I'm curious what folks think about someone using my clue and location to place a box of their own...

Recently, I checked on a box of mine that was reported missing in April. The person who contacted me was positive it was gone so I put a note on the clue that the box was reported missing. Well, when I checked on it last week, my box was still resting peacefully in its hidey hole. However, the people who were sure they had "followed the clues perfectly" had placed a box of their own within inches of my hide, diverting all who looked for it since last spring.

As far as I know there is no clue posted for this box. The stamp image has nothing to do with the theme of my original box but it is poaching both my clue and location. How would you deal with this situation?

I would simply remove their box. if they ask you what happened to it, tell them poaching other people's boxes is bad manners, and poaching of your boxes will not be tolerated.

then give it back to them with a warning that if there is any further poaching of your boxes, their boxes will be confiscated permanently and not returned.

if they protest that you have "stolen" their box, you may sedately reply that they "stole" your clues, your hiding place, and your idea.

after you have removed their box, I would send a note to any finders since the incident, describe the poachers stamp, and advise them to return if they want the actual box stamp.

romana

...but it is poaching both my clue and location. How would you deal with this situation?

The person probably meant well, so I'd approach it delicately. I'd remove the box and would let them know that you checked and your box is actually there. You might offer to get their box back to them. If they're local you might make a game of it and hide it and give them the clues to go retrieve their box.

If they are using YOUR clues to get to THEIR box, and your box is actually in place, then I think something would "happen" to their box. I like the idea of rehiding the other person's box and send them the clues to find it.....far, far away.

I like the idea of rehiding the other person's box and send them the clues to find it.....far, far away

Of course they might retaliate in kind. I'm thinking maybe make 'your' clues unavailable for a short time. I'm not sure there's a simple answer to this.

Shiloh

I agree with the Lone Ranger. Tact is always the best policy.

Seriously? Why are people recommending REMOVING someone else's box?

That is extremly disturbing.

Could the poaching have not been just plain bad manners? Oversight? Stupid mistake?

The very same thing has happened to some of my boxes, and I would never remove someones box out of retaliation. There is always a reason, usually a newbie mistake or just plain brain deadness. Even if the person did the misdirection out of spite...why answer in kind? Take the high road.

Funhog...I trust you have much more savvy and class then to remove someone's box for them...just to teach them a lesson.

The only reason I can see for removing a box is the impending doom of the box in question, such as, flood, construction, or pzcut eating zombies.

Funhog...I trust you have much more savvy and class then to remove someone's box for them...just to teach them a lesson. As for your box, I would keep it where it is, with your clues in place. They can fix it, and if they don't you can choose to move your box...or not.

As far as I know there is no clue posted for this box. The stamp image has nothing to do with the theme of my original box but it is poaching both my clue and location. How would you deal with this situation?

I would remove the other persons box, contact them and tell them that your box is right where it belongs, and next time would they please contact you for permission before they try to help by putting a box of there own there. I would let them know that what they may have been trying to help but it is not appropriate with out your permission to do so. Then ask where should you send there box.

I would be nice to start with, they may have been just trying to help. It would be good to educate them.

Mystic Dreamer

If they are using YOUR clues to get to THEIR box, and your box is actually in place, then I think something would "happen" to their box.

Maybe I'm not understanding it, the way I read it is, the finder couldn't find Funhog's box and assumed it was missing. So in their misguided way they probably thought they were doing a service by putting a stamp where they thought the missing box was supposed to be. That way people could find a box. (I'm not a fan of this practice, I personally feel it's better to retire the box if it's missing rather then replace it with any stamp). As far as I understand from Funhog's post the finders did not plant a new box then copy and paste Funhog's clues into their new box description and then post the new box on AQ or LBNA. Am I correct FH?

I too read it as they thought her box was missing and may not realize it may not be a polite thing to place a box so close to a "former" spot.

It would been have wiser of them to have her confirm that it was in fact missing before placement.

I would write them a note and explain to them that her box is just fine and that poaching is considered rude in the world of letterboxing and since people notice both poaching and "too close" placing (I don't know the term, if we even have one for putting a box too close to another.) other will considered it rude of them and ask that them move it along.

slick kitty

As far as I know there is no clue posted for this box.

