BBI Dragon

I agree... in over 5,000 caches I've only seen one that required a blacklight. Is this really common enough to deserve it's own attribute? I'll ask a few questions: How many caches have you found that used the "night cache" attribute? Or the "snow shoes" required attribute? Or the hazards "hunting" or "Abandoned Mines" attributes? Maybe even "Watch for Livestock" attribute? In some areas, maybe you've see these attributes used rarely if even, other areas maybe a little more often. I believe the "UV light Required" attribute was created to incourage more of these types of hides to be developed. I had one published a few weeks ago and did it only because of the new attribute. I don't think I would have thought of this approach without spotting the new attribute. I have plans for two more UV light required hides.

I just had a UV light required multi published. I experimented with solvent UV ink on several metal surfaces and after about 5 weeks of winter weather (mostly overcast days) I had about a 35% fading of the ink. One location was facing south (sun side) and it faded the most. It was also on flat black and showed faintly in regular daylight. I ended up using discs of natural wood for the waypoints. Each marker/waypoint had to be covered with a polyurethane coating so that the UV pen ink didn't bleed into the wood. Found out the need for this by trial and error. Then I covered the coordinates in UV pen ink with several more layers of clear coat, one that has a UV light resistance to it to protect it from sunlight. The location is a dense forested area so the sunlight doesn't make it to the ground very much, and I placed the waypoint marks in a manner so that they would always be in the shade. After the cache was published the first several hunters liked the concept very much. It has been suggested that a visit to a pet store as a source for getting an inexpensive UV light (used for spotting pet stains - $6 to $14). Also suggested was taking along a regular light to find the waypoint markers then reading them with the UV light. I have plans for two more UV light required hides. One will involved a laminated map (multiple copies in the first container) that can only be read using a UV light. The container will protect the ink from the sunlight. The other idea I have is a more delicate approach using a rubber stamp to mark a trail for the hunters to follow. I expect it will need maintenance every other month or so even with careful placement of the trail markers. I may cover the prints with the UV resistant clear coat too. I've been also looking at UV protection plastic to protect the UV ink from the sunlight.

I think it's pretty funny how so often these forums are a place where people hide behind their keyboards and make comments like this. Stick to the issue please. There's nothing "questionable" about using Roundup to find a cache.

If you were there to see it, you too would believe that it was intentionally sprayed. I've used these types of products before I know better (in my own yard mind you). It is too obvious a dead patch just in the area that the hint indicates to look. And yes, I can believe that someone could and would bring an old bottle of Round Up along with them out of frustration and a misguided sense of what's "okay" and do something like this. Most of my caches? There is only one other of my hides that uses this theme and it's been run over by a large piece of equipment in order to remove a near by tree. I've got to go and see if it can be recovered. Thank you bitten.

I have/had a hide that is a version of the "bottle cap" style of hide (GC22XHA). For those not familiar with this, it's basically a PVC or other tubing pushed or hammered into the ground with another smaller tube/container placed inside with a bottle cap attached to the top. All you see if you are looking in the right place is the bottle cap or other object at ground level. Now, I know this skirts the "caches are not to be buried" rule, and yet, these type of hides are common in this area and range from a rock with a container beneath to as mentioned, a bottle cap with a small container below. We aren't here to debate the legitimacy of this type of hide and I will not respond to any posting related to that. My cache was just off a walking/bike path with grass and trees on one side. So, I took a caching friend to my hide that's a version of the bottle cap type. It's listed as a 4 difficulty and I've had many a seasoned geocacher stumped. My hint would have given anyone a good idea of where to look using very close by landmarks. At GZ I notice that the grass was dead and dying in a patch a bit bigger than 3'x5'. Someone has sprayed the area with a herbicide like Roundup so the top of the hide could be found much more easily! I ask you, what happened to respect for the environment and not leaving a foot print?!? How is it "right" in anyone's geocaching mind to kill off the grass in order to find a cache? Just get down and look for it! What's next? A machete hacking away at the landscaping in a park? Cutting down a tree because the cache is out of reach in it's limbs? I can't put the cache back in it's original location because the grass is dead and dying. So, I'll just have to archive it. I just can't believe what some will do.

