WHO ARE WE
DCTE, (Dawn Chorus Trapping Enterprise), is a subsidiary of Picton Dawn Chorus.
We were formed in 2019 with the intention of providing quality trap boxes at competitive prices for Picton Dawn Chorus or any similar organisations, particularly in the South Island.
We have refined our designs and processes to stay competitive and any proceeds we gain are all used by Picton Dawn Chorus to maintain and develop their operations. All our labour is voluntary and no person has any pecuniary gain from the enterprise. We have negotiated competitive freight prices and deliveries are usually within 3 days of collection from us.
We are very open to any modifications to our standard designs including making them from 19mm thick timber instead of 25mm thick. This can be an advantage if they need to be carried any distance. There are always improvements to be made.
Our weka proof boxes are made with extra length to prevent weka reaching the trap mechanism. DOC minimum recommended distance from entry to trap mechanism is 270mm but by adding an extra 60mm on top of this, we feel they may be suitable for kiwi in the future if we are lucky enough to get to that level of control.
We were formed in 2019 with the intention of providing quality trap boxes at competitive prices for Picton Dawn Chorus or any similar organisations, particularly in the South Island.
We have refined our designs and processes to stay competitive and any proceeds we gain are all used by Picton Dawn Chorus to maintain and develop their operations. All our labour is voluntary and no person has any pecuniary gain from the enterprise. We have negotiated competitive freight prices and deliveries are usually within 3 days of collection from us.
We are very open to any modifications to our standard designs including making them from 19mm thick timber instead of 25mm thick. This can be an advantage if they need to be carried any distance. There are always improvements to be made.
Our weka proof boxes are made with extra length to prevent weka reaching the trap mechanism. DOC minimum recommended distance from entry to trap mechanism is 270mm but by adding an extra 60mm on top of this, we feel they may be suitable for kiwi in the future if we are lucky enough to get to that level of control.
THE MAKERS
Beavering away in two Waikawa garages recently, a working bee of Picton Dawn Chorus volunteers constructed over a hundred pest traps designed for both Picton and further afield.
In all, 130 box traps were assembled, 40 of them containing the ‘DOC 200’ mechanisms designed specifically to capture rats and mustelid species - stoats, ferrets and weasels. The remainder will be equipped with rat only traps.
Thirteen men volunteered their time and expertise on the day, including three who were new to the task. This was a PDC Social Enterprise working bee, with some of the DOC 200 traps earmarked for the Pine Valley Outdoor Centre in the Wairau Valley. “The benefit is that the proceeds from the sale of these traps will go back to be spent on more trapping resources for Picton Dawn Chorus”, says organiser Trev Easton.
The social enterprise group meets to build traps three to four times a year.
In all, 130 box traps were assembled, 40 of them containing the ‘DOC 200’ mechanisms designed specifically to capture rats and mustelid species - stoats, ferrets and weasels. The remainder will be equipped with rat only traps.
Thirteen men volunteered their time and expertise on the day, including three who were new to the task. This was a PDC Social Enterprise working bee, with some of the DOC 200 traps earmarked for the Pine Valley Outdoor Centre in the Wairau Valley. “The benefit is that the proceeds from the sale of these traps will go back to be spent on more trapping resources for Picton Dawn Chorus”, says organiser Trev Easton.
The social enterprise group meets to build traps three to four times a year.