Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex (BMWC) 2004 visitor preference and usage data along with characteristics and attitudes towards Fire Management

Research at the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex (BMWC) in Montana explored differences in recreation visitors’ attitudes towards the use of management-ignited prescribed fires in the wilderness. This data publication contains the results of both on-site and mail-back surveys during the summer and fall of 2004. Visitors to thirteen trailheads at the BMWC were asked to provide information on whether they used an outfitter, length of stay, mode of travel, education level, and previous experience level at the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. The 396 respondents to the on-site survey were then sent mail-back questionnaires asking questions regarding their stay and and visitor satisfaction with wilderness conditions encountered, both resource and social density conditions, and preference of various policies and fire management actions.The purpose of this study was to provide information on the characteristics of Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex uses, users, and user attitudes about the wilderness and its management. The objectives of this study were to: 1) Describe characteristics of the wilderness visit, including activities, methods of travel within the wilderness, timing of use, length of stay and camping practices; 2) Describe characteristics of visitors, including types of groups, party size, previous experience, residence, and socioeconomic descriptions; and, 3) Describe visitor attitudes, satisfaction with wilderness conditions encountered (both resource and social density conditions, and preference of various policies and management action). Originally, this project began in 2003 with a full survey conducted in that year- however the summer of 2003 was not a typical year for the BMWC. Fires and fire fighting activity led to direct closures of popular recreation areas, destinations, and trailheads. Smoke, access limitations, and safety concerns undoubtedly discouraged visitation in areas directly affected as well as across the whole complex. A decision was made to repeat the survey in 2004 in hopes of better understanding the impacts of fires and fire closures. Data from 2004 allows comparison to previous studies in 1970 and 1982 and an understanding of how visitations was affected while the fires were burning in 2003.This data publication was originally published on 03/15/2017. On 11/05/2020 minor metadata updates were made.