Letter to the editor

Hello, Carter County Livestock Producers. This is your new Aerial Predator Control Pilot.

First, I want to pay my respects to Mark Huseby. Although I never met him, I've heard amazing stories about his skills and dedication. He left big shoes to fill. My family and I send our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones and the community.

Now, let me introduce myself. My name is Dustin Drews, I'm 41 years old, and I live in Bison, SD with my wife Jessica and our two sons, Boaz (8) and Isaac (6).

I grew up in Wahoo, Nebraska, where I worked in an outdoor power equipment shop and enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, and motorsports. After high school, I joined the United States Marine Corps, where I worked as an Aviation Hydraulic Technician and Quality Assurance Representative for five years. I was deployed to Okinawa, Japan, spent time on the USS Essex, and served two tours to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After my honorable discharge, I ran a successful outdoor power equipment business for eight years. My passion for hunting and trapping led me to work as a Wildlife Damage Specialist with South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. This role deepened my understanding of predator control, and I realized my desire to become a Predator Control Pilot after a flight in a Supercub with the local contract pilot.

In 2017, I shifted to the Outdoor Power Industry as a Kohler Engine Territory Representative. I then learned about the "Forces to Flyers" program for veterans, which offered comprehensive flight training. I applied, got selected, and completed the program at Leading Edge Aviation in Bend, Oregon, filling 1 of 16 spots nationwide. Within a year I earned my private, instrument, commercial single-engine, commercial multi-engine, certified flight instructor and certified instrument flight instructor certificates. In 2019, my wife’s Christmas gift to me was lining up a tailwheel instructor who helped me get my tailwheel endorsement. I also pursued a Bachelor of Science in Aviation degree from Liberty University, which I completed in 2021.

In 2020, COVID-19 closed most of the flight schools, including Leading Edge Aviation. I returned to Nebraska and found a job as a survey pilot with Sandhills Aviation. When the survey season ended, my wife got a job with the USDA in Bison, SD, and we moved back to where it all began.

In Bison, I met James Lindquist of Dakota Flite, who later hired me to conduct pipeline patrols. This experience helped me transition to aerial hunting. After gaining enough experience, I approached the Perkins County Predator Control Board and started flying as an aerial predator control pilot in March 2022.

Since then, I've learned a lot about aerial predator hunting. The most crucial aspect for success is landowner involvement. Your information about coyote sightings is invaluable. I send out mass texts before flights to gather intel, which helps save time and prevent livestock losses. I encourage you all to share your observations with us.

I want to thank the Carter County Predator Board for this opportunity. I'm excited to work with Robbie Fix and Chad Harrington, both of which I have heard nothing but positive reports from the producers they serve.

My goal is to build a long-term partnership with the producers of Carter County. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at 402-521-0286.

God Bless, Dustin Drews