Boo-Ya-Cache

I'm ready to stick them on the cars. When i activate them do they have to be named? Can I change the names later?

Gotcha! I also read somewhere that there are companies that print custom tags and numbers. Is there a database of "available" tag numbers somewhere? I assume it must be alphanumeric, but there happens to be 6 letters in my last name, and to have a personalized TB tag would just be downright awesome.

Welcome to geocaching Mike! I'm sure there is a FAQ on travel bugs, but I know that it can be confusing at first... geocachings, geocoins, travel bugs, pathtags, oh my! Once you use the activation code to 'turn on' your travel bug (TB), you be giving a number that you can use to reference it in public. You can think of this as its public name. You can share it, write about to others, blog it, whatever. If someone wants to do a search on-line or on geocaching.com to find out about it... its reference name is what they can us. The number printed on the coin is its private name or tracking number. You should never post a message with this number, take pictures of that number and post it, etc. because knowledge of this number is evidence that you have actually had the object in your name in 'real life' (RL). To add a log on geocaching.co. (GC.com) that you 'discovered', picked up, or dropped off this coin, you have to supply this number. You'll see in time, all trackables (TBs and Geocoins) have a reference number and a tracking number. I hope that helps, you take care, and welcome to the game! - Savoy but why cant you use the tracking number on the bug that you already have to talk about in public? Thanks for the help! Savoy's typo may have misled you. To have the number from the coin or tag means that you have actually laid eyes or hands on said coin or tag in real life. With this number, you may then discover it, or grab it and add it to your inventory. Whether you have it or not. Just to be safe, only use the ref # when you talk or write about it. Forget the private number, until of course you find it again. I'm new too, so hopefully this helps.

What is commonly done with the two stickers and two dog tags? I assume I'll put one sticker on each side of my truck's tail-gate for maximum visibility, but what do I do with the tags? One is regular and the other has COPY printed on it. Can I attach the good one to something and leave it in a cache or will that be too confusing since all of the numbers are the same. People will be discovering the bug and the truck in different places. I bought the stickers, what do I need the actual tags for if the number is sticker specific? What if I found a Hot Wheels replica of my truck to attach the tag to, that may avoid confusion or just exacerbate things.

Maybe some of you veterans can help out. I found a little stuffed fish with a TB dog tag attached. I was excited to have found my first TB tag, but when I got it home, it wasn't activated. I obviously don't have the activation code, so it's just hanging from a thumbtack on my bulletin board, until further notice. Anyone know how to get the necessary activation code?