Killerb

I've never met the OP, but he's from my general area. Before this really gets out of hand, note that he's been around for quite a while, but only has 5 posts. Whatever happened to Tadpole status, did they get rid of that? Anyways, I can assure you he's only familiar with a small number (5 or less), of outstanding hiking caches placed for events. True, they weren't reviewed or listed on this website. But he also, I'm sure, has no idea of how controversial this topic is, or that some events have been logged over 60 times. Not that there's anything wrong with that, of course. Oh, and the answer is, it's up to the owner of the event to decide whether or not to allow the multiple logs, and geocaching.com hasn't stopped it. So I guess you can say they allow it. I guess this tadpole has heard enough, and by the sounds of it, all of you that have grown into the full grown FROG status have been in this pond before. I guess, to me, it all comes down to TheWhiteUrkle's last statement. I'll just keep hiding event caches for the enjoyment of watching those that seek them out and reading their logs expressing their thanks. This Tadpole is going back into the comfort of the unknowing, and hope I never grow legs.

I have seen in some cases that event caches are being logged as finds, by logging into the event several times, being determined by the amout of event caches completed. In one way this seems fair, but is this something that is advocated by Geocaching.com and is it acceptable? Time and effort are put into the hiding and finding of these caches and it seems as though credit should be given to, at least the finder.

I first would like to say thanks for all of the response to my comments of Hints given and asked for by cachers other than the cache owners. It sure looks lop sided, as far as the feelings go with fellow cachers. I guess being tucked away in the woods of NY and not realizing what the rest of the caching world thinks, I find myself at a loss for words. I almost feel like the bad guy and ashamed of bringing the subject up. But then again, that is what the Forms is all about. I must admit, there have been many times that if I had a number to call about a cache that I had spent quite some time on, I might have been very tempted to do so. I think that the Dial-A-Friend is a great idea, as long as it is used with some disgreation, and I agree it IS the trip that counts and to be successful at finding the cache is secondary. Thanks for the insight and suggestions. KillerB

Being the owner of over 30 caches I find that it bothers me when hints are given, to those that are seeking out caches, by anyone other than the owners of the cache. I try to vary my caches as far as difficulty goes, and when I put time and effort into a more difficult cache, as a challenge to fellow cachers, I expect that when it is found, the cacher would hold the secret to the cache to himself. It is my belief that the owner of the cache would be the only one to give hints and would do so in the cache page. I am in the habit of giving out additional hints only when; (1) the cache has been tested by experienced cachers for a period of time and cannot be located (2) the cache has had a previous FTF (3) a cacher has logged a DNF and details are given to me of what measures he or she has taken in their search With discretion, I have even given out my cell number to those trying, for the second time to find a cache, but only after the above criteria has been met. Right or wrong, I have only very rarely given hints to caches other than my own, and then, only if those same standards have been met. These are only my standards and opinions, but would be very interested in knowing of others. I do want to make it clear that I am not against combining ideas with others and forming teams to find or solve a cache. Thanks for any input. KillerB

CAUTION!!!!!!!!!! Hog weed is very dangerous and very long lasting. Believe me, or I should say my wife. It is many time worse than poison ivy or poison oak. We believe that she came in contact with it while doing "Browns Creek Cache" several weeks ago. The worst of it lasted over three weeks and it still lays under her skin and returns if she is out in the sun for any amount of time. It has left a bluish scaring effect on more sensitive parts of her body, such as her mid section around the belt line. The swelling, itching and oozing started one day after contact. It first appeared as a red blotch under her eye but soon spread to her eyelids, lips and even could feel swelling in her throat. Within a matter of days it began appearing many different places on her body. For two weeks she did not leave the house, mainly because of her appearrance. She went to two different doctors on the second and fourth day and the only decision that they both made was, it's not poison ivy or poison oak. Both sending her home with perscriptions, which were of no help. After three weeks her skin looks to be normal,(other than the bluish tint in places) but becomes very itchy if out in the sun for just a short time. From what I have read, the effects of contact of this plant, can last up to a year and as far as going to a doctor. Don't bother! She used almost any medicine prescribed, recommended or suggested, with out relief. Time seemed to be the only thing that brought any relief. What does this stuff look like? I do have pictures, but it's best just to go to do a search on HOG WEED, and you can see for yourself what it looks like and the effects of it. Since that day, I have found it while out caching and have seen it many places by the side of the road. For those of you that know where Ambuscade is, there is a lot of it growing on the farm to the north, just as you turn to go to the park. This plant in maturity grows to be over 6 or 7 feet tall and looks very much like a giant queens ann's lace. BE ADVISED, look up pictures of it, remember what it looks like, and by all means, DON'T GO NEAR IT!!!!!!!!!

Well, it looks like you already have enough suggestions to start a dog obedience class of your own, but I will add my two cents anyway. I have had quite a few dogs, most of them being of the field breeds. At this time I am the owner and master(you have to be the master) of a two year old Chocolate Lab. I very seldom go caching with out him and he is very well behaved. I start out with the teaching process of keeping the dog near by at all times by having him on a short leash and choke chain, walking him around the yard at my left side. I walk at a slow pace and hold his head just behind and to the side of my left leg. But not so close that he cannot respond to your sideways movement without getting stepped on first. I calmly but firmly keep telling him to "heel". If he tries to go ahead or fall behind I firmly put pressure on the chain, which in turn givs him a choking effect. This lesson only should last about 15 minutes or so. I do this several times a day lengthing the leash each time which will allow him to advance or fall back at will. When doing so, I respond with a yank on the leash and command him heel. For a dog with any intelligence, it will only be a matter of a few days and he will be responding to heel without the need to put pressure on the leash. Once I feel confident that I am in full control. I go through this same process in a local park where he will come up against other dogs and the general public, including cars and trucks. This is a much harder lesson for him to learn and it will take time and patience, on your part. Again back in your own yard where there are not any distractions, allow the dog his freedom with whatever command you would like to use, but also with a forward swinging arm action. Both command and arm movement have to be given before the dog is to be allowed to be free. Now is when you will know if your "heel" command lesson has been learned. Give a sharp command to heel, if and when he returns to your side a "good boy" and a pat on the head will be payment enough for him to know that he has done as he was taught and he has been rewarded for it. When you feel confident that you are in full command take him for his final test at the park again, but ONLY when you are in FULL command. When in the woods or on the trail, never let him get out too far before you give him some kind of command to let him know that he is overstepping his bounds and he will have to heel if he continues to not respond. I keep a short leash on my belt at all times, if I think that I may run into other hikers or I am in a Leash Law area. When we meet others, he is emmediately given the command to heal and the leash goes on. Many times when he sees a hiker before I do, he returns without being told. Then we both get a "good boy" and maybe even GOLD STARS. Hope this helps. KillerB and a dog named Bo