O'Gorman trivia buffs

What year was his first catalog?

I was going to say ‘81, but I think it was a few years earlier. My first catalog was ‘81 I believe.

1976

Thank you, I have an 1982, I was hoping that was the first one, lol.

I've seen a '79, I believe the front cover picture is Craig holding a coyote with one hand, and a shotgun in the other .....You know Nittany, you sold me an 80' - '81 a while back, Lol.

LOL, I forgot about that, I blame it on the meds I am taking.

Lol, Funny stuff.... I'm also pretty forgetful at times.

I know I met him at the very first NFH convention in Davey, NE. He had a booklet of his lures at that time. He was partnering with Lolyd Reineke at the time.I believe in '72?

Since 73'

From O'Gorman....some other trivia info

I started doing instructions in 1973 when Bill Nelson’s wife Edith, turned over to me what instructions Bill had scheduled before his death. I have instructed over 1,400 students.

I started making lures in 1973 for commercial resale, and turned the business over to Dana in 1978.

• In 1973 we started the modification trend and had Ron Hansen incorporate my ideas of the first modifications needed to improve the old pinch pan, 1 1⁄2 Victor Trap. He welded in a #2 adjustable pan, added #2 springs, #2 swivels and added #2 chain to the 1 1⁄2; ideas later adopted by the factory.

• In 1973, we were the first to market an ‘all metal’ Sifter made by Bill Anfinsin, out of sheet metal gauge duct material with a soldered and pop riveted wire screen bottom. • In 1974, I started using Coal Shale.

• In 1975 we introduced the first welded skinning pole for pickups, to the trapping world. • 1975, we were the first in the industry to recommend in print in “Wolfer Man”, to use Coal Shale for winter trap covering.

• 1976, we were the first to sell the Base Plate, D-Ring & swivel.

• In 1977 due to frustration with the losses of the coyote traps for the time, we were the field tester for the MJ-600 trap built by student Glen Sterling; a trap that used 4 coils, wide offset smooth jaws, an innovative new wire lever system, base plate D-Ring swivel. Ideas copied years later by the new comers to the industry. We were the first company in the U.S.A. to sell a laminated jawed trap with reinforced base plate, swiveled with the modifications to the #3 and #4 Dogless Montgomery trap, put on by Glen Sterling. Ideas we later put on the #3 Northwood’s and now use on the #3 Bridger Traps. An idea later proved by science in the B.M.P.’s to be in the animals and trappers best interest.

• In 1977 we were the first company to emphasize selling lure in pints and bait in gallons and 5 gallon quantities from the 1 oz. mentality.

• First stated in our 1978-1979 catalog, “Put the Paw on the Pan” till present day. • In 1980, we put the first commercial High Rolling Hammer on the market. An idea emulated by many in the industry now.

• In 1981, we put the first all steel “lifetime sifter” developed by Clinton Starke, on the market to solve constant replacement of the cheap disposable sifters of the time.

• In 1981, we introduced the Eddie Wimberley High Plains Plow to put a drag on the market that left more sign and hooked better than anything on the market, bringing “dragging” into a new level of efficiency. It had the first “pounded” points in the industry and was the first “antihitch” ever put on a drag.

• In 1983, we introduced the first Wyoming X, a 61/2″ smooth jawed, long spring trap; the first Wyoming XX trap with an 8″ jaw spread and the first Wyoming XXX trap with a 9″ jaw spread long spring Beaver traps custom-made with teeth because no factory was producing them.

• In 1983, we introduced the first Wyoming Stake Swivel, a box swivel with TWO holes so it could be used as a mid-chain or as a stake swivel. • In 1983, The System was put on the market and sold to trappers who could keep it a secret. It was the first all-metal slider used in culverts and in different lengths for beaver as one-piece, reusable drownder. We sold it until one “bottom feeder” stole the idea and put it on the video and then we took it off the market. • In 1984, we were the first to bring a complete line of videos on trapping to the industry.

• In 1984, we purchased from Vern Dorn, the original Dorn Calling and Denning dogs. At that time the bloodline was 35 years old. Although there are individuals who claim to have the original Dorn Bloodline; we are the only true breeders of the O’Gorman/Dorn Dog. The lineage continues today through us with 69+ years behind it. If the dogs are not purchased directly from us, they are not true O’Gorman/Dorn Dogs.

• In 1985, we were the first to market a Cavalry Picket Pin Swivel to treat a predator to better swiveling at the stake, copying the original Cavalry Picket Pin used for horses.

• In 1988 we introduced nationwide the first dependable, efficient Iowa Disposable Stake developed by Ron Hansen, to stop animals from pumping stakes and reducing theft. These made steel trap stakes obsolete for the real trappers.

• In 1988 we were the first to market snare Wammys and Kill Pole Stakes nationwide which changed snaring forever, also developed by Ron Hansen.

• In 1989 we were the first to market the Hopkins Break Away Device “S-Hooks” to save snaring by releasing large non-target species since the Gregerson shear out locks.

• In 1993, we were the first company to sell a commercial auger developed by Carl Gitscheff to make dirt holes.

• In 1993, we were the first company in the U.S.A. to sell a Granulated Wax and easy system for “solar” waxing dirt.

• In 1995, we were the first company to market the Big Sand Stake invented by Daryl’s Welding, to incorporate a better disposable stake to use in ‘blow sand’ of the sand hills, as well as the bottomless sand and mud in rivers.

• In 1996, we had the first all Steel Trowel put on the market, to stop the broken handles and bent trowel problems.

