As one might expect, various badges were worn by Game Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Reserve Wardens and others over the years.
Thanks to the hard work by representatives from three Departments within the Resources Agency, a Sesquicentennial Badge was created and made available to officers from those three departments; the Department of Forestry & Fire Protection, The Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Fish and Game in 1999 & 2000.
In addition to creating the special badge, they also compiled information on the badges worn by each of their respective agencies over the years and provided a copy of the book to each officer who purchased one of the special badges.
We all owe a special thanks to Park Ranger Mike Lynch, Game Warden Doug Messer and Firefighter Steven D. Huntington for their efforts.
The pages that pertain to the Department of Fish and Game are shown below.
Pictured below is thought to be an early hat piece worn on the officer’s dress uniform hat. We think it was used in the 1920’s &1930’s which is earlier than the hat pieces shown in the document below. A special thanks to Richard Bower for taking the time to contact the Department regarding this important part of our history.
Photo by Richard Bower
Good morning,
I am a California game warden and have been since 2004. For Christmas this year, I received a “Fish and Game Protector” badge #177. It is the same style badge that you have listed as the circa 1920s hat badge. I think it’s a neat piece of history and was wondering if you had any additional information on that style badge?
Thanks,
Aaron Galwey
Aaron: I don’t have any additional info. As you can see, when Warden Doug Messer did the original history of badges and hat pieces, he did not discover this older hat piece either. Happy to have you out there protecting the wildlife resources. You came on just after I retired in 2003. If you come across any other historical info, don’t hesitate to send me a photo.
Thanks, Jack
Hi Jack! Excellent website, I have been extremely impressed with it and spent quite a bit a time reading about our history here!
I had a question regarding the warden badges section. I’ve been lucky enough to have been able to collect a few old warden badges and have them identified through your report here. One badge I have, that appears to be the oldest one I have, is not referenced, and I was hoping you may have some info or know who or where I could look to find out more. The badge is the typical six point star size and style, and in blue letters states: “California Fish & game commission”.
On the back of the badge is the number 17, then “BBCO STER”. Would this be one of the first badges? In reading the history of the department, it appears that after 1883 the board of fish commissioners established a bureau of patrol and law enforcement. I am curious if it could possibly be that old?? But then again it says California fish and game commission, not fish commission.
Do you know when the commission change names from Fish commission to fish and game commission?
Thank you again for all your information here, and any information you may be able to provide!
-Kyle Kroll
The badge you are describing was issued to members of the Fish and Game Commission, not to the deputies or game wardens, which is why it is not shown in the badge history for the game wardens. In 1909, the Board of Fish Commission’s name was changed to the Fish and Game Commission (FGC) to reflect the importance of game conservation as part, its responsibilities.
Just did a little more research on the old California fish and game commission badge. BBCO on back of badge stands for Bliss Brothers Company, makers of silver lockets, pins, buttons from 1887 through the 1950’s…
Since the Fish and Game Commission came into being in 1909, the badge had to be issued after that date. Sorry but I don’t have any additional info on the badge.
Jack any idea where Doug’s Badges and collection are now? I gave him one of the first issue soft badges, Those of us who worked CAMP were issued these in 1984. They were really Funky and I never wore it but passed it on to Doug as it was one of the first of it’s kind.
I have recently acquired an old patch, it’s black with yellow trim and says “California F. G. Patrol” with a picture of a quail and a fish. Any information on old patches? Thanks!