The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks has named this year’s Wildlife Damage Specialist of the Year. Scott Phillips is the specialist for Harding and northern Butte counties, and was chosen for the honor by his peers at the department. Keith Fisk is the Wildlife Damage Program Administrator and says there are several things they look for in an award winner.

Fisk says when Phillips went to work for the department in 2011,his service area provided a challenging environment in terms of predators and people.

Phillips, however, was able to turn the area around with his lifetime of experience in trapping and working with producers.

Phillips has been trapping since he was six years old and in just this year alone, he’s eliminated over 550 coyotes within Harding and northern Butte counties.