In 1925, Traill began working for the State Forest Service and the Department of Lands and Survey on Stewart Island.

He travelled by foot across most parts of the island and was primarily responsible for preventing people from hunting the native bird species.

In spite of his responsibilities, Traill later admitted to having made stew out of a number of bird species, including the weka and the kaka.

Traill marked many tracks on Stewart Island that are still used today, including one from Halfmoon Bay to Port Pegasus.

In the 1963 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the Stewart Island community.