Ramps for DOC Traps and covering Treadle Plates

Tips and Tricks from other trap.nz users
#1

The Info sheet will show you how to make ramps for DOC traps to smooth the transition from box floor to trap, also covers covering Treadle PlateTrap Ramps DOC trap.pdf (375.6 KB)
Processing: Trap Ramps DOC trap.pdf…

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DOC traps, what is the hard bit?
#2

Very useful advice thanks. I would also take the opportunity to temporarily remove the trap and fix the internal mesh to the ramp block with a couple of staples. This would prevent that pesky mesh bending out of shape when cleaning out traps.

#3

Hi the only snag there is if at some stage you want to take the mesh out you won’t be able to, like when there is a really rotten animal I tend to half open the trap and pull out the mesh with the rotten animal in the opening and give it a bit of a shake in bush to get rid of it and refit the mesh and set the trap cheers

#4

Crappy day here so after I posted this I was searching for what UK game keepers do as some are really clued up , might be of interest what they do with Treadle plates

cheers

#5

Thanks heaps Dave. A very interesting read and good to see things from a UK perspective. Also great to see a NZ-invented item being used overseas.

Both seem good ways to disguise/change texture of the treadle. Both paint and the cloth (camo) tape have reasonably strong smell when fresh. If this is an issue to be concerned about?

#6

Hi personally I would favor the Camo or similar Tape, If you want to take it off or need to change it then easy to do, also if you want to do something like rub a bit of lure into it that’s an option.
Hate to tell you that the DOC trap is not really a great Kiwi invention , it is a Swedish design that they changed the trigger design. NZ traps like these and Goodnature do well overseas as they can leverage off the DOC NZ pest control reputation.

#7

Oh well, at least we (Phil Waddington) made the Swedish trap better! :rofl:

#8

Hi if people want to try and cover Treadle plates this might be a good option as the broken pattern should be more natural

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#9

This duct tape looks even better!

Allen Vanish Camo Duct Tape 20yd x 2 MO Country

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#10

Hi I was going to get a roll of that as it looked good plus durable but local Hunting and fishing don’t stock it
One thing for people to watch is read the fine print on Camo Duct Tapes, some hunting Tapes are designed to be easy to remove, like if you want to put on the gun stock or gear during a hunt but take off afterwards, not really what you want on your traps

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#11

Thanks for the tip on removable tape, @dave_e - it’s good to know that treadle tape might still be an option for trappers who don’t personally own their traps (e.g. trap library loans) and can’t make permanent modifications!

#12

Hi I think you will find that the cheapest tape from Mitre 10 /Bunnings will peel off again ok, might just leave a small residue on the Treadle which should wipe off with Methelated spirits, you might even be able to convince the people who run the Trap Library that the Tape is worth trying
cheers

#13

Thanks Dave. Would be great to hear the results from those using the camo tape.

We need as many people to try different methods to find what works best.

A quick update on my modified Doc200. Since setting up the 200 here just over 2 months ago I have caught 6 hedgehogs and 3 ship rats. More importantly, every animal (100%) that has entered the box has gone over the treadle. Except for two hedgehogs that entered the box and found it already occupied by a dead hedgehog! :rofl:

For those new to this thread, my modified DOC200 has a two stage plywood step that is the same height as the set treadle, and the treadle has thin 2mm ply covering it. I have a camera on the trap 24/7 so I can see every interaction.

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#14

Hi Warren
thanks for the update and great to see you and other people thinking about how to make our existing traps more effective. People have been using the same traps for so long they naturally think that these instillations have been thoroughly tested and that is the best possible, but really it’s just a trap thrown in a box, and the internal mesh is needed to get the animals head in the right place so that any kills comply with NAWAC std
The work you and others is doing is showing what is really just logical, make a natural progression from box floor to Trap, so that the animal is not climbing up onto the trap, and make the Treadle plate more natural for the animal to cross. You don’t need to catch that many more animals to make a difference every one you catch is never going to breed again
keep up the good work

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