mndvs737

I'd consider using something other than the BackTrack series. From what I can gather from the Bushnell site, their main market focus is for people who want to know how to get back to where they were when they punched the button to mark their car/tent/truck/etc. Yes, the "BackTrack Point 5" has a "digital compass that also shows you your latitude and longitude coordinates", but, for geocaching, I would think that forces you to walk around, focusing more on making digits match up, and then narrowing your search based on where the match occurs. If you use a GPSr like Garmin or Delorme, you are able to enter the coordinates, save them as a location, and then "follow the arrow" to that location. That way you can really make sure you follow steps #3 and #4 in Jeff's post - the correct datum and coordinate method can make a huge difference (trust me!). Also, you look at the arrow, get a general idea of which way to head, and then get to look at everything around you as you walk for a while before you check back to the screen. I really like Bushnell for their optics, but I think their GPS models have a very limited application.

My least favorite is the "I put this here because I knew you would decrypt and read it." or some variation thereof. To me, that is the epitome of a "useless hint".

Saw this one while doing some recon for a potential trip: June 5 by XxXxXx (2785 found) Found on a geocaching trip with XxACCOMPLICExX. Wasps, the lack of wasp spray, and an aversion to pain prevented us from signing the log. TFTC edited to redact accomplice's name, who left this "SMILEY" log: June 5 by XxACCOMPLICExX (4209 found) Found while geocaching around parts of SoMeWhErE and parts of SoMeWhErE ElSe with XxXxXx. Getting to the log was definitely a problem for us today, as we were unable to retrieve the cache container from its hiding place due to a very active wasp nest only a couple of inches away. Otherwise, I believe we would have been able to sign the log. However, considering that part of the challenge was to actually get to the log, if the cache owner doesn't think our efforts are sufficient to deserve the smiley, please feel free to delete this log. TFTC

My understanding is that the 10 Years! events were only held on the weekend of May 1st/2nd, and had a specific set of guidelines to qualify for the unique icon (certain naming convention for the event, sign with event coords, at least 10 in attendance, picture of attendees, etc.). That weekend was chosen because it was the closest to the "button pressing" that allowed the birth of our sport/game/hobby/addiction. Since there was a date restriction on the events, I think it's very unlikely that you will see any more of these posted with the unique icon. You could still get local cachers together for an event and celebrate the 10 Years anniversary, but my understanding is that it would get the regular event icon, not the 10 Years! icon.

They would get a GPS position fix in the same way they get communications when submerged - antenna that can be raised from the mast to extend a short distance above the surface of the water while the sub itself stays submerged (conning tower included).

Here's the big thing to remember - GPS was created not for civilian use (i.e., geocaching, car navigation, workout tracking, etc.), but for military purposes. Many cite the need for accurate positioning of "mobile launch platforms" (SSBN's, long-range strategic bombers, etc.) during the Cold War, and the technology has seen an expanded role (cruise missile guidance, remotely-operated drones, etc.). If something happens to any of the satellites, I am very sure that it will be quickly repaired/replaced due to their investment and reliance on the system.

On a group hunt of a multi, one cacher was looking for the pill fob in a tree (some type of spruce or cedar, I think) - he has wormed up into the branches and is crouched down, and we are looking over his shoulders. After 3 or 4 minutes, he says "I give up - someone else come in and look" - as he backs out, the pill fob drops down right in front of his face - turns out as he went in, when he raised his head it had gotten on the bill of his cap, and had somehow stayed there as he looked around. So, sometimes even knowing that it is above ground level is not any help, depending on your approach.

Head over to the Mississippi Geocacher's Association (http://msga.net/) - very few of the MS cachers seem to be active here on the Groundspeak forums, but we are a lively bunch over there, and I think there are quite a few from the Brandon area.

Just make sure you're not wearing a red shirt if you are on a caching expedition with William Shatner.

