Your GPS has led you to a fairly public place. You feel like someone is watching you... and you are probably right. Time to look for the cache... but how obvious should you be about what you're doing?
Time to use those ninja skills and use some stealth!
But why? Who cares if someone sees you?
If you draw attention to yourself while looking for the cache, non-cachers ("Muggles") may take notice. Then, when you leave GZ, curiosity gets the best of them and they check it out for themselves. This leads to containers being taken, moved or destroyed ("Muggled").
Cache Owners will ask that you use stealth by placing the stealth attribute on the cache listing. This attribute is usually placed on caches in public areas, like lamp posts, road signs, bus stops, popular parks, or near buildings. If you can't get the cache without being noticed, it would be wise to come back another time. If this happens, post a note to the cache listing to let the CO know that you were there, but the area was too busy to do a full seach.
Some ways that cachers use stealth:
-Disguises: Many of us have an orange safety vest and clipboard in our caching tool kit. No one thinks twice about someone dressed like that stopping at road signs.
-Talking about wildlife: If you cache with kids, this is a great time to teach them what you know about nature! Often, while looking for caches under bridges, you will come across wildlife, and taking pictures of said wildlife is encouraged. Sometimes you have to pretend to be more interested than you really are until a group of Muggles passes by and you can resume your search.
-Faking activities: Kneeling to tie your shoe, waiting for a bus, or a fake phone conversation are all normal activities that would go unnoticed.
Cache is a camo taped pill bottle in a tree a little ways off the trail. Please use stealth; even if no one seems to be around, this is a good time to practice. Make sure to write down the number written on the lid of the bottle, you'll need it for the final exam.
To pass Lesson 5, don't get caught, and sign your name and write an appropriate log.
Experienced Cachers: Feel free to share any stories of how you've used stealth.
The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to Jayne Collins of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/findapark.html