The best way to store caches is in places no one would ever think of stashing them
I found that stashing them in and on police and government property are the best way to ensure their safety

Stashing stuff in trafficked areas is generally a bad idea. Also, stashing stuff in caves isn't to smart either, if the people don't get your stuff the animals probably will. Bury your stuff, and if it can't survive being buried buy better stuff, that's my take on cashing.

If your stashing things for later use, I have done it with traps...so I didn't have to carry them back a few miles to the cabin, but I had a small bottle of oil and lubed them up good, and then places them in a bag and stashed them under a rock. I didn't get back to get them for several weeks..it was almost 3 months, because I forgot about them...well they were just fine and had no rust or anything on them...and noone found them...atleast noone that would steal them.