Looking to Place a Cache on an island on my lake

[L0stB0y]

Greetings Cachers,

I have a cabin on Bone Lake in Milltown, WI 54858 and I was wondering about the specific rules around placing a cache here in the state of WI. I have been reading the (Hiding a Cache) and I am just wondering if placing the cache the state owned land is even worth my time to submit. The island is used a lot in the summer months for BBQ’s and beaching. The only signs on the island states that it is a state owned property. DNR has never told anyone that they are not welcome to be on the island and I am looking to place my Cache right near shore.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=45.533336,-92.386793&num=1&t=h&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=23.875,57.630033&ie=UTF8&ll=45.533328,-92.386512&spn=0.001787,0.003707&z=19

I am just wondering if anyone would be kind enough to let me know their thoughts before I start the process. The last thing I want to do is place a cache and anger anyone.

I think that it would be really cool to have a cache here on the island. I haven’t ran across a cache yet on an actual island. Either it’s because they simply aren’t allowed or nobody has thought of placing one around here?

Thanks so much for your time!

L0stB0y and family.

[sandlanders]

If you have been reading Hiding a Cache here on the WGA site, you may have noticed the link to the DNR form 2500-118 that has to be filled out and submitted to the person/office in charge of that property. That is a definite MUST to place a cache on DNR property. To find who is in charge of that island, check with the closest DNR office.

As long as the property is not a state natural area (SNA), which this doesn’t appear to be, and there are no other regulations that apply to the spot you are considering, you should be able to place a cache on that island. I would assume that you would set the terrain at level 5 because it would require a boat (special equipment) to get to. In placing a cache, just consider the amount of use the island gets and hide the cache so that it doesn’t “disappear” frequently.

There are quite a few caches on islands in Wisconsin. Many cachers look for them specifically. Some go in the winter when the ice is solid, so you might want to mention whether or not this particular cache will be safe to search for in the winter.

[rcflyer2242]

Also check the distance from your home cords. If it is more than 100 miles you might have a hard time getting it approved.

[BigJim]

Absolutely! Looks like a great place for a cache. My experience with caches on DNR land is that I get the form back with approval within 2 weeks. Some people have reported never getting it back or waiting a LONG time for it, so your DNR office may handle it differently. I’d wait 2 weeks from sending the form to publish the cache and if you don’t hear back, assume it is O.K. Looking forward to hunting your cache … it could be my first level 5 terrain cache.

All opinions, comments, and useless drivel I post are mine alone and do not reflect the opinions of the WGA BOD.

[sandlanders]

@rcflyer2242 wrote:

Also check the distance from your home cords. If it is more than 100 miles you might have a hard time getting it approved.

But if you have a cabin there and visit often, plus you have cached there frequently, mentioning this could help when you submit for publication. Also, if there is someone close who could do emergency cache maintenance for you, mention that, too. Just don’t place, then go home and not return for a year.

[gotta run]

@L0stB0y wrote:

I haven’t ran across a cache yet on an actual island.

Howdy L0stB0y,

It looks like the nearest island cache to you is about 20 miles away in Minnesota (http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=4e19c253-975b-45e9-bf92-2153689bb2a7), but actually there are a number of island caches in Wisconsin. Here is a bookmark list that I update as I become aware of new ones, so be sure to let me know if you get your cache approved and placed:

http://www.geocaching.com/bookmarks/view.aspx?guid=0fdcfa03-20a4-42ca-b384-af2934ac5888

Regarding the DNR forms, I personally don’t wait for them to come back because they are “notification” forms to the DNR, but there is no harm in waiting a bit if you wish. I get them back most of the time when I’m dealing with my regular DNR contact, but in other regions it’s hit or miss.

Lastly, I would definitely second Sandlanders’ comments about considering the amount of use the island gets. This summer alone, we have hunted for several caches and letterboxes that have been AWOL and I believe it’s in part because the islands are more heavily visited than the cache owners believed. So if the island you have in mind is used a lot for “BBQs and beaching,” anything you hide under a pile of sticks is going to be gone the first time some partiers look for firewood.

On the Left Side of the Road...

[Author]

Posts