Who cares about encounters? Differences between those with and without norms

The normative approach can be a useful tool for managers in setting standard's for acceptable conditions when there is substantial agreement among recreationists. However, recent research has raised questions about whether norms are present universally. The question of the relationship between the presence of norms and other variables has not been investigated in detail. This study uses a sample of hikers and stock users from the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Oregon to investigate the relationships between variables including mode of travel, destination (high or low-use), past wilderness experience, attitudes toward impacts, attitudes toward management practices, and the presence of individual norms for encounters. Approximately 44% of respondents reported a norm for encounters with others, 29% said encounters matter but could not give a number, and 28% said that encounters do not matter to them. Residence, trailhead use level, and past wilderness experience were related to the presence of norms. Those with norms were move likely to rate social and ecological impacts as problems and were more supportive of restrictive management practices.