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As we are newbies and just getting supplies together for our first cache placement, we have a question of more experienced placers. If we choose to place on DNR State Parks or Wildlife Areas, does the Wisc. DNR give permission for this? If so what are the proper channels to go thru and is there a DNR contact person that others have used that could be used for a reference or contact person?
Personally, I advocate “don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t do any damage.”
quote:
Originally posted by hotdogs_off_trail:
As we are newbies and just getting supplies together for our first cache placement, we have a question of more experienced placers. If we choose to place on DNR State Parks or Wildlife Areas, does the Wisc. DNR give permission for this? If so what are the proper channels to go thru and is there a DNR contact person that others have used that could be used for a reference or contact person?hotdogs, take a look at my posting over in the “General” section of this forum, where I address this very question.
Funny you should ask!
It seems that one of our group posted that answer just this morning
HERE
Its almost like they were anticipating your question…
Here is the “official” position that I recieved from the DNR. Personally I agree with the don’t ask, don’t tell, tread lightly idea, but heres what is happening:
Hi Mike,
There is no “official stand” on geocaching yet, but I will submit an
issue paper to our state park management team to consider it. I suspect
that we will treat it in the same way we have treated orienteering: no
permanent damage to the natural resources (no paint or nails on trees, no
digging in areas with endangered plants) and it can’t interfere with other
recreational pursuits.
I will recommend that if we allow geocaching, that the caches be
required to be located away from trails and developed recreational
“designated use” areas, not allowed on properties that allow hunting because
the caches would be shot up, and that the park manager would have the final
say on where the cache can be located. We may even restrict it so that only
one cache is located on each state park property. The park manager is best
informed on the pattern of uses and sensitive environmental issues on that
property.
I would hope to have a new policy in place by Memorial Day this year.
Please check back with me if I don’t contact you again by then. Thanks,
Bruce Chevis
Concessions Manager
Wisconsin State Parks
608-264-8994I don’t like the official reply. But as I mentioned in a post elsewhere titled “Sooner or Later…” this potential problem will have to be addressed by Geocachers and it looks like it will have to be sooner rather than later. I am very pleased to see you people take the initiative to gather a group of us. I think a proactive response informing this state official on policies of Geocaching.com regarding caches and our commitment to be sensitive to the environment may go a long way in not being limited to one cache which of course means having to register with them or else be a lawbreaker. Further, it appears that with state budget cuts, many government agencies may be consolidated. Today I heard a recommendation for county parks in SE Wisconsin to be consolidated. This is good but should any one of them formulate a policy on Geocaching, I fear it will carry over to the consolidation. So, it behoves us to be proactive.
Steve Bukosky
Waukesha
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