Virtual Caches in National Parks

[wzbt03]

I heard from some geocachers out east that the NPS has officially banned even Virtual caches in National Parks. Has anyone else heard this and is it true? If it is, it seems really foolish as they are no different then maps to certain areas.

[GrouseTales]

I heard similar rumors, but don’t know it it’s true. I really don’t see how someone walking in a park with a GPS in their hand is different then any other person walking the the park.

Word of advise: If on Federal lands and your asked by a Ranger what your doing, never say your geocaching. Geocaching is usually defined as placing, hunting, or doing anything related to geocaching. A few months ago some cachers received a citation for “looking” for a cache that turned out to be on NPS managed land.

[GeoPink]

Is it even possible for the NPS to ban Virtuals? What, don’t I, John Q. GPSOwner, have the ability/right to carry and use my GPS unit in a NPS Park? Can they really limit our ability to use it to walk/hike a certain route or find a certain monument? Will the Department of Whatever revoke GC.com’s ability to post coordinates located within a National Park?

I think not…

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later,
Team GeoPink
Co-conspirators to make the world a better place

[admin]

You’d think we have that kind of freedom, but I think dubya has Ashcroft working on that right now.

[sbukosky]

What’s Next?… I don’t appreciate that comment and think it is inappropriate for here. The President has nothing to do this this nor does Ashcroft. It is a land manager’s decision that we as an organization exist to educate and urge to favor our hobby.

My response to the topic is that I have seen a post on Geocaching.com where a GPS was confiscated by park employees where geocaching was banned. I think this is a national issue, and needs to be addressed nationally. It might eventually lead to a lawsuit in which case some money from geocaching.com and GPS manufacturers would be needed.

Many hobby organization end up with legal defense funds to protect their rights. Some that I have been involved with are the American Motorcycle Association, Amateur Radio Relay League, Experimetal Aircraft Association and the NRA. Geocaching.com is going to have to consider that course of action.

[Author]

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