opinions needed

[+The_Incredibles_]

So I've adopted a night cache and about 2/3 of the firetacks were missing. I went and replaced them and went back a week later and someone had removed them. Not just along the main trail, but also a couple where you leave the trail. I did not use a ladder but put them in as high as I could reach. They are the stealth bright kind.

 

I'm wondering what's the best way to deal with this. Should I just go back with a tall ladder and replace them again or should I post my email in the area and hope they contact me so we can have some sort of dialog. Or would this likely be futile? TIA.

[+SoloSeekers ヅ]

I would replace them high with the use of a step ladder...way out of reach! I also would probably just use reflective tape, instead of the unique reflective tacks. You can buy the red & white reflective tape at Lowe's or Home Depot. That way it would reduce the temptation of it being removed. I have several night caches and I have only used the tacks on one of them, all the others I used reflective tape that I can cut into any shape and then I use a staple gun to attach it to a tree or telephone pole with the use of a 6' step ladder. I have had no issues with anyone removing them.

[+irisisleuk]

Did this also happen (once of several times) before you adopted the cache? Did the previous owner ever receive complaints by someone?

 

If the fire tacks were gone within a week, it must have been done by someone who visits the area very often.

Is there some sort of park ranger who might not be aware of this night cache? I would first check with those who are in charge of monitoring/maintenance of the area, since they might know what is going on.

Another possibility is that one of the persons living in the surrounding houses had enough of flash lights pointing at their houses, but since the fire tacks were already gone within a week, I presume there were no geocachers in this week to trigger this.

Over here we had a similar problem with a night cache (not ours). They think waypoints got destroyed by a homeless person that apparantly spent his nights in this small forest and wasn't happy with nightly visitors. This cache was archived, I don't think they tried to get in touch with this person.

 

If you really want to get this night cache up and running again, I would first try to get in touch with the person(s) that removed the fire tacks. So if the people who do park maintance have no idea who did this, I would hang some flyers asking people to contact you by e-mail. Otherwise I'm afraid new fire tacks will be gone just as quickly.

 

Good luck!

[+The_Incredibles_]

This one's not visited very frequently. We're talking maybe a few times a year. No park rangers here,; it's a small wooded area (local park). No way for anyone to complain, either, as it's part of a multi cache so no easy way to look it up. Houses are nearby, but most of the trail is not right next to houses so no concerns about flashlights shining in windows. The firetacks went missing before I adopted it. They have been missing for quite some time (over a year) before I replaced them. There's a section of trail which is overgrown and rooty where the firetacks were not removed. It seems to me to be someone local who walks these trails regularly. Not too many people would walk these trails unless they lived here.

[+Mudfrog]

You might try the round thumbtack looking reflectors and see how they work. They are white on the face and are hard to see on most trees during daylight hours. They reflect great at night. Walmart usually has them this time of year and the price can't be beat.

[+The_Incredibles_]

You might try the round thumbtack looking reflectors and see how they work. They are white on the face and are hard to see on most trees during daylight hours. They reflect great at night. Walmart usually has them this time of year and the price can't be beat.

 

Any idea what these are called? I'm having trouble finding them on the Walmart website.

[+BBWolf+3Pigs]

You might try the round thumbtack looking reflectors and see how they work. They are white on the face and are hard to see on most trees during daylight hours. They reflect great at night. Walmart usually has them this time of year and the price can't be beat.

 

Any idea what these are called? I'm having trouble finding them on the Walmart website.

 

I've tried the tacks from Cabela's.

 

They are no where near as good as the Fire Tacks.

Edited November 7, 2012 by BBWolf+3Pigs

[Mr.Yuck]

This one's not visited very frequently. We're talking maybe a few times a year. No park rangers here,; it's a small wooded area (local park). No way for anyone to complain, either, as it's part of a multi cache so no easy way to look it up. Houses are nearby, but most of the trail is not right next to houses so no concerns about flashlights shining in windows. The firetacks went missing before I adopted it. They have been missing for quite some time (over a year) before I replaced them. There's a section of trail which is overgrown and rooty where the firetacks were not removed. It seems to me to be someone local who walks these trails regularly. Not too many people would walk these trails unless they lived here.