Maybe it has some F restrictions ? Sorry Hog, I just couldn't help myself.

Before you do anything I would make sure that there is no clue to their plant. If there is no clue then just remove it as they probably placed it there to help you. If there is no clue then they would have no idea that the box was removed by you as you would be getting any notification regarding status.

Don

gah! I hate when I miss my mistakes...sorry to repeat myself in that post!

I have a question along the poaching lines. What if you use someone elses cluse that are very old and the box is known to have been missing for years and you do a tribute to the box that use to be there? That's kind of what's been knocking around my brain for some clues to a historic (i.e. one of the first planted in WI) box. The clues are still floating around but the box is long gone. I'd like to maybe find someone who has the stamp image and recarve it and plant a box using the clues with the recarved stamp.

Would this still be poaching? Do you think this is a good idea?? I don't think the original planter is in the game anymore so it would be hard to find that person and ask.

The clues are still floating around but the box is long gone. I'd like to maybe find someone who has the stamp image and recarve it and plant a box using the clues with the recarved stamp.pugnasties

That is what adoption is all about. Adopt the Letterbox, that gives you access to the original clues and then you can replant and edit clues if necessary.

First you should determine if the letterboxer is still active and try every method to contact that letterboxer. The clues may be in the 'basement' so you might want to start there.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/letterbox-basement/

Don

Seriously, she said is wasn't listed anywhere!!!!!! So, is it really a box or is it just trash that resembles a letterbox???? (said while rubbing chin)

I'm guessing that it isn't marked as a Hitch Hiker or some such animal? Y~K b

I tend to agree with the idea of removing their box, but since they were bold enough to steal your clues with no misgivings, what would keep them from out and out stealing your box with no misgivings? I am sorry, but I think you are caught between a rock and a hard space. I would hate to think of the retribution they would take out on your box because they are mad at you for pulling their box from YOUR clue. What a wonderful, wonderful world . . . . .

since they were bold enough to steal your clues with no misgivings, what would keep them from out and out stealing your box with no misgivings?

I'm sorry, too--perhaps nothing will sate a malcontent. However, I don't believe most people think that way. In the absence of proof, malicious intent is supposition, a hypothesis unfounded. I'm posting this from CT where malicious 'box thievery was perpetrated in several locations, more than once over the last year by some malcontent(s). The perp(s) remain unknown, and still we 'box and plant.

There is a learning curve to this obsession, and it is longer/more shallow for some of us than others. As to a "poacher" I prefer to think charitably of their motive and, until proven otherwise, give the benefit of the doubt--make contact before judgment.

YMMV,
Connfederate

What if you use someone elses cluse that are very old and the box is known to have been missing for years and you do a tribute to the box that use to be there?

Unless there's a very historic box (such as the first planted in a given state or something), I wouldn't bother replacing a missing box. Open up the space for something new and different. Boxes aren't meant to last forever, even if that's most people's natural urge to do so.

Let it go.... I'll admit, I've been guilty of replacing other people's boxes who seemed to quit the hobby, but I've kicked the habit. Just let it go and plant something completely new. =)

As for the original poaching question, I wouldn't immediately rip out the offending box. Something rash like that could cause retaliation. Asking nicely for it to be removed would probably be more effective. Or don't replace your box at all and retire it completely. (I'm much less inclined to replace my own boxes nowadays, much less replacing other people's boxes.) Or replace the box and let the other box be a plug hole (is that what that's called?) Hole plug? Something like that.... An unlisted bonus box? =) Guess for me, it would depend on the box that was poached to decide what I'd do about it.

-- Ryan

Maybe it has some F restrictions ?

EXACTLY what I was thinking!

Funhog,

My gut instinct is that the folks who "followed the clues perfectly" but couldn't find your box placed another box there because they thought yours had gone missing and they wanted other folks searching for your box to find something and not come up empty handed.

Wingfoot

My gut instinct is that the folks who "followed the clues perfectly" but couldn't find your box placed another box there because they thought yours had gone missing and they wanted other folks searching for your box to find something and not come up empty handed.

That's what it sounded like to me. If it were "poached" then I would expect that the planter posted a new box in their name on AQ or LBNA and copied and pasted Funhog's clues into their description of how to get to the box.

