weather proffing stuffed animals

[ashnikes]

So I had this idea to use a stuffed animal backpack as the cache, i have a weatherproof container inside the bag holding swag and the log book, but the animal is exposed almost entirely to the elements in a tree cavity, the animal is typical faux fur, and has a metal zipper, coated with what appears to be some sort of rustproof paint.

 

My question then is, what can i do to keep or at least prolong the life of this furry animal, prevent mold, and keep it in decent shape for a while, as im sure it will have to be replaced in the future with another one, but i dont want to have to replace it weekly, any suggestions?

[+BlueDeuce]

Welcome to the forums.

 

I think it's a bad idea for a container. Stick with weather-proofed items first and try to make that look like an animal.

[+roziecakes]

I agree with BlueDeuce, you can make something look like a cute animal without making it furry... you can make it with all kinds of things that are more weatherproof.

[+LukeTrocity]

So I had this idea to use a stuffed animal backpack as the cache, i have a weatherproof container inside the bag holding swag and the log book, but the animal is exposed almost entirely to the elements in a tree cavity, the animal is typical faux fur, and has a metal zipper, coated with what appears to be some sort of rustproof paint.

 

My question then is, what can i do to keep or at least prolong the life of this furry animal, prevent mold, and keep it in decent shape for a while, as im sure it will have to be replaced in the future with another one, but i dont want to have to replace it weekly, any suggestions?

I thought you quit?

 

Maybe try "campdry"?

[GOF's Sock Puppet]

Campdry won't do it. I don't think there is a way to do it that won't make the pack completely useless as a container. How about placing the whole thing in a giant LnL?

[+Ms.Scrabbler]

That would be one cache I would not reach out for.

Once it got wet it would not only be smelly, uncomfortable to touch and the zipper rusted, bugs would be making it home - many bugs.

[+Quossum]

I saw a cache made of a "stuffed animal" of sorts:

 

 

Notice, though, that the actual cache is the bison tube dangling beneath it. You don't have to actually touch the spider. The CO's are willing to do the necessary upkeep on it, too; it's part of a great nursery rhyme series.

 

It was totally awesome to find, too. We came circling around the tree and almost jumped out of our skins!

 

--Q

[+EscapeFromFlatland]

Spray the thing inside and out with poly-urethane?

[sabrefan7]

I saw a cache made of a "stuffed animal" of sorts:

 

 

Notice, though, that the actual cache is the bison tube dangling beneath it. You don't have to actually touch the spider. The CO's are willing to do the necessary upkeep on it, too; it's part of a great nursery rhyme series.

 

It was totally awesome to find, too. We came circling around the tree and almost jumped out of our skins!

 

--Q

I would have CRAPPED MY KNICKERS

[knowschad]

You said "faux fur", right? If that is true, then, in my experience, you don't have much of an issue. It will get dirty and musty, but so will an ammo box after a while. This cache of mine, covered with fake fur and hidden inside a log, was out for three years, until the squirrels or whatever finally tunneled completely through the log it was hidden in, and kept pushing the cache out so they could run through the log. It was fun for me, and the finders, while it lasted, though, as you can see by the logs.

[ashnikes]

hmmm well we shall see how it holds up, and im thinking maybe ill just cut the zipper out, that way i dont have to deal with it, if it doesnt last a month here, ill change it to something more durable.

[+The Blorenges]

hmmm well we shall see how it holds up, and im thinking maybe ill just cut the zipper out, that way i dont have to deal with it, if it doesnt last a month here, ill change it to something more durable.

 

It'll be fun... for a while.

 

BTW, Have you considered HamsterCaching?

 

MrsB

 

(Do not try weatherproofing hamsters with Campdry.)

Edited July 9, 2010 by The Blorenges

[+Castle Mischief]

You said "faux fur", right? If that is true, then, in my experience, you don't have much of an issue. It will get dirty and musty, but so will an ammo box after a while. This cache of mine, covered with fake fur and hidden inside a log, was out for three years, until the squirrels or whatever finally tunneled completely through the log it was hidden in, and kept pushing the cache out so they could run through the log. It was fun for me, and the finders, while it lasted, though, as you can see by the logs.

 

I don't know. I'd be worried about the stuffing in the animal and what a haven of microbes and fungus it would become after a month. But I guess if most of the filler was removed... maybe. Certainly worth building a test cache and leaving it in the yard for a month to see what happens to it.

 

 

 

11 replies and nobody said "put it inside an ammo can"??? I think I might shed a tear.

[+roziecakes]

 

 

11 replies and nobody said "put it inside an ammo can"??? I think I might shed a tear.

 

Oh my gosh ashnikes, you could totally cover an ammo can with fake fur... and give it eyes, and a tail! (Now I'm getting some ideas)

[+ras_oscar]

If you're looking for fuzzy, I can't think of anything unless you find a way to keep it completely dry. If you're looking for cute, the garden section of the hardware store usually has resin hidakey containers shaped like various woodland creatures used as garden ornaments.

[+ras_oscar]

Or you could get a garden hobbit and stick a bison tube up his .... never mind, dont want to get spanked by motorcycle mama.

[+magking1971]

Put it in a film can!

No just kidding.

I like the idea of covering a ammo can with fur and putting a tail and some ears on it.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

Ask a taxidermist. They frequently do mounts that can survive hold up outdoors.

 

I've seen real whole deer mounts in yards so they're weatherproofing them with something.

[+-cheeto-]

Believe it or not I have heard of a stuffed animal cache getting infested with fleas. Laughed when I read the owners maintenance log.

[+Castle Mischief]

...survive hold up outdoors.

 

You made me snort energy drink up my nose. Funniest thing I've read on the forums all week.

[+BulldogBlitz]

I've seen real whole deer mounts in yards so they're weatherproofing them with something.

as i've lived within a stones throw of alabama for several years, why am i not surprised....

 

...and why the hell haven't i seen that here?

[Shrekito]

So I had this idea to use a stuffed animal backpack as the cache, i have a weatherproof container inside the bag holding swag and the log book, but the animal is exposed almost entirely to the elements in a tree cavity, the animal is typical faux fur, and has a metal zipper, coated with what appears to be some sort of rustproof paint.

 

My question then is, what can i do to keep or at least prolong the life of this furry animal, prevent mold, and keep it in decent shape for a while, as im sure it will have to be replaced in the future with another one, but i dont want to have to replace it weekly, any suggestions?

 

Didn't you just post on another thread that you were quitting Geocaching? Dude you typed a whole page with reasons and every thing. What the hell?

[ashnikes]

Hmm....

I will leave it up, and see what happens, ill weather"proof" it with some campdry, but who knows, ill keep an eye out for something else, if it fails, i also like the idea of dressing an ammo can with fur, but then i still have the fur issue, this is florida remember, one of the wettest states around,

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

I've seen real whole deer mounts in yards so they're weatherproofing them with something.

as i've lived within a stones throw of alabama for several years, why am i not surprised....

 

...and why the hell haven't i seen that here?

It's not an Alabama thing, thank you.

 

From the New Hampshire Wildlife Journal - http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife_J...2_Taxidermy.pdf

 

One taxidermist, Loren Nash of Berlin, does a lot of roadkill animals, including deer, bear, fox, coyotes and many others. Nash is also known for doing mounts that are … well, a bit off the wall. He’s planning an outdoor display depicting a moose that’s been struck by a vehicle. After he gets hold of an appropriately crushed vehicle – or dents it himself – he plans to attach a full-size mounted moose to the car’s roof. Nash

wants to haul the vehicle/moose combo around to inform people about driving safely in moose country. The display, he says, will be dramatic, but tasteful.