FLOODING FORCES CHANGE IN GLEN ELDER GEOCACHE COORDINATES

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Park manager snags, relocates floating geocache boxes

GLEN ELDER — Due to flooding at Glen Elder Reservoir, locations for Glen Elder State Park’s caches in the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) geocache contest have changed. The original sites are now under water, and may be for quite some time.

The park manager was able to retrieve floating geocache boxes and reset them, so geocachers can still participate in the contest. New coordinates for the first cache box are N 98° 30.065 W 98° 19.359. Geocachers with questions should phone the park office at 785-545-3345 or KDWP’s Pratt Operations Office at620-672-5911.

Now in its fourth year, the KDWP geocaching contest began May 27. From then until Nov. 1, the game is to find two hidden caches at each Kansas state park, as well as a few other locations. The coordinates of one cache at each site and the official statewide KDWP Geocaching Entry Form is posted on the KDWP website,www.kdwp.state.ks.us. (Click “Other Services/Outdoor Activities/Geocaching.”)

Participants use hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) to locate and open the first cache, where they will find the coordinates of the second. Upon finding the second cache, the participant signs a log sheet and takes a certificate. Participants who show the certificate to that park office will receive a park-specific location ink pen. Cachers must retain each certificate to turn in with the downloadable entry form for point verification toward prizes.

KDWP GEOCACHE NEWS CORRECTION

In the KDWP news story dated 5/26/11 and entitled STATE PARK TREASURE HUNTERS ON THE LOOSE, there were a few errors that are worth noting. First, the contest does not begin until noon, May 27. Therefore, coordinates won't be posted until then. Cachers will then be able to download the entry form and won't have to go to the state park office to get one. They can still get the pens at the park office, but they won't have to have anything validated there. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. The release has been corrected on the KDWP website and now reads as follows:

STATE PARK TREASURE HUNTERS ON THE LOOSE
Geocache contest in fourth year; prizes include annual camping permit, 14-day camping permit, and annual vehicle permits; contest runs through Nov. 1
PRATT — Now in its fourth year, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) geocaching contest will begin May 27 in Kansas state parks. From then until Nov. 1, the game is to find two hidden caches at each Kansas state park, as well as a few other locations. The coordinates of the one cache at each site and the official statewide KDWP Geocaching Entry Form will be posted on the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. (Click “Other Services/Outdoor Activities/Geocaching.”) at noon, May 27.

Participants use hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) to locate and open the first cache, where they will find the coordinates of the second. Upon finding the second cache, the participant signs a log sheet and takes a certificate. If they show the certificate to that park office, they receive a park-specific location ink pen. Cachers must retain each certificate to turn in with the downloadable entry form for point verification toward prizes.

Prizes will be awarded based first on how many points are earned. Every second geocache found at each participating location will be worth one point. Prizes will be awarded on a point and time system after the contest ends Nov. 1, though cachers may turn in their entry form whenever it is completed. One first place prize of an annual camping permit for 2012 will be awarded to the first participant to turn in all 31 second-cache certificates. The next two geocachers to earn all 31 points and submit their forms win 14-day camping permits for 2012. Other geocachers who earn all of the 31 points and who turn in their forms, including each second cache certificate, to the Pratt Operations Office by Nov. 1 will receive a 2012 annual vehicle permit.

This activity is a great way to introduce new patrons to state parks and other KDWP areas, as well as provide new activities for regular customers. Youngsters are usually adept at using electronic hand-held devices and find this activity doubly interesting when it gets them outdoors.

STATE PARK TREASURE HUNTERS ON THE LOOSE

Geocache contest in fourth year; prizes include annual camping permit, 14-day camping permit, and annual vehicle permits; contest runs through Nov. 1
PRATT — Now in its fourth year, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) geocaching contest began May 17 in Kansas state parks. From then until Nov. 1, the game is to find two hidden caches at each Kansas state park, as well as a few other locations. The coordinates of the one cache at each site are posted on the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. (Click “Other Services/Outdoor Activities/Geocaching.”)
Participants use hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) to locate and open the first cache, where they will find the coordinates of the second. Upon finding the second cache, the participant signs a log sheet and takes a certificate to that park office. Then they receive a park-specific location ink pen and the official statewide KDWP Geocaching Entry Form. Cachers must retain each certificate to turn in with the downloadable entry form for point verification toward prizes.
Prizes will be awarded based first on how many points are earned. Every second geocache found at each participating location will be worth one point. Prizes will be awarded on a point and time system after the contest ends Nov. 1. One first place prize of an annual camping permit for 2012 will be awarded to the first participant to turn in all 31 second-cache certificates. The next two geocachers to earn all 31 points and submit their forms win 14-day camping permits for 2012. Other geocachers who earn all of the 31 points and who turn in their forms, including each second cache certificate, to the Pratt Operations Office by Nov. 1 will receive a 2012 annual vehicle permit. This activity is a great way to introduce new patrons to state parks and other KDWP areas, as well as provide new activities for regular customers. Youngsters are usually adept at using electronic hand-held devices and find this activity doubly interesting when it gets them outdoors.

GPS TECHNOLOGY HELPS HUNTERS FIND HOTSPOTS

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KDWP offers Garmin GPS and Google Earth tools to locate Walk-In properties
PRATT — Are you one of those hunters who loves to use technology to help with the hunt? When it comes to finding out where to hunt, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has just what you’re looking for. Both the Garmin GPS (global positioning) and Google Earth files provided on the KDWP website can help hunters find the locations of KDWP Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) properties. For all the details, click KDWP Info/Locations/Hunting & Fishing Maps by County/2010 Fall Hunting Atlas/GPS Information & Files. You’ll find instructions for adding WIHA maps to Garmin GPS units, instructions for adding WIHA to Google Earth (GE), and links for uploading necessary software.

Two different files are available for Garmin units. One file contains only the WIHA tracts and has a transparent background so that it can overlay existing maps (such as TopoUSA Quads). For those who do not have map layers for Kansas already on their GPS units, a second file available for download will add the WIHA tracts and a base map. This file includes all WIHA tracts, streams, lakes, roads, and incorporated cities within Kansas.

Downloading and using Google Earth software requires an active Internet connection. GE is a virtual globe, map, and geographic information program. The basic version of GE is currently available as a free software download. Once installed, GE will automatically connect to Google’s servers each time you open the program, streaming terabytes of geographical data (including seamless imagery) in the format of a 3-D globe to your Internet browser.

The file named “KS_WIHA_Fall_2010” is available for download and allows users to add the tract boundaries for WIHA properties to the digital globe. While the imagery on the 3-D globe is not real-time, it does provide a good idea of the terrain and, to an extent, the land-cover of the WIHA tracts.

WIHA tracts are available only during the access dates indicated on posted signs or in the 2010 Kansas Hunting Atlas, available at any KDWP office. In addition, landowners may opt out of the program after the seasons have started; in this case, signs will be posted marking the area as closed. Aside from access dates, some WIHA tracts have restrictions prohibiting firearm deer hunting. Restrictions will be posted on the areas and will take precedence over those listed or omitted in the maps. Citations can be issued for violating these restrictions. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and avoid entering areas questioned until you have checked with a KDWP official.

For more information, contact Jake George, private lands coordinator, KDWP, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124, phone 620-672-0760.