New Bob study gives thumbs down to permits

Hungry Horse News

The majority of visitors to the Bob Marshall Wilderness still oppose the idea of having to acquire permits for backcountry camping according to the results of a 2003-2004 visitor use survey.

This data was first presented at the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex Public Meeting this spring and was discussed in detail by Steve McCool, a researcher from the University of Montana.

Lessons learned from the research were highlighted, and the reaction to the possible issuance of permits was one of the main points that has remained constant from the first survey, done in 1970.

The surveys, which are conducted every 10 to 12 years, delve into a variety of topics that include mode of travel, length of travel and even age and education level of the visitors.

Spotted Bear District Ranger Deb Mucklow said that the results of the most recent survey weren't particularly surprising and that most of the changes in visitor use were expected.

"Things hadn't changed significantly from when it had been conducted before," she said. "No big surprises, it was just kind of reconfirming some of the same basic values."

The values and statistics that remained unchanged were the opinions on the permits, the motivations for visitation and the quality of the wilderness area.

Statistics that increased were the level of visitor education, the number of visits per year and the average age of the visitors.

Mucklow said that none of the findings were reason for worry, especially not the permits. There are standards for usage that include barriers that must be met before permits would be issued and Mucklow said the numbers aren't close to being approached.

"The permits weren't a problem," she said. "Permits are one of the tools we could put in if we started having conditions that were beyond the acceptable use patterns… People here are used to having the freedom to go when they want."

Even the increasing average age was not reason for worry as Mucklow said she thinks younger individuals just have more entertainment choices for now, but did wonder about the possible future commitment.

"Is there the commitment to having the wilderness in some of the younger generations coming?" she asked.

Mucklow said that generally all the findings concurred with past studies.

"Overall, things were similar," she said.