I wasn't exactly sure where to post this, so forgive me if I put it in the wrong place.

I received a phone call today from one of our local cachers, he was understandably upset. Apparently he had been detained at length by one of our local DNR officers (game warden). He was questioned, searched, vehicle searched, had his ID ran for warrants, etc. He explained what he was doing, explained about geocaching, showed his GPS, etc but the officer acted skeptical and had never heard of geocaching. The cacher even took the officer to the cache and showed him. He was told to leave the area immediately, which he did.

So, here is my question...
With all the work we've done with DNR, state parks, etc... you would think the local game wardens would know about geocaching but obviously that is not the case. What can be done to educate them on the subject so as not to cause unnecessary detainment such as happened today? (This was not in a state park but in an area where many caches are hidden in woods.) The cacher was told by the game warden that he needed written permission to be in the area. Even if written permission is obtained by the cache owner to place caches in an area, a cacher seeking the cache would not have a copy of that permission in his pocket.

Is there a way we can ask for a memo to be sent out to all offices explaining geocaching and the work we've done w/ DNR in state parks, etc?

Dale, maybe some of your contacts @ DNR can help with this or give advice? Do I just need to call up our local office and explain it to them?

Thanks

where were they at?
just curious about the written permission thing.
was hunting going on did he have an orange vest on.

Knowing what cache he was at would go a long way to understanding this. The "written permission" bit just doesn't add up.

Jim

I agree with the others... got to know what cache this is referring to.

Geocaching is banned in Wildlife Management Areas that are on state owned land, so it's possible that it's not a matter of educating a Game Warden.

Gotta know where this is to say more, though...

~erik~

I tried sneaking one in last year and some reviewer busted me and wouldn't publish it!!

I learned my lesson

So, here is my question...
With all the work we've done with DNR, state parks, etc... you would think the local game wardens would know about geocaching but obviously that is not the case. What can be done to educate them on the subject so as not to cause unnecessary detainment such as happened today? (This was not in a state park but in an area where many caches are hidden in woods.) The cacher was told by the game warden that he needed written permission to be in the area. Even if written permission is obtained by the cache owner to place caches in an area, a cacher seeking the cache would not have a copy of that permission in his pocket.

*Is there a way we can ask for a memo to be sent out to all offices explaining geocaching and the work we've done w/ DNR in state parks, etc?

**Dale, maybe some of your contacts @ DNR can help with this or give advice? Do I just need to call up our local office and explain it to them?


*I don't think I could convince any department of the DNR (government) to send out information regarding geocaching to another department(s) of the DNR as this would be an expense in man hours with a "no return".

**Like parks, the WMA and other state owed properties are struggling with financial's. Adding another activity into the properties could be perceived as an expense.

My suggestion would be to find time to meet with management of the property and get their permission. This way they will have a full understanding of our activity. With their permission the "word" can get passed down through all the ranks and finders will not get that bad experience from non-caching game wardens.

There is "in the works" allowing geocaching and other activities into some of the state owned properties that currently does not. It was being tossed around early this year. We would have to buy a pass (like a seasonal park pass) to get into these area's. I need to follow up on that issue.

To get the geo-challenge permitted into the State Parks an outline of the challenge had to be submitted as a proposal and approved by the commissioner, which it was.

The DNR works with a key person with different organizations so projects are organized.
I'm not a SC member of the GGA. The SC organizes most of the monthly meetings and their activities.

Other geocaching organizations has approached state parks to work with them.

Given that information I've backed out as the contact person for the GGA and Steve (Biker64) has stepped in to be that key contact person for the GGA.

quote:

Originally posted by ~erik~:
Geocaching is banned in Wildlife Management Areas that are on state owned land, so it's possible that it's not a matter of educating a Game Warden.

Gotta know where this is to say more, though...

~erik~

gotta map of where they are banned,i'm confused because ive seen caches listed in wma's.
not wanting to open a can of worms i just want to make sure any future caches i place are GTG.
thanks

Can we get a GC number so we all know where the cache is? then we can quit speculating on WMA, State land, county land, or whatever.

quote:

Originally posted by biker64:
Can we get a GC number so we all know where the cache is? then we can quit speculating on WMA, State land, county land, or whatever.

I agree - once we know the cache in question, we can offer our $0.02

I'm guessing (yes- bad thing to do) but it sounds like cache may be on WMA. Keep in mind that this time of year many WMAs around the state hold managed deer hunts (permit only).

quote:

Originally posted by Saf-t-Man:
I agree - once we know the cache in question, we can offer our $0.02

Why do we need to know the GC number? We can offer all kinds of opinions without knowing all the facts. Seems to happen all the time.

just sayin.....

I was just asked about a location in the John's Creek Wildlife Management Area. About 10% of that WMA is on state owned land, so it'd be hard to give a definitive answer in that case. Other's are 100% owned so geocaching is out. Then there are those on 0% state owned land where it's ok. You'd have to go back to GGA meeting notes from the meeting hosted by RustyG at the Charlie Elliott WMA some five or so years ago for more details. Or contact me for a spreadsheet of which WMAs are state owned.

~erik~

Thanks everyone for your replies. I was afraid this would turn into a permission discussion and that was not my question. I simply want to know what can be done to educate the DNR about geocaching on a local level.


The cache in question is NOT located on a WMA although there are caches on at least 2 WMA's in our area and I have hunted caches in other WMA's in the state (sorry Erik )

This was on county-owned (public) property and local officials in our area are all for geocaching in public land so it is not a case of permission. It is a case of an over-zealous game warden who had no clue what geocaching was and detained a cacher for no reason.

I have since talked with my uncle who is a retired game warden and he gave me the name of the local commander so I will be putting in a call to set up a time to meet with him and give them info about geocaching.

Thanks again for your replies.
Meredith

Please let us know how it turns out? Results?

Greetings all!

This is my first post. I am new to geocaching, started in May, but I am not new to WMA's, DNR-WRD. I am not a WRD employee but have been an advocate working with them on the legislative process and doing what little I can to help protect their budget and abilities.

LZ33 alluded to an ongoing process DNR-WRD is working on to develop a plan to manage activities other than hunting on WMA's. They have put together a steering committee which is considering proposals for a system by which bikers, hikers, bird watchers, geocachers, etc may pursue their activities on WMA's, most likely for a fee.

Currently, hunters must purchase a $19 WMA stamp in order to hunt. Perhaps that will be the same price that will be recommended? Yet to be seen.

There has been a moderate amount of push back, primarily from one publisher in Georgia, but all in all I believe hunters are OK with geocaching and other activities taking place on WMA's outside of managed hunts.

As this plan comes forward I hope we remember that much of the state owned WMA lands were purchased with money that came directly from hunters and fishermen license fees.

Welcome aboard OTGHunter; good to have you join us.

Thanks for the timely information. Please keep us up to date as you hear more from your contacts at the WMA.

FWIW, Sonny has recommended Rep. Mark Williams to be the new DNR Commissioner. The appointment will be taken up for approval by the Board this week.

I wouldn't expect this to have much impact on the way Wildlife Resource Division views geocaching but it is noteworthy.