Taunting

[Guest Choberiba]

I'm toying with the idea of making up little signs to hide in the obvious geocache spots that say "Nope, not here" with the GC logo.

 

Does this sound amusing or annoying?

[Guest worldtraveler]

quote:

---

Does this sound amusing or annoying?

---

 

Yes.

But it's a good way to reassure that the cache has not been stolen from the suspect location.

 

I say have fun with it!

 

------------------

Worldtraveler

[Guest worldtraveler]

quote:

---

Does this sound amusing or annoying?

---

 

Yes.

But it's a good way to reassure that the cache has not been stolen from the suspect location.

 

I say have fun with it!

 

------------------

Worldtraveler

[Guest erik88L-R]

I did this at a cache that's buried in a stump hole. The little signs are hidden in the more common spots one would look first - like behind a tree. But to make it helpful and educational I added the compass bearing and distance to the cache on the notes. No one complained too loudly. ~erik~

[Guest glenn95630]

I think it can be done so it adds to the experience, but I also think certain 'taunts' could be mean and distract from the experience.

 

"Nope, not here" sounds fine.

 

One of the caches I found had a 'decoy' microcache nearby with a note inside. I found the decoy first and was amused by it (and impressed by all the work by the hiders - hollowed out logs etc. that I couldn't mention in the cache log).

[Guest scooterj]

Someone (I have no idea whether it was the original hider or a subsequent finder) placed a rubber snake about 50 feet from a nearby cache. When I first hunted that cache I spotted the snake and spent a good 20 minutes (if not more) searching that spot thinking that maybe my readings were off. From reading the logs it didn't look like I was the only person to fall for it.

[Guest scooterj]

Someone (I have no idea whether it was the original hider or a subsequent finder) placed a rubber snake about 50 feet from a nearby cache. When I first hunted that cache I spotted the snake and spent a good 20 minutes (if not more) searching that spot thinking that maybe my readings were off. From reading the logs it didn't look like I was the only person to fall for it.

[Guest alanshot]

I'm still looking for the small rubber snakes to put in the caches on the top of everything else. Imagine opening that tupperware and seeing a small garden snake ... too bad I couldnt be there to see it.

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by scooterj:

Someone (I have no idea whether it was the original hider or a subsequent finder) placed a rubber snake about 50 feet from a nearby cache. When I first hunted that cache I spotted the snake and spent a good 20 minutes (if not more) searching that spot thinking that maybe my readings were off. From reading the logs it didn't look like I was the only person to fall for it.

---

[Guest alanshot]

I'm still looking for the small rubber snakes to put in the caches on the top of everything else. Imagine opening that tupperware and seeing a small garden snake ... too bad I couldnt be there to see it.

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by scooterj:

Someone (I have no idea whether it was the original hider or a subsequent finder) placed a rubber snake about 50 feet from a nearby cache. When I first hunted that cache I spotted the snake and spent a good 20 minutes (if not more) searching that spot thinking that maybe my readings were off. From reading the logs it didn't look like I was the only person to fall for it.

---

[Guest navdog]

Well, if my friend found that rubber critter, she would never go geocaching with me again!

[Guest gmaxis]

One of my favorite finds last month was a cache with a life-like rubber tarantula on top of the cover. And since I myself have a pet Mexican red-knee, it really surprised me. Maybe the toy spider was meant to guard the cache but there was no mention not to take it, so I took it. It now sits beside my spider cage.

[Guest sbukosky]

I'd recommend avoiding any surprise items like toy snakes or spiders. As someone said, it could ruin the introduction of Geocaching to a new person or a child. On the other hand, a decoy might be interesting. I've done hidden transmitter hunts where we had a decoy transmitter that was not transmitting. Guys would find that and think the hunt was over. Uh Uh!

[Guest Mopar]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Choberiba:

I'm toying with the idea of making up little signs to hide in the obvious geocache spots that say "Nope, not here" with the GC logo.

 

Does this sound amusing or annoying?

---

I came across this at a cache once. Looked in the most obvious hiding spot. Found a note in a ziplock that said something to the effect of " Nope, its not here, but your pretty close, keep looking!" Thought it was the funniest thing in the world.

[Guest Mopar]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Choberiba:

I'm toying with the idea of making up little signs to hide in the obvious geocache spots that say "Nope, not here" with the GC logo.

 

Does this sound amusing or annoying?

---

I came across this at a cache once. Looked in the most obvious hiding spot. Found a note in a ziplock that said something to the effect of " Nope, its not here, but your pretty close, keep looking!" Thought it was the funniest thing in the world.

[Guest glenn95630]

I bought 5 rubber rattlesnakes at the dollar store a couple months ago and have since traded them at various caches. I assumed that there would be mild startlement at most, I hope I didn't make anyone jump too high. At one time I thought it would be interesting to have the snakes collect cachers names on their belly scales, but I didn't execute that idea.

 

The local Halloween cache had a big 'hairy' tarantula gaurding the cache - creepy and appropriate.