We did one of these caches one time that was done with permission of the land manager. I think the reason they were allowed to do it, is that there were lots of other functional birdhouses on the same land that were nailed/screwed into the trees. I will say that the geocache birdhouse was over 100 feet from any functional birdhouse, greatly reducing the chance of searching a functional birdhouse, and upon a 2nd look, there was something "not quite right" about the birdhouse used for the geocache that made it obvious that was your target. I think it all comes down to a LOT of communication between the cache owner, the land manager, and Groundspeak.

Regarding the 2nd question, what would be the difference between going to a library to solve part of the puzzle, as opposed to using the internet (which many of us do)? As long as GPS is an integral part of the hun, I wouldn't have a problem with it. In fact, I think it would be a cool twist, as it's something we don't do much any more.

I'd also add there may come a point where how others play the game could directly impact where others are allowed to play the game - a city/county/state/federal agency may place certain parks, cemeteries, or other areas off-limits to future caches and require that current caches be pulled due to individuals ignoring posted hours for access or other regulations.

Are all caches in Elbonia at least a 3.5 terrain rating? Or are they a 5 due to the need for protection from mud weasels? On further thought, though, it sounds like a pretty easy reviewer job: "Nope, the cache will sink into the mud, making it appear as if it were buried, and we can't have people thinking a cache was buried, so submission is denied."

First, let me invite you over to MSGA.net -- that is the Mississippi Geocacher's Association site, and you'll get a lot more replies over there. There are several cachers from the Starkville area active on that site, so you'll be able to make some helpful connections, find out about local/regional events, find out what are some "must-do" caches, etc. Now, to answer your question, my 1st suggestion would be Wall Doxey State Park, just south of Holly Springs, MS. There is camping, 2 disc golf courses, and several caches in the park. They are especially fun when you start out after them at around 10:30 at night in mid-March. You would also be close enough to head into Oxford for some of the caches there. Trace and Tombigbee Parks don't have as many caches in the park, but put you pretty close to Tupelo. Enid Lake (George P Cossar State Park) might be another option. There are also quite a few around Arkabutla Lake (south of Southaven and Hernando). However, contact the office there, as some of their campgrounds will be closed soon for repair work and construction. Hope this gives you some starting points, and we look forward to seeing you at msga.net

I spent about an hour on the phone with Garmin Support yesterday afternoon, and was in a remote session for about 40 minutes. What was happening is that Windows was saying the USB drivers were installed, but they actually weren't. The support tech did something with WebUpdater, and lo and behold it works. So, all is good now.

Yes -- I have been able to update the software and download additional vehicles and voices for our Nuvi, hook my BlackBerry up (as both USB Mass Storage and through B'Berry Desktop Manager), use USB flash drives, connect our printer, download images from digital camera, connect a mouse, etc. I've tried all of these on both USB ports -- everything works other than the Rino.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had any issues with their GPS (specifically Garmins) no longer seeing the USB connection after they upgraded to Windows 7. We had to get a new home computer, and now my Rino 520HCx does not see that it is connected to the computer via USB, and none of the Garmin utilities (Communicator, WebUpdater, MapSource) can see the device. GSAK does not see it, either. I've been working with Garmin -- they first sent me a replacement unit, but it is having the same issue. I've downloaded the USB drivers 3 or 4 times, made sure Communicator is the latest version, etc. Garmin also asked if the computer had USB 2.0 or 3.0 -- it is USB 2.0. The chipset on the new computer is an AMD Athlon TF-20, 1.6 GHz, single-core. The laptop is running Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-bit. Previous computer was running XP Professional (Service Pack 3) with an Intel Pentium M chipset (1.6 GHz). Any thoughts or ideas as to what is going on?

For me, once I start actively seeking a cache container, it's either smiley or DNF. DNF can result from not finding the container that is there, not finding a container (that the owner later confirms is missing), cutting the search short due to weather, increased muggle activity, etc. I'll state why I'm logging the DNF to give the CO an update on their cache. I don't think we need another log type -- it will just get too confusing. Smiley, DNF, Note, NM, and NA/SBA are enough -- just my $0.02.

