Richard Bong State Recreation Area Class 1 Dog Training Area Requested Change

Comments

#1

Richard Bong State Recreation area is a tremendous asset for many organizations in the area and I would like to see the training restrictions lifted in the additional area to help eliminate the congestion

Brian Schlomann (Big Bend, 2025-06-17)

#8

I am in favor of the proposal to increase available area for training and events to benefit all users by expanding the Class I area.

Greg Blair (Menomonee Falls, 2025-06-25)

#11

Part of the bird dog sporting community

Daniel McClellan (Damar, 2025-06-25)

#15

I support gun dog training grounds.

Jeff Lemmenes (Brandon, 2025-06-25)

#16

I am signing a this petition as a frequent daily user of the dog training grounds and a participant in local and national field trialing events.

Trevor Hornbacher (Big Bend, 2025-06-25)

#18

I completely agree with the proposed plan.

Sandra Hoesel (Cascade, 2025-06-25)

#19

Although I live out of state, I have attended a number of dog events held at Bong and consider it to be an excellent resource. Wisconsin has a long tradition hosting dog events, going back over 100 years, and Bong continues that tradition. Such events bring business to the local motels, campgrounds and restaurants.

Frank Pittelli (EDGEWATER, 2025-06-25)

#21

The Richard Bong site for field trials and dog training is in need of expansion, the facility can support a much larger capacity than the current arraignment allows and many clubs will benefit from this change.

Harfold Heather (Genoa, 2025-06-25)

#22

The area is congested and adding more class 1 dog training grounds would ease congestion for all users

Jacob Trussoni (North Prairie, 2025-06-25)

#24

I strongly support dog training and the field trial sport. I have been training and competing at Bong for most of my life.

Phil Ruff (Sycamore, 2025-06-26)

#31

I am a dog trainer

Joel Kollaszar (Eagle, 2025-06-26)

#32

I use the bong training grounds along with our group every week.

michael Hucker (Bristol, 2025-06-26)

#35

Out of all the reasons Bong Rec is used in would bet dog training is the most popular year round. Expanding the class 1 grounds is a great idea.

Joel Kollaszar (Eagle, 2025-06-26)

#37

Love training my dogs out at Bong. Definitely could use more property to accomplish this.

Pete Janovicz (Kenosha, 2025-06-26)

#40

Great area, could definitely use more area for dog training..

Tim Kieffer (West Bend, 2025-06-26)

#42

I think we need to increase the land to be used for class 1 in bong state park

A.G. Shaw (Elkhorn, 2025-06-26)

#46

I train dogs several times a week at Bong. Bong is a world class dog training area and has been since its inception. Offering more class 1 space will provide more people access to the facility.

Donald Schlomann (Poplar Grove, 2025-06-26)

#48

I am a member of Wisill HRC and other smaller training groups at Bong. It does get crowded (through out the week and during all of the different hunt test events)

Bob Cain (Elgin, 2025-06-26)

#50

I train dogs at bong and recognize the need for more designated areas.

Ryan Eder (TREVOR, 2025-06-26)

#51

Utilize Bong for Retriever Trials including HRC International Grand which is 900 plus dogs

Tracy Stubbs (Union Springs, 2025-06-26)

#52

I have run does and judged several times. The grounds are great and well managed. Adding more area would allow for even better Training grounds.

Darrell Day (Rock Island, 2025-06-26)

#53

James Melms

Jim Melms (Racine, 2025-06-26)

#57

I’m signing because I train here

Sandra Grishaber (Genoa City, 2025-06-26)

#59

I agree with this petition to expand the training area's as more people are getting involved in activities at Bong.

Dorine Reinert (Harvard, 2025-06-26)

#62

This should be done

Chris Quebedeau (Lafayette, 2025-06-26)

#63

I am signing this petition because I don't want to see trainers and their dogs cast aside when there is plenty of training grounds that are currently not being used to the great potential that most certainly could and should be used for this purpose.

Ken Reinert (Harvard, 2025-06-26)

#64

I own and breed hunt test/hunting retrievers so access to land to train on and run tests is always helpful.

