I have gained access to some great cave with a case of beerOriginally Posted by jlillest
Welcome to the Cave Diver's Forum.
I have gained access to some great cave with a case of beer
"Not all change is improvement...but all improvement is change" Donald Berwick
Kidnapping. Always works. If you take the landowners oldest son, or in Wakulla County, his favorite dog, then you are in. In Wakulla County, NEVER take the wife, you will be stuck with them and still not be able to dive.
"Have you ever noticed
When you're feeling really good
There's always a pigeon
That'll come shiat on your hood?" John Prine 4-7-2020
"Into the blue again; in the silent water
Under the rocks, and stones; there is water underground" Talking Heads
LOL
A number of landowner protection laws only apply if there is no money changing hands, something to keep in mind.
Generally be polite. Approach at first with only one or two people. Have your opening statement planned out, who you are, where you're from, what you do (cave diving), and what you'd like to do (dive their cave). You have about 20 seconds to make a first impression. Write down their name and contact information, give them a copy of yours.
A lot of folks first impression is that you're looking for "buried treasure" or you want to charge them for this somehow. Make it clear that it's a hobby/past time, and you're there for exploration. Offer to share any maps/photos/video etc... that you produce of the cave. If you have a DVD you can hand them that has some pretty passage on it that could be good if they show a lot of interest in it. If not it might just turn them off to the idea. If you're in an area with a lot of caves, getting on good terms with one landowner can open the door to other spots.
Most of all be polite and appreciative (as you should be), don't ever come across like it's your right to dive there. That'll piss people off faster than anything. And be prepared to talk for a while, about anything, they have to decide that you're ok. Ask them about the history of the land, how long they've been there. You come up with some interesting stories sometimes.
After gaining permission you still have a few things to do like stopping by and telling them about it afterward if they aren't there watching. Ask about things like where to park, is it ok to drive through the grass to get near the water, etc... Be discreet when changing clothes. And common sense stuff like don't litter, and leave gates like you found them. If you think it's worth going back ask them about arranging to come back, do you need to call or email first?
Also if it's a new cave it never hurts to ask them what they'd like to name it, or name it after them.
name it after me!
In my case, the owner doesn't live anywhere need the old mine. So I am planning on writing a letter but other projects have consumed my time and I'm a bit apprehensive about putting the wrong text in writing.
See you folks later. I'm off to dive LiteHedded Spring.
Whoever said money can't buy love never bought a puppy.
you can go ahead and name the first big room or neat restriction after yourself
Garrett's Poopshoot is already taken, just incase you were wondering.
I thought you were waiting to name it until you looked at the lead without any flow? Either way, anything beats James' blunder if I missed an obvious lead lol
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