Assessor Resource

AHCPMG414
Apply predator trapping techniques

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to effectively use leg hold traps to capture predator species, to release the animal unharmed as part of research programs or to humanely euthanase in accordance with pest management programs.

This unit primarily deals with the use of leg or foothold traps to capture predator pest species including dogs, foxes and cats. Animals may be native animals, domestic animals, animals determined to be pests or feral animals. Trapping techniques call for the use of a variety of equipment and may include the use of lures or attractants baits.

Trapping must be carried out in accordance with an approved pest management plan or research project plan.

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.

Some forms of traps are strictly regulated in some States and Territories in Australia. Specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory authority.

Where feral animals are trapped they may need to be euthanased with a firearm. Firearms licensing conditions apply to this unit, in particular the use of either Cat A, B or C firearms. 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.

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. Prepare for trapping

1.1 Identify purpose of animal capture and set objectives

1.2 Confirm the location and extent of the pest problem

1.3 Confirm target animal movement patterns and behaviour to determine trapping location and placement of equipment

1.4 Identify non-target animals present in the area

1.5 Estimate time required to complete trapping

1.6 Identify and check vehicles, materials and equipment required for trapping

1.7 Clean and maintain trapping equipment and prepare traps for trapping

1.8 Identify hazards associated with trapping and select appropriate personal protective equipment

1.9 Identify environmental risks associated with trapping animals

1.10 Determine correct protocols or requirements for entering and working on private and public land

1.11 Obtain relevant permissions and permits to enter property

1.12 Identify necessary precautions for minimising trapping of non-target animals

1.13 Tune, modify and prepare traps in working order to minimise non-target capture

2. Place and set traps

2.1 Undertake site surveillance prior to setting traps

2.2 Identify and interpret signs of target animal

2.3 Select and prepare trap site to maximise opportunity for trapping target animals

2.4 Position, set and calibrate trapping equipment and check it for strength and security

2.5 Apply lures, decoys or baits and toxins as required

2.6 Camouflage traps as required

2.7 Apply precautions to prevent trapping of non-target animals

3. Check and remove traps

3.1 Inspect traps at the required frequency

3.2 Identify trapped animals then release, destroy or prepare for transport as required

3.3 Handle captured animals humanely according to animal welfare Codes of Practice

3.4 Transport animals from site, when required, in a safe and appropriate manner

3.5 Observe work health and safety procedures and public safety requirements prior to and during trapping activities

3.6 Release trap mechanism safely and remove trap

3.7 Restore trap-site to its prior condition

4. Record data

4.1 Record details of trap sets and lures as well as target and non-target capture

4.2 Report results of trapping activities, including any incidents with animals

4.3 Report trapping results in relation to approved management plan

4.4 Record trap locations and capture using Global Positioning System (GPS) device, approved software or maps, where required

5. Clean and store equipment and material

5.1 Remove, retain or dispose of carcases as required

5.2 Clean and store and maintain equipment and materials

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:

humanely trap animals and release or destroy the animals as required

identify target and non-target animals in the field

check vehicles, equipment and materials for serviceability and clean equipment before starting and on completing the job

select and prepare the trapping site and restore it on completion of the job

position, set, calibrate and regularly check trapping equipment

manufacture and apply lures or attractants, if required

handle and euthanase captured animals in accordance with animal welfare guidelines

identify signs of target animals, using scent stations and other animal tracks and traces

summarise and present trapping data to supervisor

use appropriate data sheets or other recording instruments to record details of trap sets and lures as well as target and non-target capture

apply work health and safety practices in the context of own work

apply appropriate animal welfare practices in trapping and handling trapped animals

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

basic requirements for ensuring the welfare of animals described in the relevant Codes of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures

the purpose of the animal capture

the target animal's range, movement patterns and behaviour and how to apply knowledge of these to selecting trapping location and equipment

Factors affecting choices around equipment and resources and timing of trapping activities, including:

the reproductive cycle of the target animal

food preferences, both general and local, of target animals

biology of non-target animals that may be impacted by trapping program in the area

permissions and permits that may be required

suitable traps for the target animal

precautions that need to be taken to minimise trapping non-target animals

capture and humane killing methods for target animals

principles relating to property, stock and duty of care

how to camouflage traps

how to safely set off traps to render them inactive

work health and safety procedures that relate to trapping animals

recording and reporting requirements

how to use decoys and lures

how to prepare toxins

applicable State or Territory legislation on the use and storage of toxins

applicable legislation on the capture and handling of pest animals

suitable personal protective equipment

transportation methods for captured animals

Assessment must be conducted in a real work environment trapping live animals.

The assessment team must include assessors with firearms licences.

