Wilderness News

Interesting read. The full report is linked in the article.

Very interesting. Thanks. Downloaded full report. Too bad they don't publish data by entry point - would be fun to know.

I'm curious where they gather their data on the age of Boundary Waters visitors. Firstly, I don't recall ever being asked my age on a permit application. Secondly, if youths go to the Boundary Waters with their parents or other adult, then the adults will be the permit holder and based on the permit, the Forest Service would have no idea how many youths were part of the group. Unless they are doing surveys out in the field, then I just don't see how the Forest Service can make these claims on age. Do they survey all of the outfitters on the age of their clients? I agree with Tuscarora Outfitters that youth are likely being undercounted. Interesting nonetheless. Just my 2¢.

quote DuluthPak: "I'm curious where they gather their data on the age of Boundary Waters visitors. Firstly, I don't recall ever being asked my age on a permit application. Secondly, if youths go to the Boundary Waters with their parents or other adult, then the adults will be the permit holder and based on the permit, the Forest Service would have no idea how many youths were part of the group. Unless they are doing surveys out in the field, then I just don't see how the Forest Service can make these claims on age. Do they survey all of the outfitters on the age of their clients? I agree with Tuscarora Outfitters that youth are likely being undercounted. Interesting nonetheless. Just my 2¢.
"

When you pay the permit fee, which is per-person, you pay for youth, adult, or get the senior discount if you use a "Senior Pass". The "Senior Pass" is a federal issue,purchase once and good for life at all National Parks. It is not hard to count using that data.

quote Grandma L:
When you pay the permit fee, which is per-person, you pay for youth, adult, or get the senior discount if you use a "Senior Pass". The "Senior Pass" is a federal issue,purchase once and good for life at all National Parks. It is not hard to count using that data. "

You're absolutely correct Grandma. I forgot about the youth fee. That would be easy to distinguish for sure.

Interesting and thanks for posting. Findings seem consistent with the themes expressed in chatter on this forum, the reduced youth issue and shoulder season use most notable.

quote billconner: "Very interesting. Thanks. Downloaded full report. Too bad they don't publish data by entry point - would be fun to know."

Agreed. I wonder if a written request to the right folk would turn something up.

It is all pretty interesting as the flow of usage moves along. I would have like to see more breakdown by age group.