Assessor Resource

AHCPMG304
Use firearms to humanely destroy animals

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to destroy animals humanely using firearms. Shooting is a quick and effective means of humanely destroying animals and in some situations is the only practical method available in the field.

Shooting may be conducted on foot or with various vehicles. Techniques in shooting pest animals will depend on the type of animal that is being shot and whether the shooter is stationary or mobile. This unit is not applicable to using firearms from aircraft.

This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.

Firearms licensing conditions apply to this unit. Specific approval should be sought through the relevant State or Territory Firearms licensing agency.

Appropriate firearms licences and training are also required for those involved in training and assessment against this unit.

Destruction of pest animals must comply with state animal cruelty legislation. In addition to legal responsibilities, all units of competency dealing with animals in the AHC Training Package have the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Plan for the shooting job

1.1 Map location and boundaries for the shoot in accordance with the pest management plan and monitoring program

1.2 Confirm location of habitats, habits and range of movement of target animal

1.3 Determine timing of the shoot based on the activity patterns of the target animal and estimate time required to complete the shoot

1.4 Identify hazards associated with the shoot

1.5 Identify environmental and personal and public safety risks associated with the shoot

1.6 Identify and use suitable personal protective equipment and warning signs required for the job

2. Prepare for the shooting job

2.1 Confirm anatomy and physical features identifying location of vulnerable organs of target animal

2.2 Take precautions to minimise hazards and environmental risks associated with the shoot

2.3 Select vehicles, equipment and materials intended for use and check for serviceability

2.4 Check firearm licences and permits are applicable to purpose and obtain new license/permit if necessary

2.5 Select firearm and ammunition types to comply with those recommended for the target animal

2.6 Check firearms, ammunition, and stowage for transportation meets licensing requirements

2.7 Check and prepare firearm and ammunition

2.8 Zero and test fire firearm

2.9 Stow firearm for transport making sure it is unloaded and in a safe mode

3. Shoot animals

3.1 Carry firearm safely with muzzle pointing in safe direction at all times

3.2 Load, discharge and unload firearm safely

3.3 Aim firearm at vulnerable site, on the target animal and kill using a single shot

3.4 Check each target animal to ensure it is dead prior to selecting the next target animal where possible

3.5 Destroy target animals that have not been killed cleanly in a humane manner

3.6 Handle carcases that are required for research or commercial use carefully and in a way to minimise personal health and safety and biosecurity risks

3.7 Dispose of animal carcases that are not required for research or other purposes according to enterprise procedures to minimise biosecurity or public safety and health risks

4. Clean and store equipment and material

4.1 Clean and store carcases for research or commercial use

4.2 Clean and store equipment and materials

4.3 Clean, maintain and store firearms

4.4 Store ammunition safely

4.5 Report or record job completion

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

operate a firearm safely in accordance with statutory requirements

zero and test fire the firearm safely at a range under supervision at a distance that is commensurate with the target animals to be destroyed

stow the firearm safely for transport

clean, maintain and store firearms safely and in accordance with statutory requirements

check target animal is dead and euthanase immediately, if necessary, according to relevant animal welfare codes of practice

use personal protective equipment to handle carcases to prevent contracting zoonotic diseases

apply work health and safety policies and procedures at all times

apply biosecurity measures when handling, transporting or disposing of carcases

apply appropriate sustainability practices in the context of own work

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

how to find the pertinent information in the organisation's pest management plan

the environmental hazards and risks associated with the shoot

the safety hazards and risk management strategies associated with the shoot

how to check and prepare the firearm and ammunition

how to check a target animal that has been fired on to ensure it is dead

anatomy and physical features and vulnerable sites, or humane points on target animal

procedures for the safe handling of carcases required for research or commercial use

procedures for the safe disposal of animal carcases not required for other purposes

reporting and recording procedures required by the pest management plan

location and boundaries for the shoot

habitats, habits and range of movement of target animals

personal protective equipment required for the shoot

application of the 1996 National Firearms Agreement to the licensing, storage and use of firearms

firearm and ammunition types recommended for the target animal

State and territory gun control laws, acts and regulatory requirements relating to the use of firearms to humanely destroy animals

the basic requirements for ensuring the welfare of animals described in the relevant Codes of Practice

prevention of cruelty to animals legislation applicable to destruction of animals

basic requirements for biosecurity in the context of destruction of animals

Assessment must involve the use of a firearm but can be undertaken using live animals, carcases or simulated targets. Assessment must be conducted under field conditions. The assessment team must include assessors with firearms licences.

Assessment must comply with Animal Welfare Codes of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures.