Assessors 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. Prepare for trapping

1.1 Identify purpose of animal capture and set objectives

1.2 Confirm the location and extent of the pest problem

1.3 Confirm target animal movement patterns and behaviour to determine trapping location and placement of equipment

1.4 Identify non-target animals present in the area

1.5 Estimate time required to complete trapping

1.6 Identify and check vehicles, materials and equipment required for trapping

1.7 Clean and maintain trapping equipment and prepare traps for trapping

1.8 Identify hazards associated with trapping and select appropriate personal protective equipment

1.9 Identify environmental risks associated with trapping animals

1.10 Determine correct protocols or requirements for entering and working on private and public land

1.11 Obtain relevant permissions and permits to enter property

1.12 Identify necessary precautions for minimising trapping of non-target animals

1.13 Tune, modify and prepare traps in working order to minimise non-target capture

2. Place and set traps

2.1 Undertake site surveillance prior to setting traps

2.2 Identify and interpret signs of target animal

2.3 Select and prepare trap site to maximise opportunity for trapping target animals

2.4 Position, set and calibrate trapping equipment and check it for strength and security

2.5 Apply lures, decoys or baits and toxins as required

2.6 Camouflage traps as required

2.7 Apply precautions to prevent trapping of non-target animals

3. Check and remove traps

3.1 Inspect traps at the required frequency

3.2 Identify trapped animals then release, destroy or prepare for transport as required

3.3 Handle captured animals humanely according to animal welfare Codes of Practice

3.4 Transport animals from site, when required, in a safe and appropriate manner

3.5 Observe work health and safety procedures and public safety requirements prior to and during trapping activities

3.6 Release trap mechanism safely and remove trap

3.7 Restore trap-site to its prior condition

4. Record data

4.1 Record details of trap sets and lures as well as target and non-target capture

4.2 Report results of trapping activities, including any incidents with animals

4.3 Report trapping results in relation to approved management plan

4.4 Record trap locations and capture using Global Positioning System (GPS) device, approved software or maps, where required

5. Clean and store equipment and material

5.1 Remove, retain or dispose of carcases as required

5.2 Clean and store and maintain equipment and materials

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:

humanely trap animals and release or destroy the animals as required

identify target and non-target animals in the field

check vehicles, equipment and materials for serviceability and clean equipment before starting and on completing the job

select and prepare the trapping site and restore it on completion of the job

position, set, calibrate and regularly check trapping equipment

manufacture and apply lures or attractants, if required

handle and euthanase captured animals in accordance with animal welfare guidelines

identify signs of target animals, using scent stations and other animal tracks and traces

summarise and present trapping data to supervisor

use appropriate data sheets or other recording instruments to record details of trap sets and lures as well as target and non-target capture

apply work health and safety practices in the context of own work

apply appropriate animal welfare practices in trapping and handling trapped animals

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

basic requirements for ensuring the welfare of animals described in the relevant Codes of Practice and Standard Operating Procedures

the purpose of the animal capture

the target animal's range, movement patterns and behaviour and how to apply knowledge of these to selecting trapping location and equipment

Factors affecting choices around equipment and resources and timing of trapping activities, including:

the reproductive cycle of the target animal

food preferences, both general and local, of target animals

biology of non-target animals that may be impacted by trapping program in the area

permissions and permits that may be required

suitable traps for the target animal

precautions that need to be taken to minimise trapping non-target animals

capture and humane killing methods for target animals

principles relating to property, stock and duty of care

how to camouflage traps

how to safely set off traps to render them inactive

work health and safety procedures that relate to trapping animals

recording and reporting requirements

how to use decoys and lures

how to prepare toxins

applicable State or Territory legislation on the use and storage of toxins

applicable legislation on the capture and handling of pest animals

suitable personal protective equipment

transportation methods for captured animals

Assessment must be conducted in a real work environment trapping live animals.

The assessment team must include assessors with firearms licences.

Assessors 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
Identify purpose of animal capture and set objectives 
Confirm the location and extent of the pest problem 
Confirm target animal movement patterns and behaviour to determine trapping location and placement of equipment 
Identify non-target animals present in the area 
Estimate time required to complete trapping 
Identify and check vehicles, materials and equipment required for trapping 
Clean and maintain trapping equipment and prepare traps for trapping 
Identify hazards associated with trapping and select appropriate personal protective equipment 
Identify environmental risks associated with trapping animals 
Determine correct protocols or requirements for entering and working on private and public land 
Obtain relevant permissions and permits to enter property 
Identify necessary precautions for minimising trapping of non-target animals 
Tune, modify and prepare traps in working order to minimise non-target capture 
Undertake site surveillance prior to setting traps 
Identify and interpret signs of target animal 
Select and prepare trap site to maximise opportunity for trapping target animals 
Position, set and calibrate trapping equipment and check it for strength and security 
Apply lures, decoys or baits and toxins as required 
Camouflage traps as required 
Apply precautions to prevent trapping of non-target animals 
Inspect traps at the required frequency 
Identify trapped animals then release, destroy or prepare for transport as required 
Handle captured animals humanely according to animal welfare Codes of Practice 
Transport animals from site, when required, in a safe and appropriate manner 
Observe work health and safety procedures and public safety requirements prior to and during trapping activities 
Release trap mechanism safely and remove trap 
Restore trap-site to its prior condition 
Record details of trap sets and lures as well as target and non-target capture 
Report results of trapping activities, including any incidents with animals 
Report trapping results in relation to approved management plan 
Record trap locations and capture using Global Positioning System (GPS) device, approved software or maps, where required 
Remove, retain or dispose of carcases as required 
Clean and store and maintain equipment and materials 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPMG414 - Apply predator trapping techniques
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

AHCPMG414 - Apply predator trapping techniques

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: