CHRONOLOGY OF THE GAME, FISH AND PARKS
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1875 -- Territorial Legislature passed first laws regulating hunting.  The taking of quail, grouse and prairie chicken were prohibited between May 1 through August 1.  No provision was made for enforcement.

1881-- First laws were passed concerning big game.

1883 --Territorial Legislature provided for the appointment of a Fish Commissioner by the Governor.  Commissioner was empowered to stock fish and close and reopen waters.

1893 -- Legislature instructed county boards to appoint six fish wardens in each county.  There was no compensation.  Fines collected were split between the warden and the state.  It was noted that a good fish warden and a favorable justice of the peace could do a "land office business."

1899 -- Fish wardens were renamed game wardens and given statewide authority, although deputy wardens had their authority restricted to the county of their appointment.

1903 -- The county game warden system was ridden by local politics, opportunities for graft, and a vast ignorance of game and fish management.  Legislative action provided the Governor could appoint wardens upon the petition of 10 citizens in the county.  The wardens were paid $50 a month from the county game fund during open season.

1909 -- Creation of the Department of Game and Fish.  Governor appointed W.F. Bancroft as state game warden.  A  Game and Fish Commission was established, and it consisted of the Governor, the Attorney General, and the State Game Warden.  Bancroft was given the privilege of appointing a county game warden in any county of the state upon the recommendation and request of the board of county comissioners.

1911 -- There were 58 county game wardens in the field.  The inherent drawbacks for such a system were apparent to Bancroft, and he reported to the Governor, "Too much politics is entered into the recommendations of the county game wardens by county boards."

1913 -- The county game warden system was abolished and enforcement put into the hands of eight deputy state game wardens.  The greater efficiency of the new system was soon apparent.  Eight deputy wardens made 65 arrests their first year, as compared with 46 arrested by 58 wardens the year before.

1927 -- The present commission form of running the fish and wildlife affairs of the state was established by the legislature.   The commission was to consist of six members, no more than three of which were to be of the same political party at their time of appointment, and no more than two residents in the same congressional district.

1945 -- Legislative action made the department the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.  Two members of the State Park Board were added to the Game and Fish Commission to make an eight person commission.   The new division was called Forestry and Parks.

1967 -- Forestry and Parks were divided into separate divisions.

1970 -- Reorganization of department.   Combined divisions of fisheries, land, game, and law enforcement into the Division of Wildlife.  This made the local conservation officer responsible for all fish, land, game and law enforcement activities in his area.

1973 -- Executive orders, reorganizing state government, were issued by Governor Richard Kneip.  The orders placed the Game, Fish and Parks Commission under the direction and supervision of the department and the secretary.  However, the order allowed the commission to retain quasi-judicial, quasi-legislative, advisory and other nonadministrative and special budgetary functions, independent of the Secretary of Game, Fish and Parks.  This order also gave the Governor the authority to appoint the secretary.

1979 -- Sunset of Game, Fish and Parks Department

1983 -- Sunset of Game, Fish and Parks rules.

1984 -- Forestry Division was transferred to Department of Agriculture.

1987 -- Under executive orders issued by Governor George Mickelson the Game, Fish and Parks Commission shall nominate, not less than three persons for the position of Secretary of Game, Fish and Parks, who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor.

1989 -- Budget authority for Custer State Park was transferred to the legislature.