trail and vehicular traffic counters yielded use estimates in our study that were not 

 as precise as those obtained using regression and correction- factor estimation tech- 

 niques, our tests using the counters are encouraging. 



Development and testing of improved trail counting devices are needed and recom- 

 mended. Directional, printout counters, that would record time and direction of move- 

 ment as well as distinguish between hikers and animals [domestic stock and big game) , 

 would be particularly valuable. However, counters must be used in conjunction with 

 other techniques, such as registration stations, for collecting information about the 

 trail user because counters provide only simple counts of passing objects and would be 

 useless for obtaining such information as length of stay. Automatic cameras could 

 provide much more data than counters, but a registration system appears to be essential 

 for obtaining descriptive information, such as length of stay , residence of visitors , etc . 



Raising Registration Rates 



More precise use estimates can be expected if the rate of registration can be 

 raised. The main underlying reason for not registering appears to be a misunderstanding 

 by users of the importance of registration information to wilderness management and a 

 failure to see any personal advantage to registration. Registration seems to be per- 

 ceived by many as a casual, voluntary activity. An educational and informational 

 program to "sell" wilderness users on the need for registering seems needed. The 

 management value and personal safety advantage of registering might be stressed in the 

 message on signs; in map brochures made available for each area; in personal contacts 

 with outdoor clubs and outfitters; in newspapers, and outdoor and conservation magazines; 

 and in conservation education programs. 



The optimum solution to increasing registration rates probably would be to make 

 registration mandatory. A registration system would provide the information necessary 

 for improving wilderness planning and management- -enough, we feel, to offset any slight 

 inconvenience for visitors it might produce. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area has had 

 mandatory registration for several years, and the Forest Service began requiring regis- 

 tration in National Forest Wildernesses in California during the 1971 season. 



Improvements in location and placement of registration stations and signs should 

 be made, particularly if registration remains voluntary. The subdued gray and brown 

 colors of stations and signs used during 1968 did little to attract attention. These 

 standard Forest Service sign colors were intended to harmonize with the forest environ- 

 ment, but they might have harmonized too successfully! Wenger (1964) used more con- 

 spicuous yellow and black signs and obtained higher registration rates. In addition, 

 the usual trailhead cluster of three sets of signs on three posts--registration box and 

 sign, trail information sign, and "U-6" regulations prohibiting motor vehicles--probably 

 detracted attention from the registration station. Placing the registration station 

 and sign at some distance from the other signs, and very close to the trail, might be 

 expected to attract more attention. 



The effect on registration rates of placing stations at the wilderness boundary 

 rather than at the trailhead cannot be estimated from our data. The registration rate 

 might increase in situations where a fairly long trip is required to reach the boundary 

 and the registration station, especially where the station is at a viewpoint after a 

 steep climb, where many people might welcome an excuse to stop and rest awhile. On 

 the other hand, a station located only a mile or two up a trail might produce a lower 

 rate than a trailhead location, especially for horsemen. Placement of hitch racks at 

 registration stations might encourage higher registration by horsemen. 



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