If you are taking a TB or GC with you, "dip" it for mileage and foreign country credit (photo for log would be nice as well), and then bring it back stateside for a drop. If you find a TB or GC in any of the caches that you visit, if at all possible, pick them up and bring them home. For some reasons, a lot of travellers go on a "permanent" vaccation when they pass through Cozumel -- it's not uncommon to see 10 or more travellers listed for a cache, but multiple logs talking about only 1 or 2 being present.

If you have any type of smartphone (BlackBerry, etc.) that can receive email, set it up so that your emails come to the phone as well as your "mailbox" on your computer or email host.

Post this over at www.msga.net, the Mississippi Geocachers Association -- you'll get more responses over there.

I'll echo briansnat's remark about the cloth tape being preferable. Duct tape can have a shine to it, which somewhat defeats the purpose of the camo efforts. The cloth tape is a matte finish, and is often done in a pattern such as RealTree or Mossy Oak, which includes graphics of sticks, leaves, etc., so it can really blend in well.

Also check out GOWT, Geocachers of West Tennessee -- www.gowt.org -- not quite as active a forum as the MSGA forums, but good info there as well and people willing to lend support.

If they get out of there soon enough and quietly enough, no, his hunt may not be ruined based on wind conditions, amount of legal hunting hours left, etc. As I have stated before, the behavior of the individual they encountered is INEXCUSABLE, and I say that as a hunter. However, the cachers' choice to go back is inexcusable as well. It's like a dog that starts growling at you when you come around a corner, and you retreat back around the corner. If you go back around the corner and try and pet the dog, are you going to be surprised, or are you going to want my sympathy, when he bites you? I'm not saying it was OK for the dog to bite you -- I'm saying that you took an action with foreseeable consequences that you chose to ignore, and you bear some responsibility for the outcome of the situation.

It is obvious to even us non-hunters that you know nothing about that activity. You can chose to go to another cache. You didn't set up a tree stand and watch that cache for seven hours! Jeeze... give these guys a break! You can go to other caches... your caches don't spook and run away just because someone walked near them. An airplane flying overhead does not have the same effect on a deer as a human walking nearby (even a "quiet" one... it is your smell as much or more than your sounds that spooks them). You were totally innocent in entering that hunter's area. He should have been more gracious. But you were no longer innocent when you decided to go back in spite of knowing that he was there. Sorry... you were wrong. I'll adress both posts here. Vartan84 -- If I am hunting and no game shows up, I am disappointed, but I still had a chance to be in the woods for a day. If it rains, I may stay on the hunt as long as it is not torrential (lightning is a different matter -- you can find me at the house, then -- but that is a safety issue) -- I actually harvested my first deer by staying out when it was starting to sleet a bit. A plane overhead happens quite frequently and the wildlife becomes accustomed to the sound. Also, if you walk in the 1st time, not knowing I am there, then you realize I am there, and you leave quietly, I'll call that bad luck on both our parts and try and re-focus on the hunt and determine if I need to move my location. Later in the afternoon, moving becomes less of an option, though. Now, once you know I am there, if you start making all sorts of noise, or if you leave and come back, making a noisy entrance -- now I may consider that harassment, and I will begin to contemplate calling the Game Warden or other authority responsible for the land to report the situation and let them deal with everything and make the determination if there was actual harassment. I'll do my best not to say anything to you, though, so I don't get carried away and get myself in trouble. You did not "pass through" -- you left and re-entered, and I can see how that could be considered harassment. knowschad -- thank you very much for your thoughtful replies to this thread. I am thankful to know that there are non-hunters out there who have an open mind about our pursuit and realize that we make significant investments and sacrifices to try and give ourselves an extra smidgen of a chance for a successful hunt. For those who geocache on public lands that are open to hunting, what do you pay to access that land? Often, nothing. Yes, we may go out there for CITO every now and then, but for the most part, we use the land for free and give nothing in return. Who pays for the upkeep of the land, then? In most states, the majority of those funds come from hunting and fishing license sales. In other words, the hunters spend the money that keeps the land available to everyone else for hiking, photography, orienteering, and, yes, geocaching. Kind of puts a different spin on it now, doesn't it?