 

Thanks for the info. I actually tried to find it in your hides, but didn't feel like clicking though all 30+ caches. Lots of fav points, you must be doing something right up there! Sounds kind of similar to my 2004 placed classic fire tack cache, no ranger or town contact info, and it only gets hit a few times a year.

 

I don't know, it depends. I can't tell from the OP if your idea behind putting your contact info out there is to come into contact with a municipal parks department type employee, or a classic "muggler"?

[+wimseyguy]

I'd suggest altering the route. Someone is walking the one you are using and doesn't want the tacks to be there.

[+NeverSummer]

Hate to say it, but have you considered that it might be a geocacher who is trying to save a few bucks by "borrowing without permission"?

[+The A-Team]

Hate to say it, but have you considered that it might be a geocacher who is trying to save a few bucks by "borrowing without permission"?

Well, I guess if a new night cache gets published near here soon, we'll have a prime suspect!

[+The_Incredibles_]

Hate to say it, but have you considered that it might be a geocacher who is trying to save a few bucks by "borrowing without permission"?

 

Doubt it. We're a small community. It's a big event if a new night cache is published.

[7rxc]

I would replace them high with the use of a step ladder...way out of reach! I also would probably just use reflective tape, instead of the unique reflective tacks. You can buy the red & white reflective tape at Lowe's or Home Depot. That way it would reduce the temptation of it being removed. I have several night caches and I have only used the tacks on one of them, all the others I used reflective tape that I can cut into any shape and then I use a staple gun to attach it to a tree or telephone pole with the use of a 6' step ladder. I have had no issues with anyone removing them.

 

Anyone complain about that? Of course telephone and power poles are not likely to give permission either since they don't allow anything to be attached to them... private ones might of course. Given the flack that people get for cup hooks and nails, it doesn't sound like a good method. Practical and common, yes.

 

I've made some 'easy' attach trail markers using tape like you did, but attached to those plastic bread bag closures in different sizes and colours. They just clip on to small branches etc. Easy on and off. Orientation can be a problem of course, but I don't use them for night caches, just trail markings on a temp basis. Tape or tack placed in the bottom of a small cylinder can be used to make a marker even more directional since it can be aimed and prevents light from the sides. You have to be aiming straight at it, up down and sideways.

 

Doug 7rxc

[+ras_oscar]

If you want to know where the tacks are going, try replacing one in the same spot and mounting a game camera inconspicuously nearby. Prhaps you have a racoon with a really blinged out nest!!!

[+NeverSummer]

Hate to say it, but have you considered that it might be a geocacher who is trying to save a few bucks by "borrowing without permission"?

Well, I guess if a new night cache gets published near here soon, we'll have a prime suspect!

I'm thinking more along the lines of where geocoins go--to the bottom of someone's junk drawer. People sure love shiney!

 

[+MartyBartfast]

Tape or tack placed in the bottom of a small cylinder can be used to make a marker even more directional since it can be aimed and prevents light from the sides. You have to be aiming straight at it, up down and sideways.

 

Doug 7rxc

 

Now that's a very clever idea, I like that

[+Mudfrog]

You might try the round thumbtack looking reflectors and see how they work. They are white on the face and are hard to see on most trees during daylight hours. They reflect great at night. Walmart usually has them this time of year and the price can't be beat.

 

Any idea what these are called? I'm having trouble finding them on the Walmart website.

 

Had to do some looking and found them here at Amazon.

 

Being white, you'd think they would stick out like a sore thumb. But as i said above, at least on most trees around here, they aren't that easy to see during the day. I know because i've tried to follow a couple of my own night caches during the day and had a heck of a time doing it. They reflect nicely at night but your light does need to hit them from the right angles.