© 2026 by Arthur's Pass Wildlife Trust. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. v2.3 (13/07/2025)
Trapper is a simple online App for entering trap-line check data. It should only be used in a field situation when you have reliable mobile data coverage available. Capture data is not stored on your phone, so it is important you receive a positive response from the APWT server with each entry you submit.
Once you are logged into Trapper, and have chosen a trap-line and type, your session is recorded on the APWT server. This means should you lose mobile data coverage, your Trapper settings are restored once mobile coverage is regained. The same occurs should you close your browser during the session, though you'll need to log-in again. Your session settings are remembered until midnight, at which time they are automatically deleted.
Trapper records the start time of your session, and once the FINISH button is clicked calculates the elapsed time + some additional time for recording against your work hours. Because you select the number of persons checking the trap-line, Trapper will multiply your final work hours by the number of people. Should you click the FINISH button prematurely, you can restart a new session using the same or different trap-line.
On entry into Trapper you will need to select a Trap-line, tell Trapper how many people are assisting in the line check, and whether this work is associated with one of our contractors. Next you will need to select the type of trap-line (Mustelid Traps etc), and set a default Bait Type that will be deployed on the line.
The final data entry page should be straightforward. As you travel around your trap-line visiting traps, should you catch something, or a trap has "Sprung Empty", or you simply need to comment against a trap (eg. Box damaged, Trap needs recalibration etc), select the appropriate Trap Number. If you have double-set traps on your line, you will see T1 & T2 available against the trap numbers. Choose a Capture Result if appropriate (Sprung Empty or the animal species captured), or you can simply enter a Comment. Should you use a different bait from the default in this trap you can select it here also. Once satisfied with your selections click the green SUBMIT DATA button and wait for a positive response from the server. Move onto your next trap.
Note: Clicking FINISH without putting in any capture data or comments will result in a entry being placed against Trap 1 stating "Line checked. Nothing captured."
At any point whilst checking your trap-line, you can click the blue 'i' button underneath the top banner and view information about each trap on the line. This will include the trap make (eg. SG DOC 150), the NZTM coordinates of the trap, and display any capture data you have so far entered for your checks of the trap-line.
Trapper includes a basic mapping component. This is available by clicking the green 'M' button underneath the top banner. A map will display initially in Satellite image mode, and take you to the central part of your trap-line. Zoom in or out to view what part of the trap-line you need. You can also select a "Topo50" topographic map overlay should you require it.
Your traps are shown as yellow squares. You may also show your own position on the map by clicking the 'Show My Location' button. You will be initially asked to approve Trapper using your phone's GPS device. Your position will be shown as a red drop pin on the map. The accuracy of your position will be shown at the top of the map (most phones should eventually show a 5-10m accuracy level). Note: Your location is never sent to the APWT server, it is only used within the browser environment.