PAST EXPERIENCE AND BEHAVIORAL CHOICE AMONG WILDERNESS USERS

The amount of past experience in a recreation activity or setting has been associated with setting preferences, but has not been a good pred ictor of site choices. Research suggests that other factors such as so cial influences and constraints (Kuentzel & Heberlein, 1992) might hav e more influence than past experience or setting preferences on site c hoice. This study examined the association between recreational choice behavior, past wilderness experience, setting preferences, social fac tors, and constraints among a sample of wilderness users in Nopiming P rovincial Park, Manitoba, Canada. Data were collected from self regist rations and a mail questionnaire. In contrast to other studies, past e xperience was associated with site choices. Experienced users chose mo re 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 wi th choices. Socioeconomic variables and social group of participation were not associated with choices.