Geocaching, the GPS-based treasure hunt that takes users of all ages on adventures, is a great way to spend time exploring nature. But it’s important to remember that where we’re exploring may be someone’s home.
The Fur-Bearers put together these three tips to make geocaching fun and reduce the impact on wildlife wherever you play:
- Use your voice to let wildlife know you’re nearby. Human voices are unique and distinct, and are often the best way for nearby animals to know you’re around – and thus prevent surprise or negative encounters. Talk out loud or sing a song to make sure you’re heard before you’re seen!
- Look before you leap. A cache hidden in a tree stump can make a weary or excited geocacher reach in for the quick find – but they may not find the cache they wanted. Spots that make for great cache hides are also sometimes great for food caches for various species, or temporary den sites. Take a peek into locations, behind rocks, and so on before trying to find a hidden cache!
- Stay on trails when advised. Going off trail is typically not a good idea, and at times can be outright illegal or dangerous. While some caches may be placed off trail, always follow local laws and regulations, particularly as many of these are in place to protect biodiversity and habitat for wildlife.
Are you a geocacher? Have you come across wildlife while seeking out a cache? Do you have a tip we should include in a future article? Let us know by commenting on our social channels or emailing us at info@TheFurBearers.com.
Geocaching ni GPS-msingi hazina uwindaji ambayo inachukua watumiaji wa umri wote juu ya adventures, na ni njia kubwa ya kutumia muda kuchunguza asili. Lakini ni muhimu kukumbuka kwamba mahali tunapochunguza huenda ikawa nyumba ya mtu fulani. The Fur-Bearers kuweka pamoja hizi tips tatu kufanya geocaching furaha na kupunguza athari juu ya wanyama wa porini popote kucheza: - Kutumia sauti yako kuruhusu wanyama wa porini kujua wewe ni karibu. Sauti za binadamu ni za kipekee na tofauti, na mara nyingi ni njia bora kwa wanyama walio karibu kujua uko karibu na hivyo kuzuia mshangao au kukutana hasi. Sema kwa sauti kubwa au uimbe wimbo ili uhakikishe kwamba umesikika kabla ya kuonekana! - Angalia kabla ya kuruka. Hifadhi iliyofichwa katika shina la mti inaweza kufanya geocacher aliyechoka au msisimko afike kwa ajili ya kupata haraka <unk> lakini wanaweza kupata hifadhi waliyotaka. Maeneo ambayo hufanya kwa ajili ya ngozi kubwa cache pia ni wakati mwingine kubwa kwa ajili ya caches chakula kwa ajili ya spishi mbalimbali, au maeneo ya muda den. Chunguza mahali fulani, nyuma ya miamba, na kadhalika kabla ya kujaribu kupata hazina iliyofichwa! - Endelea kwenye njia wakati unapoambiwa. Kwa kawaida si jambo zuri kuondoka kwenye njia iliyopangwa, na nyakati nyingine inaweza kuwa kinyume kabisa cha sheria au hatari. Ingawa baadhi ya hifadhi zinaweza kuwekwa nje ya njia, sikuzote fuata sheria na kanuni za mahali hapo, hasa kwa kuwa nyingi za hizi ziko mahali ili kulinda utofauti wa kibiolojia na makazi ya wanyama wa porini. Je, wewe ni mtafiti wa ardhi? Je, umekutana na wanyama-pori unapotafuta hazina? Je, una shauri tunalopaswa kutia katika makala ya wakati ujao? Tafadhali tuambie kwa kutupa maoni yako kwenye mitandao yetu ya kijamii au kwa kutupigia barua pepe kwenye info@thefurbearers.com.