Lucas. Robert C. and Thomas J. Kovalicky. 

 1981. Self-issued wilderness permits as a use measurement system. USDA 

 For. Serv. Res. Pap. INT-270. 18 p. 

 Intermt. For. and Range Exp. Stn., Ogden, Utah 84401. 



A self-issued, mandatory visitor permit system was evaluated as a use 

 measurement system during its first year of operation in the Spanish Peaks 

 Primitive Area, Montana. Overall, 53 percent of all visitor groups obtained 

 permits. Length-of-stay was the factor most related to compliance. Overnight 

 visitors (campers) complied well; day-visitors did not, especially those making 

 brief visits. Self-issuing permit stations located up the trail performed betterthan 

 those adjacent to parking areas. Self-issued permits appear to have advantages 

 over voluntary trail registers for measuring use. Recommendations for raising 

 compliance, which would also apply to trail registers, are presented. 



KEYWORDS: wilderness, recreation, use measurements, permit systems, trail 

 registers, Montana. 