LOL , in Oregon and Washington, where I do most of my caching, we don't have a choice but to go out in the rain. Heavy rain, I avoid, but light rain, not a worry. You know, summer is July and August here, so we cache when we can.

I've been following these threads. It looks to me that the "proximity" rule only has to do with OTHER Earthcaches, NOT traditional caches. We'll have to wait to see if this is correct, or not.

PLEASE use a repellent, they do make them for companion pets. Don't use those spot-on pesticides. They make shoes, or sock like covers for dog's feet now. Check your local independent Pet supply store. I recommend keeping your dog on lead. I do take a dog from time to time. It's good companionship, they help to make you look more "natural" walking around while hunting but I find they do take a little eatra time to get hooked up, out of the vehicle, pick up after them, and they do sometimes have their own ideas about what they want to do. I have terriers and if we see a squirrel, watch out!

Splinterheads is opening here in Portland next Friday Nov. 13th. I've got a poster and pass for two. []

I think there are two basic kinds of cachers. First, the one's really only after the numbers. They are ones most likely to be abusing the PAF, and to be on occasion, abusive to those they call. Second, the caches like me, who are more focused on the hunt and the fun of the game. Sure we keep track of our finds but it would be rare that we'd use a PAF. I have returned several times to a cache I haven't been able to find just for the sake of being able to know that I made the find on my own. Once in a while I might email the owner and ask for a hint. If I had someone's phone number and I knew they'd found the hide recently enough to remember it, I might, after my second or third attempt, ask for a hint. On the flip side, on the rare occasion, I have been asked for help at a geocache event, or called up and asked for help by much more experienced cachers. I find this very flattering. I was able to make the find and they weren't. I try to give good hints or all but tell them where it is, because I know they are more in the first group of cachers (above). I assume that they have given the location a good looking over before they ask for my help (of all people). I would never offer anything more than a hint on how to solve a puzzle cache if I were asked.

Why should anyone care about someone's cheating? Because it diminishes the game for all involved. In this case, the topic could have been, but I know it wasn't, started because of a local, "respected" (by some, ridiculed by others) cacher who is cheating in just about all aspects of the game. From couch logging (which has been checked and proven in several states) to signing logs but not logging online until they need to so they can keep their "streak" going, to sock puppet accounts for those FTFs, to accusations of stealing caches & trackables and lying. The concern is the retaliation. Most are rightfully afraid to even deleting a false log to their own caches, let alone call this person out as a cheat. This type of behavior is part of the human spectrum, I understand. But when cachers are intimidated, bullied and afraid, this does diminish the game.

My average is one DNF for every 5 to 10 finds. I've gotten better with time and experience at making the finds. I figure there is going to be about a 10% "it's just not there" factor much of the time. If I don't really give it a good try because I'm bored, or muggled, or I think I'll return another time soon, I don't even bother to log a DNF. I have started logging a note calling it a "soft DNF" but giving the reason why I might not have made the find.

As the OP asked, this is an actual critique of what I've looked at with his caches. A few points: Don't read too much into the fact that come caches have bothered to hunt for your hides and others haven't, or haven't looked for all for your hides. There could be numerous reasons for this, anything from they have other things to do, to they don't like what they think that cache is like, to they don't wish to hunt for a cache from someone so new to the game. If you are getting DNFs on your hides, several in a row, other cachers will pretty much not bother to look figuring it's been muggled. In these cases, go out and find it, and log a note that you have checked and that it's there, or have performed maintenance on it and replaced it if it was in fact missing. Newer caches have a harder time finding hides than those with experience. If someone with a lot of experience can't find your hide, it simple might be missing or you've had "cache drift" (where someone moves it outside the usual area someone might look). Really, I am sorry you had a bad experience with your previous bank. My wife has been in banking for decades and I have heard the other side of these situations. They are often caused by someone not being fully informed about all that is involved in the banking process, sometimes their own fault, sometimes not. But it is not appropriate to have such a vent session on your cache's pages. I usually cache because I'm doing something else in the area and pick up a few while there. I also often cache based on picking out a location that has enough caches I haven't found and making a sweep of the area. I don't care what size the container is, or what style, or difficulty, I just give them all a try. I usually skip the multi caches and puzzle hides for another time. However, I'm just getting into puzzle caches, so I'll solve one, find out where I need to go to sign the log and pickup some traditional caches while in the area.

