be changing some things and having us review the changes. We won’t be publishing this info until it’s finalized.
• The DNR will be creating a Geocaching page for their website. We will exchange links to each other’s websites.
• The DNR would like a nice, high resolution photo that depicts geocaching, that they can post on their website on this Geocaching page. If you have a nice photo, please forward it to us for consideration. You can email them to me.
• There is still a lot of ground work that needs to be laid before the policy will go into effect.
• The State Natural Areas (SNA’s) will still be off limits to geocaching. All other types of DNR land will be open to Geocaching.
• Permission will be required for all properties. Avenues for obtaining permission may differ based on the type of land. Several different options were discussed.

This is a very brief synopsis of what we discussed. The small details are too many to type in the forums. I’ll plan to bring everyone up to date on this policy at the General Membership meeting on May 21st, 5:00 PM, Lake Wissota State park. (end of the campout’s caching event).

These gentlemen from the DNR are great to work with. We should all be very grateful that our DNR is so open to geocaching. They see this type of activity as vital to staying with the times, and adapting their parks to meet the people’s needs. This policy shouldn’t spoil anyone’s fun

Thank you,

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“There are two kinds of hunting: ordinary hunting and grouse hunting.”
-Aldo Leopold, A sand county Almanac

Brian
WGA President
Grousetales at wi-geocaching dot com
KC9GMW

[This message has been edited by GrouseTales (edited 05-06-2005).]

[FlushingrouseMember]

WTG Brian, Brian, Ken, and the Board!!! Nice to know we’ve got such a team working on things like this to help ensure geocaching opportunities in Wisconsin!!

Thanks gang!!

~Bill
Team Flushingrouse

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[EnergySaverMember]

I have tons of photos … when we started caching I bought a digital and have kept every caching photo we ever took (not sure why), all are on my hard drive at full resolution.

I will shoot some your way. Since I have so many … what are you/they looking for … “well framed” family shots of geocaching OR ones more specific to a DNR-ish setting (ie. shots at State Parks, wildlife, etc.). I would imagine they have plenty of wildlife shots already, so I would think only ones reflecting specific to geocaching “scenes” would apply (assume any of us actually have a picture of a dear WITH a travel bug.

[This message has been edited by EnergySaver (edited 05-07-2005).]

[kbrabandParticipant]

I’m working with the DNR to design the page and write the text that will appear on it. The “ideal” photo will show parents with kids, someone is holding a GPSR, someone is examining the contents of a geocache, their faces are all clearly visible with happy smiles, and they are all standing or kneeling in a Wisconsin state park.

[MiataParticipant]

I sent my favorite from the 2003 WGA camp out at High Cliff State Park.

[Author]

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