NorthWest Arkansas Cachers

Always carry the following (besides your GPS unit):

bug dope (100% deet)
extra batteries (invest in rechargable batteries with a car charger)
writing implement
head lamp (preferably) / flashlight (at least)
a good compass
'swag'.....trade items
simple first aid kit
water
all stowed away in either a small backpack or fanny pack
These items are nice to have:

cell phone
two way radios (channel 2....according to geocaching.com)
camera
powerbars or other energy snacks
camelback
hiking stick/poker
PDA with all the fixin's
knife or leatherman

Now that we are equipped: How about some tricks that may help you find caches a little 'easier'.

A gps unit is great for getting you to the 'spot' or cache vicinity....but, often, when approaching final destination (within 100'), do the following: Stop, take a nice deep breath and relax. Now look around you and think.....'where would you hide a cache here?' Think like a geocacher....especially like a NWAC geocacher!
Remember the poker? A nice 'pokin'' stick or pole can come in handy, especially in the fall when leaves are everywhere, often covering up that little treasure or in the summer when things might bite.
Have every bit of information that you can find on the particular cache that you are seeking on hand: logs, hints, topos, etc. You don't necessarily have to use them right off....but, as you fumble around, these will be a god-send and often save you from trudging away dejected.
Know your cache hider! Each cacher often has their own little 'technique' when hiding caches. This will come with experience.
Are you having problems with your GPS unit in dense tree cover? Jumpy readings, poor satellite reception? Try this: Before entering tree coverage (and assuming you are within a reasonably close distance from cache), get a good read on your GPS (with good accuracy). Once you have that, break out your compass (yes, compass). Line up your compass so that the North is lined up with the needle, using the bearing from your GPS (ie. 135 degrees), move the directional arrow on your compass to same bearing, and try walking in straight line.....often, a good compass will come equipped with a 'sight'. Or, pick out a obvious object (a tree, boulder, etc) and head for that. You can count your paces and/or continue using GPS to at least measure distance traveled.
This techique might take some practice, but can often be quite handy.

Only thing I can think of to add to this is a good pair of gloves. I have been searching for one and ran across a nice snake... don't know if it was poisonus or not, didn't stick around to find out, but gloves will give you a little more protection from the natural element.

Thanks for the good tips. As a newbie, any suggestions are valuable. You really should post these tips up front for all newbies to see and learn from the experienced cachers. Now to begin my backpack of items.

Regardless of what I carry I find I always need something different. Murphy's Law maybe. One thing I do keep in my bag is a waterproof container of matches. When all other items fail and I am lost and looking at spending the night in the deep dark woods, I want a fire.