As we look back on 2025, I am proud to highlight the outstanding work of North Dakota Game and Fish Department wardens and the meaningful impact they had across our state. Their commitment to law enforcement, resource protection and public service continues to exemplify the best of our profession.

This past year, game wardens remained on the front lines of natural resource law enforcement, ensuring fair chase, human safety and protection of public trust resources. Through nearly 50,000 contacts in the field with hunters, anglers and others, wardens focused not only on enforcing the law, but also on educating sportsmen and women, helping build a strong culture of compliance and respect for wildlife.

Search and rescue missions again underscored the versatility and readiness of our officers. From incidents on the water to remote backcountry responses, game wardens worked closely with local agencies to locate missing individuals and assist those in distress, often in challenging conditions.

Strong relationships with landowners remain foundational to our success. Department wardens partnered with producers and rural communities to address access concerns, resolve conflicts, and support working landscapes that benefit both agriculture and wildlife. These partnerships strengthen trust and keep communication open across the countryside.

In wildlife management, game wardens played a key role alongside biologists, contributing critical field observations, assisting with surveys, and helping implement management strategies that sustain healthy populations.

The accomplishments of 2025 reflect professionalism, compassion and a deep commitment to North Dakota’s people and natural resources. I am grateful for the dedication of our wardens and confident in the continued positive impact they will make in the years ahead.

Johnson Earns Two Awards

Drew Johnson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district game warden in Finley, is the state’s 2025 Wildlife Officer of the Year. Johnson was honored by Shikar-Safari Club International, a private conservation organization that annually recognizes wildlife officers in each state.

Scott Winkelman, Department chief warden, said Johnson started at the newly created post in Finley in 2019 and his patrol district includes Griggs, Steele and Traill counties.

“Drew spends a great deal of his time patrolling in and around his patrol district by vehicle, boat, snowmobile and ATV. His value to the enforcement division is felt year-round as he patrols his district with enthusiasm for game law enforcement,” Winkelman said. “Warden Johnson’s work ethic and can-do attitude are exemplified in his commitment to becoming more skilled and efficient with each passing year and is a very deserving recipient of this award.”

Johnson was also named North Dakota’s Boating Officer of the Year for 2025.

“Drew’s prior work experience on Devils Lake seasoned him into a more successful boat and water safety officer as he had worked extensively on Devils Lake, one of North Dakota’s busiest natural lakes,” Winkelman said. “Warden Johnson is dedicated to boat safety enforcement of both recreational boaters and anglers alike.”

Turkey Federation's Top Warden

Shawn Sperling, North Dakota Game and Fish Department district warden in Minot, was named the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Wildlife Officer of the Year for 2025.

“Warden Sperling’s district contains portions of Ward, Renville and McHenry counties. This area of the state historically boasts a strong population of wild turkeys. Shawn has a passion for turkeys both professionally and personally, as he is an avid turkey hunter himself. Shawn diligently patrols for turkey hunting activity and addresses violations accordingly,” Turkey Federation officials said. “Hs also a skilled investigator and has used his talents to make strong cases involving illegally taken turkeys. Warden Sperling’s dedication to the wildlife resources in his district, as well as his district’s constituents, make him a great fit for this award.”

2025 Summary of Violations