Naga-Waukee cache destroyed.

[RangerBoy]

❗ I learned today that a new ranger who didn’t know about geocaching found a cache. He found a tube with no label wrapped in camouflage tape with a cone on top, he thought it might be a bomb so he called the Sheriff’s Department. They investigated and decided not to call the bomb squad, but apparently they sawed it open and said toys and a log book fell out. They then took the container.

I’m not sure which geocache this was but based on the location and description I’m guessing “Geo-Tube”.

I think it would be a good idea to clearly label caches on the outside. I’d hate to see the park supervisors ban caches based on incidents like this. So far they seem to see it has harmless family fun but that attitude could change.

[RangerBoy]

I got a chance to talk with the ranger that found Geo-Tube. Apparently he does know about geocaching, he just thought they were all ammo cans so when he saw the tube he didn’t identify it for what it was. He said there was no sticker or label on the tube. A previous visitor may have removed it.

Also Once the deputies opened it he groaned as it dawned on him it was a cache. He said there was one travel bug in it (the Red Hot Chile Pepper) and he managed to save that. The rest was taken by the Sheriff’s Department.

He will give me the bug to put back into circulation.

Well at least the bomb squad wasn’t called. I think this incident will blow over (PTP) and hopefully not affect caching policy in the county parks.

[CBMB]

Yikes!
Kudos to you for stepping up and talking to them about it! Hopefully that will help deter any further issue with the cache! As for the label…uhmmmm….yeah….label the outside too! I personally would be more worrried about finding an unmarked ammo box in the woods than I would an unmarked plastic tube. But that’s me.
MB

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