Masters Thesis

Beliefs, attitudes and behaviors about bear resistant food canister use among wilderness users in Yosemite National Park

Since 2004, backpackers have been required to store their food in approved bear-resistant food storage canisters within seven air miles of a road and anywhere above 2900 m in Yosemite National Park. In 2005 I evaluated the effectiveness of this requirement. Trailhead and internet-based surveys utilized the Theory of Planned Behavior to measure three behavioral constructs that influence wilderness food storage behavior. Linear regression was used to determine that all three variables (behavioral belief, subjective norm and perceptions of behavioral control) influence compliance with food storage regulations in wilderness areas of the park where canisters are required. The model offers less power in predicting and explaining food storage in wilderness areas where canister use remains voluntary. The study also assesses backpackers' canister use efficiency, and examines bear –human conflict that occurred in the Yosemite Wilderness in 2005. While 87% of respondents used canisters, only 62% of those who carried canisters reported that they were able to achieve full compliance by fitting all food, trash and toiletries into canisters on every night of their trip. Forty-five (26%) of the 108 human-bear encounters documented involved backpackers using bear-resistant food canisters.

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