Maumee State Forest Information

Discussion of geocaching land use

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TeamMina
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Maumee State Forest Information

Post by TeamMina »

We got an email reply to out letter to the Maumee State Forest HQ in Swanton today. Not very promising for future caching opportunities.
Here it is in total:

Dear Michael and Sheryl Grauman,

I received your letter requesting to place a geocache on Maumee State Forest. Geocaching has been permitted in the past thru our “Special Use Permit� process. You would need to fill out a Special Use Permit Application that I can provide to you and you would need to fill it out and send back to me. Currently there is a $50 fee for the processing of the Special Use Permit Application.

Our Division of Forestry as a whole, on a statewide basis, is reviewing the goecaching concept and as it relates to Special Use Permits. Earthcaching instead of geocaching is being strongly considered for future requests on state forests. The $50 fee is also under review.

I would advise holding off on this request for now. There is a chance that only earthcaches will be allowed and the fee may be eliminated. You may want to re-contact me in 3-4 months to see where we are at in this review process.

Thanks for your request. If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call.



Don Schmenk, Forest Manager

Maumee State Forest

3390 County Road D

Swanton, OH 43558

419 822 3052
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cheechgang
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by cheechgang »

swell
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ScouterJoe
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by ScouterJoe »

State forest land can only be used for hunting, horseback riding and ATV's, not for simply enjoying the forest. Maybe if we promised to shoot the cache.
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GoodDog
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by GoodDog »

ScouterJoe wrote:State forest land can only be used for hunting, horseback riding and ATV's, not for simply enjoying the forest. Maybe if we promised to shoot the cache.
Hey, that was my idea :evil: I actually talked to someone at the Columbus HQ years ago and suggested that. Their reply was "geocaching is not in our mission statement". Really ticked me off at the time. Still does. But I try not to show it. :blowup:
I often fail.
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TeamMina
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by TeamMina »

We don't do much with earthcaches, but not quite sure what kind of earthcache you can do in a forest.
Go to posted coords, take picture of some type of element. Then find and ID six different types of trees by sending along pics of the leaves?
Take a picture of 5 people on horseback, and include history of how horses helped tame the land.
Maybe we should do more of them first.
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TeamMina
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by TeamMina »

We sent an email Monday to see if any decisions have been made yet.
Looks like we'll know soon:

Mike and Sheryl,
Thanks for the reminder email. I will be attending a meeting this coming Monday, July 7th, which should provide some clarity on this subject. I will give you a follow up email next week.

Thanks for your patience.

Don Schmenk, Forest Manager
Maumee State Forest
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TeamMina
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by TeamMina »

We got the email from Don Schmenk, Forest Manager, Maumee State Forest today. He has been very helpful, and quick with e-mail responses. Get the feeling he'd be good to work with if anyone wishes to work with this initiative:

Mike and Sheryl,

It has been decided to not allow Geocaching, but instead visual earthcaching where a unique natural feature is used as a target spot verses a container. Another name for earthcaching is “waymarking.� If you have not already, check out http://www.waymarking.com

For each earthcache placed on Maumee State Forest, you will need to fill out a “Special Use Permit� (SUP) application. The SUP application is fairly simple and there will be no fee charged for this SUP application. I have the SUP applications here on file at the Maumee State Forest HQ or I can email you an electronic copy.
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by cheechgang »

:::sigh:::
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ScouterJoe
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by ScouterJoe »

I didn't know waymarking and earthcaches were the same. huh. It's good to learn new things. It's to bad he didn't
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by GoodDog »

Gotta love it. They want a permit to do a virtual cache. :roll:
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by TeamMina »

Guess you could still use it as part of a multi, just so long as the final isn't on Forest property.
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by Mighty_Mo »

Our tax dollars at work
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ScouterJoe
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by ScouterJoe »

I'm back to thinking we have to just shoot the cache
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by cheechgang »

I am extra sad...
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Re: Maumee State Forest Information

Post by T-Hunter »

I think they are just in need of being educated on this thing. That seems to be the problem but finally people are starting to learn more and more about this fine hobby.
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