GPS for Dummies.pdf - Engineering Surveyor

134Part II: All About GPS Tupperware: Rectangular Tupperware or other plastic storage containersare also a popular choice but aren’t quite as rugged as an ammo can.Sometimes a geocacher won’t reseal the lid very well. Plastic containersare cheaper and more available than ammo cans, and you can easilymatch a size to go with any cache. Some cache hiders spray paint thecontainers to make them blend better with the surroundings.Location is everythingJust like in real estate or retail sales, location is everything when it comes toplacing a cache. After you select a container, figure out where to put it. Thelocation of your cache usually defines its success and popularity.I recommend doing some initial research to locate a general area to hide yourcache. For many geocachers, visiting a new place with some unique feature,incredible scenery, or just gorgeous view is every bit as important as findinga cache. Keep this in mind as you use maps, travel guides, or memories fromyour own explorations to help you select a good cache location.An important part of your homework is discovering where caches are and arenot permitted. The geocaching community tends to be very aware that thecontinued growth and success of the sport depends on good relationshipswith landowners.If you want to place a cache on private property, always first ask the owner’spermission. Because geocaching is so new, many people don’t know what itis, so take the time to explain how the sport works.Always check with a governmental agency before placing caches on its land.You can contact the agency directly, try a Google search to see whether itsgeocaching policies are published on the Web, or talk with other geocachersin your area to get their experiences in dealing with different agencies. Forexample, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management recognizes geocaching as arecreational activity and tends to be friendly toward cache hiders who wantto locate a cache in places other than wilderness or wilderness study areas.The U.S. National Park Service, on the other hand, prohibits placing geocacheson the land that it manages; if you’re caught hiding a cache on such land, it’sa federal offense. Yipes.After you figure out the land ownership issues, the next step is to ensure thatyour cache appears in the Geocaching.com database. The site has a series ofcommon-sense criteria that a cache must meet to be added to its database.Generally a cache can’t be