It's new(s) to me. I've read about this concept in the forums, that GS might consider something like this. But the debate is always an issue of personal preferences. Some caches LOVE micros, some HATE them. Grading a cache's "quality" can be way too subjective. That having been said, I'd like to see the bugs worked out of a system like this and have it part of the official aspect of the game.

I spotted this at ebay. I think it deserves a responce from the geocaching community. http://cgi.ebay.com/Geocaching-Travel-Bug-...%3A3%7C294%3A50 Geocaching Travel Bug - Pirate Loot 16 x Central FL The Pirates have been busy in Central Florida. Here we have 16 Travel Bug halves. They have not been tracked since their last known location. Hold them for ransom if you want. I remind you that nothing illegal has been done here and I am merely selling them for someone. Things left in public places or while tresspassing is fair game. There are a couple of coins and things here. All the stupid Dollar Store junk has been removed. What a funny listing. *** I emailed the seller and said that what he was doing was rude and that the stolen property was of no value except to those that paid for the TBs and activated them. I got this in responce: These items were all found in one ammo box labeled Travel Bug Hotel. It was located on PRIVATE property that for months the cops were being sent out because people were snooping around in the middle of the night by Jerks like you. Scaring his Wife and Kids and causing him much distress in the middle of the night. Plants, fences, and sod were also being damaged by people who couldn't seem find it digging around. As well as alot of trash. The box was found by Metal Detector and replaced with a sign that said "Get off my f-in property... NOW". Who cares who paid for them. They were used in a very poor fashion. If they leave it it is no longer theirs. And the rules you seem to abide by break those of others. Who is rude and breaking the laws here? Stick to public parks and even then be respectful of the property. Just look up Bomb Scares and Geocache to see how some Geocahers are just plain disrespectful of the general public. Most of you walk around like your stoned in the woods and may be. And further disrepect is trying to keep the game inclusive calling us normal folk muggles. This listing was a 15 cent joke and already they are worth 1. I'm 14 cents out so far. And you... out of touch with the muggles. I hope you play with more respect than 75% of these so called Earth loving people exploring and finding Dollar Store junk. Cache In Cache Out? More like Trash In Cache Out. Happing Bidding. - shuflar *** I replied that if the cache was placed on private property without permission all it would have taken was ONE person to report it and it would have been taken down. Instead, they steal the contents and place it up for auction and insult us.

Hi Unkle Fester! Epic Adventure of the DNF Kind (edited down for length) (snip) Now, before I continue, let me give a friendly warning to all of my fellow cachers; this is NOT a hike for short pants. There is poison oak, blackberries and thorns. I had on shorts. (snip) Back at me geomobile my legs were itchy so I used the ice water I'd brought along to rinse them off, just as the first raindrops came down out of the approaching storm. Scratched, poked and welted, I drove home in a downpour as the edge of the thunderstorm rolled in. Once home, I took off my shoes and socks and got into the shower using soap and water to clean off my legs. I had nothing to put on them to relieve the itching and welting so I used a spray I have for the dog's hot spots called Allercaine. Stuff worked great and within 20 minutes all I had was scratched up legs! The next day I was talking with my father and he scared some good sense into me about the risks of poison oak. From now of, I'll avoid hiking through an area with it if I'm not wearing long pants AND be very careful not to touch the pants for fear of getting the toxin on my hands and in my eyes or elsewhere. As it turns out, the cache owner did check on the hide and it's still there. I must have messed up the coordinates because I was off by quite a bit. I'll be returning again in a day or two. Owner says there isn't that much poison oak around the cache. As for disabling the caches I'd say no, just add a big warning to the cache pages and make it clear that there is a serious hazard to getting to these hides.

I just started using 2 way radios on channel 2 between my wife and I while out caching for when we are not in talking range of one another. Sometimes I will jump out of the car and walk a short distance, sometimes out of sight, and having the radios is nice. Sometimes we will get seperated while out hunting togeather too and the radios are nice over shouting at one another, or again, if we are out of sight. I also got the radios because we are having a 3 day geocaching event coming up and according to the organizer channel 2 will be used. I've vollunteered to be geo-dog first-aid person as I'm certified by the Red Cross for this.

