Measuring managers' perceptions of llama use in wild areas - data from 1993

This data publication contains the results of a 1993 survey of Forest Service and Park Service managers across the United States and their perceptions of llama use in wild areas. Over 200 mailback surveys were returned from managers representing more than 150 different wilderness areas and 25 states. Questions were related to manager perceptions about trends on llama use, seriousness of impacts, current llama management strategies, and specific management challenges anticipated. Additional questions related to other pack animals were also included.The Wilderness Act (PL 88-577) directs federal agencies responsible for wilderness to preserve natural conditions. Wilderness should generally appear to have been affected primarily by forces of nature. To meet these goals, managers must adjust their programs in response to changes in recreational use of pack stock. The use of llamas as pack animals by visitors has increased over the last decade and will presumably continue to grow in the future. The purpose of this study is to attempt to understand manager perceptions of the extent that llama use threatens wilderness conditions and how they are managing llama users. Specific objectives of this study are to compare perceptions about llama use for managers with areas of heavy, light, or no llama packstock use, and to compare manager perceptions of llama use with perceptions visitors expressed in a survey conducted by Utah State University.Original metadata date was 6/30/2016. Minor metadata updates on 12/19/2016.