Conservation Drone Services, LLC

11/16/2025

Staying active in the drone world- just shifted to projects that better align with my interests. We have integrated drones into our conservation practices such as invasive species management. I know if there isnt a picture of a big buck a lot of people do not care, and quite frankly that is a "hunting industry" problem. We need to focus on habitats and holistic conservation of all species and not just the size of a bucks rack. Projects such as invasive species management are ways we can give back to nature and wildlife and something every serious hunter or outdoors person should be interested in. Please like my page Conservation Contracting, LLC if you are interested in wildlife and habitat managment and not just into pictures of dead deer or big racks.

05/03/2025

As one chapter begins, another ends...and so it is that I am permanently closing down shop. It has been an entertaining journey that has allowed me to explore my interests, learn a ton about wildlife, compliment my main business and help a bunch of people along the way. As it turns out I did not have the time to invest into this business as I had originally hoped I would, and I need more time to spend on my family and for myself. Ending this venture will allow me to invest further into my current one.

Some of the interactions and habits of wildlife that I have observed through my drone I am positive have never been documented before, and along with Ratcliff Drone Services I am proud to have been on the forefront of making these wildlife discoveries. It is my hope that drone technology can be utilized for good moving forward in the wildlife managment field, and that this technology is harnessed and utilized fully by land managers and agencies to make the most responsible choices in game and wildlife management. I also hope to see our game agencies become more involved in regulating the use of these drones as it pertains to wildlife, in hopes of keeping this technology out of the hands that could be abusing it.

Moving forward my efforts will be focused soley on Conservation Contracting, LLC, which I have owned and operated since 2018. We are a natural resources group who assists private landowers and government agencies with a focus on invasive species management, habitat plantings and improvement and prescribed fires. I will still be a licensed drone pilot, but will be working on other ground breaking uses for drones in the conservation world. Please like and follow our page Conservation Contracting, LLC to keep track of everything that we will be doing.

Additionally, please like Ratcliff Drone Services , Kestrel Prescribed Fire Solutions, LLC, GEOACE, Midwest Air LLC and Dynamic Wildlife Solutions, LLC. These are all businesses in the conservation field in one way or the other that we work with both directly and indirectly. More importantly though these folks are good people and would appreciate your support. Sorry if I missed anyone there.

Thanks for the past couple years.

Seth

02/05/2025

I am selling a brand new CZI LP12 unit. $1,750. The mounting hardware (bracket and screws) have been gently used and removed from drone, and the grey case has been previously used, but the LP12 light/broadcasting unit is brand new and has never been used. I have only hooked it up once inside just to make sure everything works as it should. My previous unit was bricked (software issue) and this is the replacement unit. I no longer need so I am selling, but these are awesome units and in my opinion the best lights on the market for the DJI M30 drones. These are listed new for $2,100 to $2,250 plus tax and shipping anywhere that I have found, so you are getting a great deal with this new unit, basically saving $400 plus dollar for used mounting hardware and a used carrying case. I have the paperwork proving it was new and can provide that information to anyone serious. $1,750. Price is firm and cash only. Will meet within 1 hour of Hillsboro Ohio.

10/26/2024

I was able to help a friend out today, and had my quickest recovery time ever of about 25 seconds. This was a straight liver shot deer, and the hunter did everything right starting by keeping the shot back from the shoulder, and followed with staying in his stand for 2 hours after the shot. He quietly climbed down, grabbed his arrow and walked straight back to the vehicle where he met me, being mindful to keep quiet on his way out, and definitely not pursuing the blood trail. I am here to help folks, not just to try to sell them a service. This all takes discipline but it is the procedure all hunters should follow (and we will be screening for moving forward) for the best chances of a hunter to recover their deer. The deer had bedded within 70 yards of where it was shot, and would have surely been spooked and likely not recovered if the trail was taken prematurely. I will make an announcement when I plan to start searching for the public again which will likely be sometime after gun season this year. Picture sequence represents how we use advanced thermal drone technology to locate deer 1) Thermal camera 2) Wide Angle 3) Zoom.

10/08/2024

Check out the Q and A page on our website regarding the advantages and disadvantages of using drones for wildlife recovery. I try to be honest and objective in all aspects of business. While we are not currently offering deer recovery services, it's a good reminder for folks who are considering using the service. Early in the year when leaves and vegetation are still thick is an extremely difficult time to be effective with a drone in woodland settings.

What is the fee for a deer and wildlife surveys? Price is determined by location, size and topography. Send up your property address and/or information and we will be in contact with you to develop a free, no obligation quote and plan to get started on with a wildlife survey on your property. Is usi...

