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As of March 20, 2007 Minnesota Game Wardens have provided 120 years of service to the state of Minnesota in the protection of fish & game laws. The appointment of the 1st Minnesota Game Warden occurred on March 20, 1887 as then Governor Andrew McGill hired W. Fred Zwickey, sheriff of Polk County. It wasn’t until May 25, 1967 that the legislature changed the term Game Warden to Conservation Officer and created a few months later a separate Division of Enforcement through Commissioner's order #122.
Since its conception, the duties of Conservation Officer have unfolded to include a myriad of duties from basic fish & game enforcement, wetland & shoreline protection among Minnesota's more than 10,000 lakes, commercial game operations and off road motorized vehicle enforcement. With the onset of terrorism threats against the U.S. since September 2001, CO’s have also been given many responsibilities relating to public safety and homeland security.
To celebrate 120 years of service to the state of Minnesota, the division of enforcement has created a 120th anniversary commemorative badge. Over the last 120 years the badges carried by Game Wardens have gone through various cosmetic changes. Badge manufacturer Symbol Arts ® Ogden, Utah was commissioned to design and create a similar badge worn by full-time salaried game wardens working for the MN State Game and Fish Department circa 1920s.
NOTICE: This site is designed, maintained, and contributed to by members of the Minnesota Conservation Officer's Association, an independent fraternal organization. Most members are sworn law enforcement officers of the Minnesota DNR Enforcement Division and/or retirees. Although most of the people involved with this site are employed by the DNR as members of the Division, the State, Department, and Division are in no way responsible for the content, appearance, or execution of this web site, nor is any endorsement by them implied.