I started reading this book for the umpteenth time. I picked it up at the little store in Summer Lake for $10 and a case of beer. Mr….maybe someone knows his name- he’s been the store owner since I started camping in the area in ‘98- was asking $15. Felt like I got a steal. Lol.

I didn’t have the honor of meeting Mr. Gilman in person,only via snail mail when I was 15. I always felt he was a good fellow, responding to my letters the way he did.

I’d like to hear the stories from folks who knew and spent time with him. I’m sure not all of the stories are in his book.

For those that haven’t read his book, I would highly recommend it.

Eedup -- (Dean Bartz) is in his book -- I'm sure he would have a story or two. I have only read the book twice -- enjoyed it.

I knew Bob Gilman personally. Meet him in the late 1970s or early 1980s through OTC and Oregon Trappers Association.

His son and my son were the same age, born a few weeks apart.

Not exactly a story but an interesting antidote - when I first met him (and his wife), he went by Robert (not Bob). His wife went by Judith (not Judy). He wouldn’t correct you about what his name was, but when he introduced himself, he always clearly stated his name as ‘Robert’. Not sure when he started going by ‘Bob’.

He was not only a good trapper but a hard worker for the trappers of Oregon. Served as President of OTA for a number of years and spent lots of time testifying at hearings and legislative sessions.

Gone too soon. He is missed.

Pm sent

Bob was a great guy, did wonders for Oregon trappers. I also met him the first time in the late 70’s. He asked me to trap bears for him one spring but I was swamped with orders for my artwork so it didn’t work out. It was a great loss to the trapping community when Bob passed.

Good Read

If it were not for Bob Gilman trapping in our state would be totally different...we would be in the same shape as Washington, a cage only state. Bob pushed me (and others) to work for our common good during two different anti-trapping ballot measures. Where he really shined was his ability to bring different groups together. MY belief is that it was this that made the difference when we were up against what seemed to be insurmountable odds. Without him convincing private forestry to step up financially we would have been sunk. Nobody else was as well positioned or as smooth to have accomplished that.

Bob was a great trapper and it surprised the heck out of me when he ended up being the high bidder for a beaver trapping trip (avec moi) for a OTC fundraiser. He was keenly interested in seeing how I trapped beaver. A great trapper in his own right, he was very humble about always wanting to expand his knowledge and learn from others. A trait that is somewhat uncommon for experienced trappers. Including myself.

Here's a Bob trapping story for you:

I was targeting otter on the Umpqua river and apparently I was on the same stretch of river as Bob...who was also targeting otter! We each had a different go-to set for otter. His was blind setting all the little rivulets of water that entered the main river with underwater conibears. Mine was setting up toilets. After comparing notes we each ended up with about the same otter take.

And finally, Bob was extremely interested in the history of trapping in our area. He had many rare and hard to acquire books on the history if the mountain man era for our state. An interest that we shared.
The following pic is a Hudson Bay era hand forged trap from Fort Vancouver that another trapper discovered in a cache at Siuslaw Falls and later was gifted to Bob. His family still has it.

I just got back from Corvallis/Albany area this morning. First time to go to the PNW. Good looking country once you get out of the cities. I will defiantly have to get my hands on one of his books, if anyone knows a source please pm me.

For the books, Contact eedup ( Dean Bartz ) I know he has some.

I think this is a photo of Bob the year I bought his book at Waldo lake. He was great willing to talk and share his wisdom.

I met Bob out on the trapline. I was trapping in Lincoln County on timber company land. That was before every road had a gate on it. I was pulling beaver traps and Bob was setting the same area as complaint work for the timber company. I saw him looking around and wasn't sure if he was a trapper but stopped to tell him I had just pulled out and we spent a long-time talking trapping. Later on, Bob recruited me to do a demo at Waldo Lake. Last time I saw him was when we were working on trying to get WEYCO to allow trapping on WA/OR lands. Had several meetings in Longview and Bob was pretty sick at the time but still working for trappers. If every State had a guy like him trapping would be in good shape.

I trapped marten with Bob the last year he trapped them. We were camped in his normal camp spot in the high cascades, his cancer had returned but he still trapped hard. Normally first one gone last to return kinda guy. I feel blessed that he showed me his marten trapping area before he passed. I first met Bob at Waldo lake, then I went to the NTA’s 50th in Lima Ohio, I had slept in the rental car, once it opened I went into the show. One of the first people I seen was Bob and he recognized me friends from there on. Great guy.

wws

Served on the board of the NTA with him for several years. As has been said, he was unassuming, so I had no idea of all he did until now! Always a rare voice of reason in the sometimes heated board meetings, real nice guy.

I never knew you guys rubbed elbows. Cool deal.

Got another "Bob" story: I was out on the coast trapping beaver on February 14th and Bob (who had purchased a beaver outing with me through an OTC fundraiser) accompanied me. When we were just about ready to head back to the boat ramp on Tenmile lake Bob asked me to pull over next to some pussywillows that were glistening silver in the waning sun. He cut a large bouquet of them to take home to Judy for Valentines day.

Every single Valentine's day I think of that and what a fitting expression of love from an outdoorsman like Bob for his beloved wife. In the past couple of years I've tried to reach out to Judy (wanted to remind her of that day) but the old land line number has since been retired.

Another legendary trapper that put a lot of time in trying to help trappers.

Carl I’m pretty sure I have it. I’ll text it to you. If not I have Sam’s number.

wws

the fellow who owns the summer lake store is Dale Kiono. Don't know if I spelled the last name correct