Here's my practice: If there is at least one DNF just before me, the last log, if I can't find it I log a DNF. If there is a log just within a few days and someone found it, but I can't and I looked really hard, I usually log a DNF. The key here is "looked really hard." If I didn't really have time to look well because of whatever, especially being muggled, I do NOT log a DNF. Sometimes I'll just log a note that says "...got muggled" or "I looked but will try again." If I couldn't find it and it's been a week or more since the last found it log, and I looked really well, I will often log a DNF just on the outside chance the cache is missing.

The quote is a really good idea. As I've looked for one of this type that has gone down the pole twice now and needs replacement yet again. I've found several of this type of hide. In one case it was a film canister clued into the inside of the cap. This one was not in good condision and needed recluing. I emailed the owner and made a suggestion about using epoxy glue. That's the second type of this cache I've seen - epoxy glue used to clue a hook-eye in the inside of the cap. The log container is then attached to the hook-eye with a wire of small chain. In fact, I just a half hour ago needed an inch or so of Mighty Putty (as seen on TV) and pushed it into a fence pole cap. The "hook" part is some heavy plastic coated wire I twisted togeather for strength and made into a loop to hold the wire/chain that will be attached to the log container. As for the cap, I bought a new one and "aged" it by letting it stay outside for two months after using a little fine grit sand paper on it to get off the "new" shine and so that natural "stuff" would collect on it and it would oxidize. Another trick I have used on containers before is to use a matte finish clear coat spray paint, spray on the container and than toss a bit of dirt and whatever in it's general direction. The clear coat makes the container sticky for just long enough to have dust and whatever stick to it. As if, it has been out in the weather for some time.

I think it's very admirable for anyone to think about, let alone construct an elaborate cache. It's a testament to the diversity of this game. Considering how many films canisters, key keepers and bison tubes are used in geocaching, it is the rare individuals that go above and beyond that make a hide memorable either by location or container. This being said, as someone who's always tried to make my hides unique and spends more then the average amount of time researching, developing and constructing mine, "things happen." Between muggles, jealous and mean spirited cachers, please understand that there is always a risk involved in placing a hide. I myself, have had many hides come up "missing in action" under suspicious circumstances all because of a disagreement over an issue. I've had to take things down a notch or two in order to replace these missing caches. But I'm back again planning hides of a better caliber again. I'm reading this forum for ideas.

IMO: Geocaching is a GAME if you are casual to moderate with getting out to hunt. Geocaching is a HOBBY if you are researching and constructing better than average hides. Geocaching is a SPORT if you are a FTF hound, hunt very often and have gotten more than 25 finds in one day.

Might the OP be asking about not using reflectors and still calling it a "night cache?" I have one night cache and it is in a park with a very dense stand of tall trees. I've worked it out to be a maze with a good 6 forks where you can go either right or left, one being a dead end. I have gotten a lot of good logs from this one. It's a bit of a challenge, but cachers are enjoying it for that.

IMO the problem with asking this question here in the forum is that you'll not likely hear much from the silent majority. This is a safe environment to get the answers you might be looking to reinforce when asking this type of question. IMO the problem with a game with only "guidelines" on how it is played is that it is open to a broad interpretation on what is "fair" and how to participate. FTF Hounds/Hogs are in the vast minority, at one very end of the Geocaching spectrum. The vast majority of cachers fall somewhere in the middle. At best, Geocaching has "guidelines" for placement of a cache. There are few guidelines, let along rules for hunting. As long is this is a game without any real guidelines/rules on how to hunt, there are going to be disagreements between the broad interpretation of what is "fair." Opinions are not facts, nor truths, they are not right nor wrong. Opinions are perspectives. This post is an opinion.

deleted odd double posting

I spoke to a former IT guy I know. He told me the same thing. All someone has to do is include a line of code to activate the moment the USB drive is connected (and gets power from your PC) and it can autorun/download a virus BEFORE you are able to scan it for such. It's not being paranoid, it's being smart.