Past Experience and Behavioral Choice Among Wilderness Users

Abstract

The amount of past experience in a recreation activity or setting has been associated with setting preferences, but has not been a good predictor of site choices. Research suggests that other factors such as social influences and constraints (Kuentzel & Heberlein, 1992) might have more influence than past experience or setting preferences on site choice. This study examined the association between recreational choice behavior, past wilderness experience, setting preferences, social factors, and constraints among a sample of wilderness users in Nopiming Provincial Park, Manitoba, Canada. Data were collected from self registrations and a mail questionnaire. In contrast to other studies, past experience was associated with site choices. Experienced users chose more difficult, less managed routes. However, the routes chosen were not consistent with stated user preferences. Of the social and constraint variables considered, only awareness of park routes was associated with choices. Socioeconomic variables and social group of participation were not associated with choices.

KEYWORDS:

• Wilderness recreation
• behavioral choice
• constraints
• past experience
• setting preferences