Joann Stancer (CAMBRIA, 2025-06-26)

#66

I'm signing because I have used Bong training grounds for some 30 years and have weary hedges the facility become more congested and have at times had to wait for hours for usages.

diane CALANDRA (Burlington, 2025-06-26)

#68

I enjoy dog training

Chris Daniels (Walworth, 2025-06-26)

#69

I train digs here and visit here.

joe shaughnessy (Bridgeview, 2025-06-26)

#72

I have been training with my dogs at Bong for ten years and confirm that the requested expansion will benefit us.

Julio Rodriguez (Vernon Hills, 2025-06-26)

#77

There needs to be places at which sportsman that use dogs for hunting can train and interact with others of similar interests. A trained dog is essential for the conservation of game birds...ie: preventing loss

Daniel Voss (Cambridge, 2025-06-26)

#78

I field trial and have competed at Bong. Training areas are frequently crowded and there is a demand for expanding the available space.

Mike Poehler (Strafford, 2025-06-26)

#82

I use this property for dog training. Over the years I have seen conflicts increase to the point where you can't find a place to train. I drive one hour to get there only to be turned away or change my plans. I now have to check schedule to see what's going on before I go.

Jim purnell (Janesville, 2025-06-26)

#86

Because it’s what’s right

Jacob Schmitt (Braceville, 2025-06-26)

#88

The demand for areas to train dogs for hunting is immense and with the explosion over the last several years of dogs being run in hunt tests is making it more and more crowded at the training areas that already exist. "Preserve game...Use a trained dog."

Tom Mueller (Wauwatosa, 2025-06-26)

#89

We definitely need more Class 1 areas in the state

William Kehoe (Whitewater, 2025-06-26)

#90

I want more training grounds at Bong

Jonathan Lane (Glenview, 2025-06-26)

#91

Hoping to improve the dog training area.

Robert Salamone (Brookfield, 2025-06-26)

#95

I use the grounds for dog Hunt Test training and have seen conflicts between people and driven all the way up and not been able to find an area to train on.

Nicola Cushny (Grayslake, 2025-06-26)

#96

I am a dog trainer and handler who values the dog training and dog event opportunities at Bong.

Marion Grace (Overland Park, 2025-06-26)

#97

The dog game has grown a lot over the years. Now with access to the internet and all the online training programs that an amateur can follow the grounds to do so are the biggest problem. Having state land to train on is key to the dog game continuing to grow in the future. Bong is so crowded now and the more area we can open up the more relief it can provide. The amateurs do not have access to great private grounds and the state property is key for them to able to train their dog.

Chris Hansen (Franklin, 2025-06-26)

#98

I train at Bong and it's becoming more difficult to find available places to train.l

Robert Czarnowski (Rockford, 2025-06-26)

#100

I believe the area for dog training needs expanded

James Trainer (Greenville, 2025-06-26)

#104

I train dogs

Ann Klobucnik (Mukwonago, 2025-06-26)

#107

I train dogs at Bong and have entered several hunt test there over the years

Ben Fullerton (Delafield, 2025-06-26)

#108

I am a fellow dog trainer and dog advocate

Lyle Hammerschmidt (La Crosse, 2025-06-26)

#109

I train there and it’s become too congested

Ron Schiro (Beloit, 2025-06-26)

#110

I am a local resident the trains dogs at Bong on a semi regular basis. I also attend several hunt tests a year there and participate in the special use planning meeting. Opening more training area would be beneficial to the rocket clubs, ATV clubs, and obviously the dog training clubs.

James Coppersmith (Hartland, 2025-06-26)

#111

Bong is some of the best training grounds in the Midwest for Dogs. Anything we can do to make it even better should be a top priority.

Tommy Van Oost (Racine, 2025-06-26)

#113

The referred to land is extremely important for dog trainers due to the fact that well trained dogs are an important part of our society. In the hunting dog world our dog’s jobs are to retrieve (in water & on land), flush, and/or point birds depending on dog breed. Ongoing training each year is necessary and the skills the dogs use while hunting play an important role in wildlife management(bird population etc.). Please help us preserve land for our dog training in order to preserve the rich history & sport of bid hunting. Thank You!

Pamela Norris (Justin, 2025-06-26)

#117

This is good for the park & everyone who uses it!

Gina Maass (Burlington, 2025-06-26)

#118

Bong Recreation Area is widely considered a premier destination for retriever events. I reside in Michigan and annually make the trip to WI to compete in HRC hunt tests. Although I am not a Wisconsin resident the financial benefit of my travels are significant to the local area. All efforts to preserve, grow, and enhance the areas available to retriever training should be made.

