I have to agree with you. Too many times I have read a hint that reads something like…”not on the ground.” With a hard hide and this kind of hint, I have seen too often where these areas have been completely torn up. The geocacher who provides such a vague hint is irresponsible and should be held accountable for the damaged area. A cache check by the owner would reveal the damage being done to the area; this damage is a huge flag that says “Hey maybe I need to either remove the cache or get a better hint on the page.”
Granted the geocachers who tore up the area are directly responsible, the cache owner could have (and should have) lessened the chance of damage being done with a good hint. This is especially true in sensitive areas.
Hey if it’s a lap post hide, don’t bother with the hint; asphalt is pretty forgiving to searching. If the hide is near gardens or other easily damaged areas I think one should consider if their hide will be hard enough to warrant a really good hint or if it’s no-brainer as to its location.