09/27/2024

With Ohio deer season opening up tomorrow, its a good time to make this announcement. Conservation Drone Services, LLC will not be taking on clients for recovery of animals, either deer carcasses or pets, until otherwise stated moving forward. Last year was our first full recovery season, and we were very blessed with business and opportunities. I spent several weeks doing nothing except deer recoveries all hours of the day. We were able to help many folks, and it allowed us to get our business up and running. Now in our second year in business, we are fortunate to have options and to be able to focus on the key reason for starting this business to begin with, which is to perform and assist with the most professional grade drone wildlife surveys and mapping available. Having a professional background and education in wildlife management, conducting wildlife surveys is something that I am passionate about, and by pausing our recovery services I hope to have more time this year to focus on promoting and providing our wildlife survey services. Please see our recently updated website for a look into the direction we are taking our business. Link will be in the comment section. I am humbled by the support we received last year for deer recoveries, and hope we can continue all of our relationships by providing high quality wildlife surveys for our clients properties. If you are in need of deer or pet recovery services this season, we work with a select number of other drone operators who we have confidence in, and will be gladly passing along their information if we are contacted for this matter. If we have some free time to complete recoveries ourselves this year, we will post on Facebook. If you are interested in our wildlife surveys, now is the perfect time to let us know, and we will begin conducting our surveys in December once the leaves are fully off. Thank you everyone for your support!

Seth

09/17/2024

Deer season is right around the corner for many hunters in Ohio. I realize many folks don't process their own deer, but it's really rewarding if you have the time and place! Check out this event by my friend John and Wild Game Cook to learn more about getting your deer from field to table.

08/18/2024

I purchased my drone primarily to assist the conservation and wildlife world with wildlife surveys. Glad to see a national wildlife organization taking advatage of this amazing technology. Hope to continue to see the use of professional drone survey techniques and methods used by professionals in the conservation world.

08/14/2024

I will be out tomorrow preparing for a large scale (1,000 + acre) deer survey that I was asked to provide a quote for that we may be conducting this winter. I take pride in conducting our surveys the right way, and in a professional manner. There are many things that need to be considered before a drone ever leaves the ground, especially on large surveys including launch points, airspace regulations and the objective of the survey. We prioritize delievering a professional finished product for our clients while considering safety and also navigating FAA's often confusing and frustrating airspace regulations. Are you interested in finding out what critters are using your property? We utilize professional grade drones and GIS software to conduct and prepare a professional product to our clients. If you are interested in a wildlife survey this winter, now is a good time to reach out to start the process.

Conservation Drone Services, LLC

07/04/2024

Happy independence day from Conservation Drone Services, LLC. We have been busy with non-drone things the past several months, but will be making some announcements as we get closer to fall.

04/16/2024

We are hiring a part time position on the contracting side of our business, Conservation Contracting, LLC. Please note this is not at all a drone related position. Details below as well as link in comments.

Conservation Contracting, LLC is looking for a part time helper to join our crew. Hours needed will vary by season and weather but could average 8 hours a week through spring and summer, up to 32 hours a week in fall and winter. Ideal candidate would be located within 30 miles of Hillsboro Ohio. We understand this is a part time position without guaranteed hours, so we will be VERY flexible working around a schedule for the right candidate and their availability. Primary job duty will be assisting with our invasive vegetation management efforts, but other natural resources related duties may be assigned as needed. The employee would primarily be using a chainsaw and sprayer (hand or backpack) to eradicate invasive vegetation on jobsites within 60 miles of Hillsboro, Ohio, but ideally be willing to travel as needed. Millage reimbursement offered. I won't beat around the bush, this is an extremely physically demanding position, and the employee must be physically and mentally capable of walking many miles a day (up to 10 miles some days) carrying at least 50 lbs, in all weather conditions hot and cold. I never ask anyone to do something that I dont routinely do myself. We are looking for a self-driven starter who has a proven track record of chainsaw operation, safety and maintenance who can hit the ground running and work independently. Also must be very comfortable working with herbicides. For as demanding as this job will be, it will equally be rewarding as you will have the opportunity to work outside restoring our natural world and truly making a difference. For more information or for inquires, questions or to apply please visit our webpage (link in comments). Social media inquiries will not be responded to.

03/16/2024

LIGHT/SPEAKER FOR SALE- NOT DRONE. I am selling my jZ m30 Quick Search kit spotlight and speaker combo. This light was a demo I purchased from a dealer in November when my original light locked up due to firmware issues. It is a great choice for both deer recovery and search and rescue, as it has the ability to look straight down (unlike many other lights, and very important for deer recovery at night) and it also has a speaker option for search and rescue operations. It sustained some damage this winter but was recently professionally repaired and tested by Ohio Drone Repair, and I tested it again as well. Its only been used a dozen times and is essentially like new since being repaired. If someone has M30 and is interested in recovery missions this is a great light for you and could be either a primary or backup. Comes in a hard carrying case as pictured, and includes mounting bracket and hardware as well. Retails new for $1,399. Make me a reasonable offer.