Bring B.A.R.K Rangers to Wisconsin State Parks

Many folks (Including me!) love to bring our pets to Wisconsin State Parks, however, some dog owners are asking themselves if it’s worth the risk of clashes with unruly and unleashed pets. That’s certainly an issue we hear about regularly concerning Devil’s Lake State Park.

Off-Leash Pets

Last week I received my second message this summer (Already) asking me if I would mention keeping dogs on leashes at Devil’s Lake State Park. In both cases, an unleashed dog ran up on a hiker with a leashed pet. These can be scary situations! While most of these encounters will end without harm, occasionally they won’t. As most dog owners know, a leashed dog can react defensively because they are on a leash, which in turn can make even a friendly approaching dog become unfriendly. It’s a catch-22, and in Wisconsin State Parks, it really shouldn’t happen. Unless posted, dogs must be on a leash at all times.

At Devil’s Lake, there are a variety of issues coming together to create unwanted pet issues. The volume of visitors compared to the ratio of staff and wardens is a big one. It makes it hard to contact or educate visitors on pet rules. When you’re badly outnumbered, obviously, loose pets become a low priority. In addition, Devil’s Lake has placed dog swim areas on top of boat launches. On South Shore, the designated off-leash swim area not only seems to include the boat launch and pier, but also the area where paddlers can launch canoes and kayaks beside the concrete. Clashes are inevitable.

What I don’t want to see is pets banned from the park as is some case at National Parks, but a focus on education and yes, enforcement. A first step in changing the situation might be Wisconsin State Parks copying and implementing the National Park’s B.A.R.K Ranger program.

The B.A.R.K Ranger Program

The B.A.R.K Ranger program starts by asking visitors to learn the B.A.R.K. principles so that everyone can have a safe and fun visit to their favorite park. This program is part of the National Park’s Healthy People Healthy Parks Initiative. B.A.R.K. stands for:

• Bag your pet’s waste (And take it to the nearest trash can.)
• Always leash your pet
• Respect wildlife
• Know where you can go

How does my dog become a Bark Ranger?

• Pick up a pledge card from a Visitor Center or Information Center or do a “BARK Ranger” activity with your dog at the park.
• Dogs complete a short program and are sworn in as “Bark Rangers”.
• The Program is free and all dogs are welcome to become Bark Rangers.

Hikes & Ambassadors

The BARK ranger initiative also holds various events and hikes which vary depending on the park including picnics, swims, playdays and hikes. The NPS invites volunteer pet owners to become ambassadors for the program. Ambassadors may lead hikes or hike the parks themselves, share park information, answer questions and talk to visitors while highlighting pet policies and pet safety.

There’s more to the program of course, but this gives you a good overview. And as I always say, if you’re going to point out a problem, be part of the solution!

Want a WI. B.A.R.K Ranger Program?

The bottom line is that “Pets Welcome” isn’t welcoming when it becomes a free-for-all. What most of us want is to bring our pets AND have an enjoyable time, while protecting our amazing parks and their wildlife. For many reasons, this is getting harder to do each year. Implementing a program like the National Park’s B.A.R.K Rangers might just be a good place to start in Wisconsin State Parks. Devil’s Lake should be the proving ground. If you can do it here, you can do it anywhere in the state. If you’d like to see the BARK Ranger program in Wisconsin State Parks please email: [email protected] and let them know!

Learn More:

• National Park Paws – The Bark Ranger Program
• BARK Rangers – National Park Service
• Bark Rangers – Info and Activity Check List From Acadia NP.