[Guest Pote]

I'm kinda opposed to this idea and the pens, too. My feeling is that we want to leave the least environmental impact as possible, and not junk up the great outdoors with plastic hidden under logs and in stumps. I would only feel comfortable with this if it was on my own property where I could monitor each sign or pen.

 

I hope I can influence folks to treat the cachezones respectfully. Just MHO.

[Guest tedoca]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Choberiba:

I'm toying with the idea of making up little signs to hide in the obvious geocache spots that say "Nope, not here" with the GC logo.

 

Does this sound amusing or annoying?

 

---

 

I'd cast my vote for amusing. Like Mopar, I would find it pretty funny and I would also know that at least I was in the general area.

 

Pote has a valid point too however. It is certainly worth taking that into consideration as well.

[Guest glenn95630]

mise to monitor his/her cache (and cache area). That is why geocachers don't consider caches litter. The finder has no responsibility to come back, therefore it should be considered litter.

[Guest jeo]

I have to admit that I did just that when searching for a cache. The cache was hidden under some river rock and not very easy to spot. In the area about twenty feet away I found a coffee pot lid (before I found the cache) and I left a card that said "nope not here!". After I found the cache I thought it was funny to leave the clue. (except maybe I could have said some more It was removed by the next cacher I guess they didn't think it was quite as funny.

Yes I am addicted and I have a wierd sense of humor.

[Guest jeo]

I have to admit that I did just that when searching for a cache. The cache was hidden under some river rock and not very easy to spot. In the area about twenty feet away I found a coffee pot lid (before I found the cache) and I left a card that said "nope not here!". After I found the cache I thought it was funny to leave the clue. (except maybe I could have said some more It was removed by the next cacher I guess they didn't think it was quite as funny.

Yes I am addicted and I have a wierd sense of humor.

[Guest Choberiba]

Glenn95630:What if every finder left a couple notes in a cache area?

 

Gimme a break, I'm not suggesting we start using trees as bulletin boards.

[Guest sunsetnkc]

I would have to say leave the cache and nothing else. With the trouble of getting an OK to just place it I think we would certainly get turned down if we said, oh and we are going to leave some notes and pens laying around too...

 

at least that's one man's opinion

[Guest Rangertrek]

Considering this is cache in and trash out, why leave anything else in the area. I like the idea and would be amused by a pen or note; but, like the previous post, a few notes and pens would add up!

[Guest Choberiba]

Rangertrek is concerned that: a few notes and pens would add up!

 

A) I never intended for everyone to mark their territory (with paper rather than pee) and was thinking it might be amusing if while looking inside of stumps and peering in knotholes, we'd see a little indication that we were not the first to poke around.

 

Even if I was a complete idiot and suggested that we all start leaving cards, pens, strobe lights, web cams, flatfish, or whatever else was handy at the moment around the cache site, very few of you would go about this in a distructive manner.

 

C) Were I or you or anyone with a shred of decency to notice that geocachers were destroying an area through momentos or heavy stomping on the local fauna. We'd say something and take action.

 

The last thing I want is for geocaching to turn into garbagecaching. I hope I haven't given anyone the impression that I've left hundreds of pens scattered all over because I'm too dadgum cheap to waste good pens.

 

Eric O'Connor

"What about photos? Can I leave photos?"

[Guest Pote]

Whoa, simmer down Choberiba. Nobody's slamming ya, just a couple of 'other side of the coin' opinions. It's a cute idea for the warmer/colder clues, I think that a couple of us see that an idea is great in moderation, but as it becomes super popular (as with all good ideas), it can become a problem.

 

An example is the US flag. Now nobody would say that the American flag is trash, right? But lately it has become just that, with scraps of fabric and plastic getting ripped off cars flying down the hiway. I'm sure everyone has seen it, antenna flags that have come loose and are laying in the breakdown lane of most every road in the country. Every person who put that flag on his/her car meant well - hey it IS a great idea! - and didn't realize it when it came off, but the fact remains that it is now roadside garbage. The first one I saw, I thought, man, what a shame - the American flag should not be 'roadkill'. Now I have seen so many, I just shake my head and think "another Walmart-shopping oxygen thief was too lazy to take care of his/her flag". Kinda sad really.

 

So that was all I was saying. I'm sure you did a good job of your placements. I'm just concerned about others who mimic the idea.

 

Hey, happy holidays to all!

 

[This message has been edited by Pote (edited 21 December 2001).]

[Guest nlazarus]

I agree with Pote, you asked for an opinion and you got. Obviously not everyone is going to agree with you and I agree leaving notes and pens lying around could easliy be considering littering. Especially as people tend to follow trends, wether they are good or not.

[Guest worldtraveler]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Choberiba:

Were I or you or anyone with a shred of decency to notice that geocachers were destroying an area through momentos or heavy stomping on the local fauna...

---

 

Ummm... did you perhaps mean *flora*? As I read your note, I suddenly had a vision of vibram-stomped chipmunks lying around a cache

 

------------------

Worldtraveler

 

[This message has been edited by worldtraveler (edited 21 December 2001).]

[Guest worldtraveler]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Choberiba:

Were I or you or anyone with a shred of decency to notice that geocachers were destroying an area through momentos or heavy stomping on the local fauna...

