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TRAVEL BUGS - How They Work

Your first experience with a "Travel Bug" might be a bit confusing. Here is a quick overview of how these little cache critters work.


A Travel Bug normally consists of three things.

  • An ID Tag which is a metal 'dog-tag' with a six digit number on it
  • The actual trade item the tag is attached to
  • Sometimes a goal or destination description

The important thing to remember about a Travel Bug is that the people that released them like to see them move often and hope that the goals are met. If you are looking at a cache page and there is a Travel Bug listed, before you pick it up you should read the description of the Travel Bug so see if you can help it meet it's goal. If it doesn't have a specific goal then moving it along is a great idea.

After you pick up a Travel Bug, you need to log that you are now in possession of it. You can do that at Track Travel Bugs . In the top right hand corner of the page you will find a blank box to enter the six digit number found on the ID Tag. Enter the number then click the Search Button"

On the next screen you can then click on "FOUND IT? LOG IT!" in the top right corner, which takes you to the screen to post a new log entry for the Travel Bug. A common mistake people make is that they forget they need to enter the ID Number again on this page in "TRAVEL BUG TRACKING #" box. This is to ensure that people really do have the Travel Bug in their possession.

After you log that you have the Travel Bug, you can upload any pictures (Travel Bug owners LOVE pictures of their Travel Bugs).

Dropping off a Travel Bug

After you have enjoyed the Travel Bug, you will need to put it into another Geocache. This can be any active Geocache, one of your own, or another one that you find later, even a Geocache that is visited often. Remember thuogh that some Travel Bugs have destination goals so you should bear that in mind when you place a Travel Bug into another Geocache.

Dropping off a Travel Bug is far easier to do that picking it up. When you are logging a find for the Geocache you placed the Travel Bug in you will see at the bottom of the screen "Dropped off any Travel Bugs?" and below you will see a list of all the Travel Bugs in your inventory. Highlight the Travel Bugs you left in the Geocache, using the CTRL key to make multiple selections if required. That's it! The same can be done with "Post a Note" for caches that you have already found but returned to to make a "Bug Drop".

Sometimes you may have what is commonly referred to as a "Travel Bug Hotel" in your area. This is a Geocache that has been set up specifically for trading Travel Bugs and is a great place to place a Travel Bug so it will move quickly or if you don't know where to put it.

Starting a New Travel Bug

Maybe you think it would be fun to have a Travel Bug of your own. Many people love to watch their Travel Bugs wander around, or they use them to track items that are critical to another Geocache like a key that opens a lock on a Cache Box. There are a few things to consider when releasing a Travel Bug into the wild.
  • Do you want your Travel Bug to have a goal? If so, what is the goal?
  • What item will you use as your Travel Bug?
  • How do you get a Travel Bug ID Tag?
  • How do you register a New Travel Bug?

Goals - Not a requirement, you can simply have your Travel Bug wander the world meeting Geocacher after Geocacher. But if you want your Travel Bug to do something you should include that information with the Travel Bug itself as well as in the Travel Bug description online. A target destination, or list of places to visit are good examples. If you do not physically include this info with the Travel Bug you may find it moves to places that take it away from its goals. A slip of paper in a 'zip-lock' bag with the Travel Bug is a good way to describe the goals of a Travel Bug.

Travel Bug Item - Anything can be a Travel Bug, within reason, but size does matter. Remember that other Geocachers are going to have to fit your Travel bug into another Geocache, so large items do not work well as Travel Bugs. There are some notorious exceptions such as Cindy (The Cinder Block) but normally a small item is used.

How to get a Tag - Simply, you buy one. There are many places that sell them like GPS Central and the Tags are a must have to launch a Travel Bug.

How to Register - Simply go to Track Travel Bugs and in the top right corner is the Travel Bug Lookup area. At the bottom of that area is "Activate Your Travel Bug", click there and fill in the two boxes provided. When you receive a Travel Bug that has not been activated the packaging will have an Activation Code which is needed to verify you have the matching Travel Bug ID Number. After you successfully active your new Travel Bug you can then add a description for it to outline the Travel Bug's goals or appearance and other details. You can even upload a picture of it so people know what to expect. When that is completed you can place your Travel Bug into a Geocache and when it starts moving you will receive emails of it's adventures with every change in it's status.

Things to keep in mind regarding Travel Bugs

  • Please try to keep a Travel Bug moving. They get restless sitting on your desk or in your Geocaching bag. They live to explore and like to be in a Geocache where they can be discovered by other Geocachers.
  • People that release a Travel Bug have invested an emotional commitment along with approximately ten dollars. They enjoy reading the logs about their Travel Bug as much as you enjoy find them. If you are unable to move a Travel Bug within two weeks, sending a quick note to the Travel Bug owner is a nice touch and shows you care about the Geocaching community.
  • Remember to consider any goals a Travel Bug might have. Take a picture, move it in the right direction or trade it to someone that might be able to help it meet it's goals.

 

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