Hey Hog, If the "poachers were acting in good faith (which it sounds as if they might have been) I think I would explain the situation to them and expect they would quickly understand that their good faith effort was misguided and remove the box to be replanted somewhere else (with its own set of clues). Alternately, make it into a bonus box and move it a reasonable distance away with directional clues in your box.

Just my two cents worth,
heyokah man
(who knows that Funhog's clues and hides can be wickedly tricky)

I have used the term "poaching" here as it is defined in the AQ glossary, with no pejorative intent. I'm sure that the folks who left their box in my spot were doing it to be sure later searchers had something to find. However, since my box was still there, the six or so groups who found their box (which was out in the open, incidentally) failed to even look for mine.

The hiders left no contact info, are not listed on LbNA or AQ as letterboxers. I have no way to make contact with them. I know they meant well but I believe their "replacement box" is unnecessary and in fact diverts folks from the original letterbox placed in 2002. Funhog

This may be kind of askew from this thread...
but, I have looked and looked for this tricky Original letterbox and have never been able to find it. I have called "Uncle" a long time ago. (I know, that does not speak well for my hunting ability. But it does speak well for Funhog's tricky hide ability)
However! Now that there is another clue. i.e. the poacher's box is "within inches" of the Original Letterbox. Maybe I'll be able to find the Original. Hmmmm, I may have to give this one another go.

Hope it all works out well for you Funhog.
Sincerely, Sondog

I appreciate your honesty in admitting to not being able to find boxes on more than one try. I was thinking I was the only one who was logging in Attempts (or at least publicly willing to admit I can't find the darn things!) You have given me the hope to keep on trying! I've never tried a box by Funhog (not exactly sure what state they're even in), but I have found one planter out here that gives me fits with their clues! I'll keep on trying . . .

Thanks for the encouragement.

What if you use someone elses cluse that are very old and the box is known to have been missing for years and you do a tribute to the box that use to be there?

I don't disagree with Ryan but for an example of this tribute, Lightnin' Bug and I have both planted tribute boxes to replace missing boxes from one of the original groups in NJ. Search for clues with REDUX in the title. We both attributed the original clues to the original planters.

Also, with regard to finding a box with no clues (although this doesn't apply in FunHog's situation), just because you can't find the clues, doesn't mean there are none.

Edited to add: It looks like several people have planted REDUX boxes. Check it out.

My has this day been a twist of fate or what.
Snakeboy and I got out and looked for Funhog's letterbox again. Snakeboy being the brillant son that he is, pointed out the correct location for the letterbox that I have been overlooking for ahhhh, well, way toooo long. So we found the poaching letterbox with no trouble. However! we failed again to find Funhog's Original Letterbox for this location! It VEXES me still! Well after smacking my head for a time and a time and a half.... I cried "Uncle" again. (I know it must be still there. Funhog had just checked on it.)
So down the hill we go. (My head hanging low...)
We get home and I go online and check my email and find a really interesting one.
You see I had a letterbox on the same Hill that Funhog's is on. (different locations) It went missing this early spring and being the preoccupied, lazy sort, not really wanting to sacrifice another box to muggles, I have hesitated to replace it.
Well, this email was a notification from well meaning souls that they had replaced my letterbox for me. Have a great day.
So, being who I am, I wrote back, hoping not to sound to hard.

"Thank you but NO!
I have been meaning to replace it myself and just have not had time to do
so.
For your information the proper steps to follow if adopting a letterbox is:
1. Notify the original owner to see if they want you to replace the box or
perform maintainance for them.
2. Only replace a letterbox if you have permission by the original owner.
If this fails, then it may be possible to adopt the letterbox and replace it
without original owner approval. Or place a new letterbox with a new title
in the hiding place.
I know you mean well but if you do it this way it is concidered poaching.
Please remove your replacement box. Or when I replace My letterbox, I will
remove it so I can give it back to you.
Sincerely, Sondog"

Well that's were this day has left us. Not sure if my replacers are the same ones trying to help Funhope but, they are trying to mean well. Hope I am on the right track and have properly enlightened the unaware poachers.

As far as finding your Original letterbox Funhog, next time you are in town, give me a shout and I'll go up with you to check on it. I obviously need your help ~Sondog