initiation

Since we as cachers - whether in nature or in the city - do not move in a legal vacuum, we must of course also comply with the applicable laws. And especially when caching, you can sometimes be tempted to disregard them - be it out of ignorance of the legal situation or out of convenience. But since the vernacular already knows that ignorance does not protect against punishment, I would like to list and explain a few examples of situations in which a cacher needs to know what is appropriate. This is not only important for your own good conscience, but should alsopromote a positive image of the geocaching community to the outside world :

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nature reserves

In nature reserves in particular, there are often very beautiful spots that geocachers with the best of intentions want to prepare as cache locations and present to the cacher community as a destination worth seeing. However, this applies to these areas  Federal Nature Conservation Act  as well as the correspondingstate nature protection laws . Although each country can set different regulations for each area in the right of access and use, one can basically say: in nature conservation areas, one is almost always only allowed to enterthe paved and designated paths. Beaten paths, clearings, etc. are not paths. As a nature-loving cacher, you should always keep in mind that these laws were not made for fun, but to protect the animals and plants that live there. Therefore, an owner in particular should always remember to either hide a cache directly on the path in nature reserves or better only set up pure reading stations and hide the actual cache outside of the nature reserve.

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"Do not pass"

Even if the temptation may be great for some cachers who value points more than closeness to nature: a sign prohibiting passage also applies to geocachers! Even reducing the distance to be covered from 3 kilometers to just 100 meters is no exception to this rule. That's why we naturally stick to such prohibition signs as can often be found at the entrance to paved forest paths, for example. Fences - with and without electricity or spikes - also indicate private property. Anyone who thinks they are on a higher mission here not only risks losing their ability to reproduce, but also an unfriendly encounter with the owner.

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In traffic

Many a cache is right next to a road and "we could take it with us quickly". Because of sheer hunting fever, you shouldn't forget to keep your head open before you get carried away with traffic-obstructing or even traffic-violating manoeuvres. Sudden braking, turning or parking on federal roads are, for example, a no-go - not only for cachers. Particular caution is required in the dark and especially with children. Lamps, reflectors or even a high-visibility vest is not exaggerated near the road - the kids will even think it's cool...

And while we're on the subject of road traffic regulations, I would like toclear up one of the most popular misconceptions: If the sign "Anlieger frei" is posted at an entrance/road, many people will argue: "I'm allowed to drive in there because I have an issue ". However, this is a wrong interpretation, because the term has nothing to do with a "concern" in the sense of a wish/project, but comes from the place name.(Entitled) residents are those who live in a property adjacent to the road or who would like to visit the residents .

Finally, I would like to emphasize once again that although every cacher is responsible for complying with the applicable laws,the owner still bears a special responsibility : when hiding a cache, you should make sure from the outset that searching cachers do not get into the situation in the first place come to have to ignore or transgress laws. If you lay "clean" caches, nobody gets into a tricky situation.