Local first responders get new drone business off the ground

Mayday Drones, the brainchild of area first responders Nate Yoder and Brent Carr, is a new business providing drone imaging and/or video footage used in a multitude of different industries. After acquiring their first drone in late June, the pair was off and running ... or flying.

In the beginning the primary focus was on deer recovery. Their first mission was the recovery of a lost steer for a young 4-H member.

“Utilizing the thermal drones, we are able to assist in deer recovery and herd analysis, lost pet and livestock locating,” Carr said. “We’ve also dabbled in real estate photography. We have big plans to jump into a few other operations as well in the agricultural and inspection areas of drone use.”

Both Wooster natives, Yoder is a lieutenant and Carr an engineer with Wooster Township Fire & Rescue. Carr also is a veteran, having served 12 years in the Army National Guard.

The idea for Mayday Drones began as Yoder and Carr were training to become pilots for the Wooster Township Fire & Rescue’s drone team.

“When we were exposed to all the capabilities of these new drones,” Yoder said, “it got our minds spinning. We’re both avid hunters and wondered how we could utilize thermal drone technology and hunting. We know the pain and agony of making a shot on a deer and failing to recover it. As hunters we owe it to the deer to put forth every effort in locating it, whether buck or doe.”

They began investigating to see if anyone else had the same idea. “A handful of companies across the U.S. were using thermal drone technology to help hunters recover the carcass if the animal took off or maybe they had a less than perfect shot,” Yoder said.

Yoder and Carr continued to research, studying hunting laws and talking to game wardens. Their initial business plan was recreated half a dozen times.

“We bounced the idea and business plans to a couple key stakeholders and business owners within our community to ensure we weren’t crazy,” Yoder said, “and then we set out to secure investors. From there we were constantly in the air learning how to master our craft.”

The entrepreneurs were already licensed with the FAA as part of the certified pilots flying with the fire department, so their next step was to secure equipment.

“We knew we wanted to specialize in thermal drone services out of the gate so we could provide deer recoveries come hunting season, but we really had no idea all the other different avenues we could also take,” Yoder said.

What was it like to launch a business from the ground up? “As a startup it can be extremely intimidating and difficult breaking into the scene,” Yoder said. “Our support system (fire service family, family and friends) is what helped us take off. Word of mouth and social media engagement is how we got started.”

Additionally, they fostered connections with nonprofits that work with hunters to help spread the word in the hunting community.

The company’s drones are able to function in a wide range of weather conditions: below-zero temperatures, wind speeds up to nearly 30 mph and even with some precipitation. For thermal drone use, an overcast day is actually preferred in order to use the technology to the best of its ability.

The area covered can be just as diverse. Yoder said they have flown in as little as 2-3 acres up to areas as large as 500 acres.

“The area being covered is relative to the job. When it comes to deer recoveries, we use a multitude of different information,” he said. “It’s not as simple as showing up and aimlessly flying around. The hunter’s story, last-known direction, blood trails, deer behavior, terrain, weather and water sources are all things taken into account when figuring out where to start. We use traditional search and rescue techniques and search patterns to ensure no area is left unsearched.”

The Mayday team understands drones can be somewhat controversial.

“We want to be known as the guys that do it the right way. Safety is our No. 1 consideration,” Carr said. “We don’t cut corners, and we ensure we follow every rule and regulation out there, whether that’s local rules, ODNR rules or the FAA rules.”

The Mayday Drones team’s enthusiasm about the potential for their business is obvious.

“UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) are one of those tools that have endless applications and opportunities — from wildlife and herd management, agricultural surveys, and mapping to power line and solar panel inspections,” Carr said.

“The drone industry is a booming market,” Yoder said. “I’ve always been one to adapt technology quickly and figure out how to utilize it as an effective tool in life. From an entrepreneur standpoint, you always want to be on the train before it takes off.

“The drone industry train has left the station, and I feel like Brent and I were able to hop on right before it left.”

Mayday Drones offers services to a broad area, focusing primarily on Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Knox counties, and can travel statewide. For more information call 330-944-2314 or visit www.maydaydrones.com.