Assessor must satisfy current standards for RTOs.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Plan for the shooting job

1.1 Map location and boundaries for the shoot in accordance with the pest management plan and monitoring program

1.2 Confirm location of habitats, habits and range of movement of target animal

1.3 Determine timing of the shoot based on the activity patterns of the target animal and estimate time required to complete the shoot

1.4 Identify hazards associated with the shoot

1.5 Identify environmental and personal and public safety risks associated with the shoot

1.6 Identify and use suitable personal protective equipment and warning signs required for the job

2. Prepare for the shooting job

2.1 Confirm anatomy and physical features identifying location of vulnerable organs of target animal

2.2 Take precautions to minimise hazards and environmental risks associated with the shoot

2.3 Select vehicles, equipment and materials intended for use and check for serviceability

2.4 Check firearm licences and permits are applicable to purpose and obtain new license/permit if necessary

2.5 Select firearm and ammunition types to comply with those recommended for the target animal

2.6 Check firearms, ammunition, and stowage for transportation meets licensing requirements

2.7 Check and prepare firearm and ammunition

2.8 Zero and test fire firearm

2.9 Stow firearm for transport making sure it is unloaded and in a safe mode

3. Shoot animals

3.1 Carry firearm safely with muzzle pointing in safe direction at all times

3.2 Load, discharge and unload firearm safely

3.3 Aim firearm at vulnerable site, on the target animal and kill using a single shot

3.4 Check each target animal to ensure it is dead prior to selecting the next target animal where possible

3.5 Destroy target animals that have not been killed cleanly in a humane manner

3.6 Handle carcases that are required for research or commercial use carefully and in a way to minimise personal health and safety and biosecurity risks

3.7 Dispose of animal carcases that are not required for research or other purposes according to enterprise procedures to minimise biosecurity or public safety and health risks

4. Clean and store equipment and material

4.1 Clean and store carcases for research or commercial use

4.2 Clean and store equipment and materials

4.3 Clean, maintain and store firearms

4.4 Store ammunition safely

4.5 Report or record job completion

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

operate a firearm safely in accordance with statutory requirements

zero and test fire the firearm safely at a range under supervision at a distance that is commensurate with the target animals to be destroyed

stow the firearm safely for transport

clean, maintain and store firearms safely and in accordance with statutory requirements

check target animal is dead and euthanase immediately, if necessary, according to relevant animal welfare codes of practice

use personal protective equipment to handle carcases to prevent contracting zoonotic diseases

apply work health and safety policies and procedures at all times

apply biosecurity measures when handling, transporting or disposing of carcases

apply appropriate sustainability practices in the context of own work

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

how to find the pertinent information in the organisation's pest management plan

the environmental hazards and risks associated with the shoot

the safety hazards and risk management strategies associated with the shoot

how to check and prepare the firearm and ammunition

how to check a target animal that has been fired on to ensure it is dead

anatomy and physical features and vulnerable sites, or humane points on target animal

procedures for the safe handling of carcases required for research or commercial use

procedures for the safe disposal of animal carcases not required for other purposes

reporting and recording procedures required by the pest management plan

location and boundaries for the shoot

habitats, habits and range of movement of target animals

personal protective equipment required for the shoot

application of the 1996 National Firearms Agreement to the licensing, storage and use of firearms

firearm and ammunition types recommended for the target animal

State and territory gun control laws, acts and regulatory requirements relating to the use of firearms to humanely destroy animals

the basic requirements for ensuring the welfare of animals described in the relevant Codes of Practice

prevention of cruelty to animals legislation applicable to destruction of animals

basic requirements for biosecurity in the context of destruction of animals

Assessment must involve the use of a firearm but can be undertaken using live animals, carcases or simulated targets. Assessment must be conducted under field conditions. The assessment team must include assessors with firearms licences.

Assessment must comply with Animal Welfare Codes of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures.

Assessor must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Map location and boundaries for the shoot in accordance with the pest management plan and monitoring program 
Confirm location of habitats, habits and range of movement of target animal 
Determine timing of the shoot based on the activity patterns of the target animal and estimate time required to complete the shoot 
Identify hazards associated with the shoot 
Identify environmental and personal and public safety risks associated with the shoot 
Identify and use suitable personal protective equipment and warning signs required for the job 
Confirm anatomy and physical features identifying location of vulnerable organs of target animal 
Take precautions to minimise hazards and environmental risks associated with the shoot 
Select vehicles, equipment and materials intended for use and check for serviceability 
Check firearm licences and permits are applicable to purpose and obtain new license/permit if necessary 
Select firearm and ammunition types to comply with those recommended for the target animal 
Check firearms, ammunition, and stowage for transportation meets licensing requirements 
Check and prepare firearm and ammunition 
Zero and test fire firearm 
Stow firearm for transport making sure it is unloaded and in a safe mode 
Carry firearm safely with muzzle pointing in safe direction at all times 
Load, discharge and unload firearm safely 
Aim firearm at vulnerable site, on the target animal and kill using a single shot 
Check each target animal to ensure it is dead prior to selecting the next target animal where possible 
Destroy target animals that have not been killed cleanly in a humane manner 
Handle carcases that are required for research or commercial use carefully and in a way to minimise personal health and safety and biosecurity risks 
Dispose of animal carcases that are not required for research or other purposes according to enterprise procedures to minimise biosecurity or public safety and health risks 
Clean and store carcases for research or commercial use 
Clean and store equipment and materials 
Clean, maintain and store firearms 
Store ammunition safely 
Report or record job completion 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPMG304 - Use firearms to humanely destroy animals
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPMG304 - Use firearms to humanely destroy animals

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: