… and likely wanted it that way

… only spoke to him a couple times.. but he left an impression

… the lion killer

I tried to find info but unsuccessful. Who is he?

I've got one of Bill's traps in my collection. He was an interesting man. I'd of liked to of met him.

Bill Applegate

When I lived in Texas, went to many a gathering and always enjoyed listening to Mr. Applegate. The man was tougher than a bag full of hammers. Wrote some good articles as well.

Traded some Newhouse parts with him and had a chance to meet him once.
I knew he was heavily involved with Texas Trapping Association at one time.
Trapped 'lions in S. Texas I believe.

When you google Texas his pic should pop up.

Thanks for sharing compadre!

“He’s from Texas I can tell by the way he’s 2 steppin’ across the room”

There was an article written on Mr. Bill Applegate back about eighteen years ago.
That is where the above photo comes from.

Texas Monthly did a piece on the trapper back in Nov. 2008.
TM had/has the biggest readership of any Texas magazine by a country mile.

Bill Applegate - Trapper - Texas Monthly Article

Mr. Applegate passed away on January 3, 2024, after suffering from complications of an abdominal aortic aneurysm,
which ruptured while hunting on December 10, 2023.
He was only sixty-three years old.

I never met Bill, but had phone conversations with him back in the day. He was a very friendly and helpful guy and a virtual walking encyclopedia of trapping wisdom.