---

 

Ummm... did you perhaps mean *flora*? As I read your note, I suddenly had a vision of vibram-stomped chipmunks lying around a cache

 

------------------

Worldtraveler

 

[This message has been edited by worldtraveler (edited 21 December 2001).]

[Guest glenn95630]

The real problem is these dadgum chipmunks hiding nuts around everywhere with 'Chip was here' and 'Dale was here' stencils. Can't they use tupperware like everyone else? Where are my boots?

[Guest Choberiba]

Sorry if I seemed a little over the top.

 

I do appreciate all the opinions.

 

Negative feedback is probably more important than affirmations.

 

I think we all agree that we need to be very careful and responsible with our actions, public opinion could squish us were the tide to turn.

 

I don't believe that a few, small, well concealed objects are cause for alarm.

 

I do believe that everyone here has the right to remove items outside the cache if they think it's inappropriate.

 

I also believe that those who would rather not find extra-cache objects, have the interest of the hobby at heart.

 

[fauna talk] Either I was confused with flora, or Sigmund Freud is telling me to explore a new fetish.

[Guest Choberiba]

Sorry if I seemed a little over the top.

 

I do appreciate all the opinions.

 

Negative feedback is probably more important than affirmations.

 

I think we all agree that we need to be very careful and responsible with our actions, public opinion could squish us were the tide to turn.

 

I don't believe that a few, small, well concealed objects are cause for alarm.

 

I do believe that everyone here has the right to remove items outside the cache if they think it's inappropriate.

 

I also believe that those who would rather not find extra-cache objects, have the interest of the hobby at heart.

 

[fauna talk] Either I was confused with flora, or Sigmund Freud is telling me to explore a new fetish.

[Guest brokenwing]

*** CAUTION, OPINIONATED RESPONSE AHEAD. ***

 

*** PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK. ***

 

I think there is nothing wrong with extra notes or any other man made objects if they are placed with discretion BY THE CACHE HIDER. This is no different than what one would do in setting up a multi-cache. I do feel, however, that a SEEKER leaving manmade items in "obvious" locations is akin to littering. There is no guarantee that anyone will ever find this item, and it is not tracked as caches are, so it could potentially stay there until it degrades. For plastic and some metal items, that is a long, long time. Such items could also be easily moved or destroyed by animals or the elements, making the point of putting it in a specific location meaningless.

 

*** END OPINIONATED RESPONSE ***

 

Thanks,

brokenwing

 

------------------

http://www.cordianet.com/geocaching

[Guest madphatboy2]

as i was reading this thread yesterday, i liked what i read. i staged a multi cache today and with it i left other various film canisters with "taunting" notes in them. i would hope that anyone finding my cahce won't leave there own unless they are in the same manner. marked for geocaching and in some sort of recognizable container.

[Guest Choberiba]

GC26EC and GC2760 are the two caches where I left/hid a pen while in the role as seeker.

 

I'll refrain in the future, since I agree that there needs to be some level of control over what's left behind.

 

I'll keep an eye on the logs and nab them if nobody else does by February 1st.

 

I'll still make a few little

shrink-a-dink "nope, not here" signs for caches I'll place.

 

Thank you all for pointing out a few things I hadn't thought of.

 

Now, what do you feel about tiger traps?

[Guest madphatboy2]

i fully support tiger traps, i think that this would add a whole new meaning to the sport. can i be the first to set one?

[Guest jeo]

Tiger Trap? Sounds interesting? What am I missing?

[Guest Mopar]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Choberiba:

Now, what do you feel about tiger traps?

---

I am pretty upset with Tiger Maps. They used to be great, making all the little maps on the cache pages, and offering up all that data for free, but lately they have been down more then up.........

What?

Tiger TRAPS???

Oh.

Nevermind.

[Guest Choberiba]

MadPhatBoy2 fully support tiger traps

He wants to know: can i be the first to set one?

 

Sure! But you have to design cache icon as sort of a fair warning that they'll need some way of calling for help from inside the pit.

 

Another alternative would be to leave a cell phone at the bottom, something that can grab a signal on demand.

 

Not sporting would be to setup a webcam and a remote tazer, charging people $5 to watch the cacher dance with each click of a mouse.

 

Need caffeine, I'm grumpy before I've had my first cup-a-joe....

[Guest madphatboy2]

forget the icon, i like your idea of webcam and tazer. i'm always looking for a quick um. . .$5.

[Guest Choberiba]

Jeo: Tiger Trap? Sounds interesting? What am I missing?

 

I thought everyone would immediately get the reference to what a tiger trap is and what it looks like.

 

Think a big-o-hole dug in the ground near some trees. Deep enough that you need assistance from a removable object to climb out.

Cover the hole with narrow sticks and branches to form a mesh cover.

Cover the meshwork of wood with leaves that blend in with the surroundings and waa-laa

 

You have a tiger/geocacher/effective cyclist/eco-weenie/and anything heavier than a squirrel trap.

 

Kids, don't try this at home.

[Guest jbmccarthy69]

issing?

---

 

I thought it was in reference to Trapping a Cacher.