Tom Martin (Davison, 2025-06-26)

#119

More training area should be allotted to alleviate the pressure on special use zone

Renee Thompson (Mukwonago, 2025-06-26)

#120

The sport of field trials is an important aspect of producing great hunting dogs. The sport is having problems with getting access to land that is appropriate for showcasing our events.
Trials have a large impact on the economies of the small communities that are near our venues. Several businesses have been destroyed due to the state of Iowa withdrawing support for our sport and I would hate to see this happen in Wisconsin.

Larry Bradley (Bennett, 2025-06-26)

#126

I am in full support of the expansion of the class 1 training grounds. this will significantly expand opportunities for all types of dog breeds and alleviate overlapping and crowding of various activities

jeff stanton (Ixonia, 2025-06-26)

#132

I’m signing because every year there are more and more people that want to increase for training.

Gary Gagnon (Whitewater, 2025-06-26)

#133

I train dogs and participate in hunt tests all year long. During prime training season the Class 1 area becomes so crowded that not everyone gets a space to work. Please open up the prime training area as outlined in this petition

Scott Siman (Antioch, 2025-06-26)

#135

I participate in Field Trials at Bong.

Jerome George (Bloomington, 2025-06-26)

#138

We need more field trial ground.

David Hourihan (Eagle, 2025-06-26)

#153

I’m signing because I train for regional and national pointing dog events at Bong.
It’s close to home and is an excellent facility and the requested change’s will only improve the area.

Thomas Jagielski (Salem Lakes, 2025-06-27)

#155

I want the dog training areas increased

Linda McGrady (New Berlin, 2025-06-27)

#156

I would like to see the dog training and events area increased in size.

Jeff Miller (Elburn, 2025-06-27)

#158

One other statement I would like to have addressed is out of state people utilize the dog training grounds regularly, and the best to my knowledge is they are only charged a small increase in park sticker. There is a retriever trainer fromLA who is there utilizing the grounds for a week at a time multiple times a year with approx 12 dogs. This ties up a large part of the ponds.

Rick Taczala (Waukesha, 2025-06-27)

#166

We need more training areas.

Christopher E Hagerup Christopher E Hagerup (Whitefish Bay, 2025-06-27)

#169

I support the expansion of the dog training grounds at Bong because the participation in dog training and club use has gone up exponentially in the past 20 years and it is increasingly hard to find a spot to train, especially on the weekends when pressure on the grounds is highest.

david dellagnese (Menomonee Falls, 2025-06-27)

#171

I am a dog trainer who would benefit from more available Class 1 grounds

Katherine Keenan (Chicago, 2025-06-27)

#176

Bong is one of the few if not only training ground for many dog owner and trainers in SE WI and and all of northern Illinois. Expanding the grounds reduces overcrowding and allows for training without impeding on others.

Cindy Collins (LIbertyville, 2025-06-27)

#183

I’m signing because I’m a trainer

Royce Meyenburg (Edwardsville, 2025-06-28)

#184

I'm signing because Bong is where I don't most dog training.

Brian Wardius (Oak Creek, 2025-06-28)

#186

It ia important

Alan Ott (Village Of Lakewood, 2025-06-28)

#188

I do a lot of dog training at bong recreation area (3+ days a week). It is an amazing property but is challenging to find an open area to train especially on the weekends. It would be great to have more areas available so people have spots to train when there are tests going on.

Roger Smith (Madison, 2025-06-28)

#190

I’m signing this petition in favor of adding additional dog training grounds, to an already fabulous place to train, and test at. A very rare, and unique property.

Ron Perkins (Roachdale, 2025-06-28)

#194

I’m signing this petition because I have trained and competed at dog events hosted at Richard Bong State Psrk. Please make access and changes discribed in this petition.

Kelly Ackman (Peterson, 2025-06-28)

#197

I have been a frequent customer at Bong State Park over the last decade, attending various hunt test. I have bought a nonresident pass each year, frequented the local restaurants and gas stations and believe that Bong State Park is one of the better dog training venues in this part of the country. It has hosted at least 3 HRC International Grands which brought in people from all over the country. I whole heartedly agree the park should be expanded for increased training grounds.

Robert Copeland (Lake Villa, 2025-06-28)

#199

I have been there for many years and dog competitions and hope you consider this

Sandra Dollar (Neshkoro, 2025-06-28)