• In 1996, we were the first to market Cedar Fiber for trap covering in freezing weather conditions.

• In 1999 we were the first private company to introduce the Mullins Shear Pins (High Desert Break Away Cam Shear Pins).

• In 1999 we were the first company to offer the 50 Lb. Snare Tension Quick Choke Spring; followed in March of 2001 with the 75 Lb. Snare Tension Quick Choke Spring.

• In 2002 we were the first to market the Devils Hat Pins developed by Moninger; to have a simplified, stable, snare support system that didn’t turn in the wind like other systems in use.

NOTICE: It is important to understand that if we sell a product; we have tested it. We don’t market untested failures. We only market trap brands, cable, locks, etc. that are consistently professional quality all the way and have been proven in performance on the Long Line and Animal Damage Control Work. I wouldn’t own a truck that only started 90% of the time anymore than I would use a trap that lost 10-30% of the animals that were caught in it. If I don’t carry a brand of traps or snare locks; THERE IS A REASON.

• In 2002, Daryl’s Welding was making the Montana Simplicity Snare Supports for me personally; in May of 2005 he began producing them for commercial resale exclusively for O’Gorman’s.

• In 2004 we were the first company to market “coated” steel screen for pan covers. • In 2004 the first to sell lure in 2 oz. bottles, rendering obsolete, the 1 oz. mentality.

• In 2005, first company to market High Desert Spears by Mullins (later copied by people short on originality).

• In 2012, Wolf Wacker was released. Twice the power and pressure of any other Torsion Style or Stinger Style Spring; intended to quickly kill large coyotes and timber wolves.

I have run-besides long fur lines specializing in fox, coyote, mink, coon, beaver, and rats-private programs for Predator Control. Bounty work, so good, once with a partner, bankrupted a county’s bounty funds. I have worked for 6 years part time and full time for the Federal Government in Predator Control.


Craig O’Gorman doing a Question and Answer Session at the 2003 Iowa Trappers Association Fall Convention held at Jefferson, Iowa. Craig and Dana also received the “Iowa Hall of Fame” Award, while attending.
I have over 1,475,200 trapline miles behind me personally and over 49,150 total animals in my trapping career. Best 12 month coyote kills: 1,423, 1,343 and 1,105.

My best day on fox is 30 fox, 1 coyote, 1 cat, 7 badger and 1 coon out of 60 traps; 400 in 20 days; 500 in 30 days. My best on my coon and coyote line in Nebraska is 16 coon and 5 coyotes. My best day on a fox and coyote mixed line is 24 fox, 8 coyote and 2 coon. My best on coyote alone is 20 in one day; 27 in 2 days; and 103 in 10 days. My best on beaver is 30 in one day out of 65 sets with a partner. 7 mink at 1 stop in a short section of creek; 3 under one bridge one morning. My best on cats is 9 in one day. Best season 71 cats; next best was 69 cats.

I have written a lot of articles and various books, such as Co-Author of High Rolling Fox Trapping, Sept., 1974; Author of Wolfer Man, Sept., 1975; The O’Gorman Style of Predator Trapping, July, 1977; Open Water Beaver Snaring, Sept., 1978; Coon Snaring, Summer, 1978; High Rolling Fox Trapping, May, 1982; High Rolling Coon Trapping, May, 1982; Coon Update, May 1985; Fox Update, May 1985; Fox Update, April 1988; Hoofbeats Of A Wolfer, The O’Gorman Style of Coyote Trapping, August 1990; Hoof Beats Of A Wolfer Update 1992; High Rolling Fox Trapping Update 1993; Snare Update & Expanded Coverage of Snaring for the Hoof Beats Of A Wolfer 1995; 1996 Coon Update to High Rolling Coon Trapping; 1996 Snare Update for Hoof Beats Of A Wolfer; 2003 Update and 2006 Update for Hoof Beats Of A Wolfer. I have written articles for the Iowa Trappers Association; N.T.A. in the 1970’s; “Trapper” Magazine, etc., and was Field Editor in 1976 for the “Trapper”. I have also written articles for “Trapper’s World” magazine.

I have been a director for the Iowa Assoc., National Trappers Association Representative for Nebraska, one of the founders of the Nebraska Association, a past Director of the Montana Association; I am a lifetime member of the N.R.A., the Iowa Trappers Association, the National Trappers Association, the Montana Trappers Association and the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance; I have paid my dues. and contribute money and time for the betterment of trapping for over 58 years; almost half of it in a full time manner.

You would be shocked if you knew the reality today in our industry, the overwhelming percentage of people selling you lures, snare and trap videos that are really fur buyers or have multiple partners or only trap or snare long enough to produce a video for the year. In fact you would be amazed how few even trap or snare anymore; or how few days or weeks they do. Many couldn’t cut it as a fur trapper or an Animal Damage Control man and found it easier and more profitable, as a fur buyer, to trap you. Many times on products, how many days or weeks has the product been tested; in essence it is being tested on you, by you.

I like his catalog for sure.

One of the points mention using coal shale for winter trap covering.

Can anybody elaborate on this? Never heard of it.

I would like to hear more on that also Brownie!

ILcooner is correct 1973-1974 was first catalog with partner Loyd Reineke

Coal shale was his “trap covering of choice”. He would also give it a good shot of 50% glycerin, 50% coyote urine.

Thanks for the info.

It's weathered coal that has broken down, almost dust-like and lighter than many soils.
Since coal is a natural product in many areas and has natural water resistance, it to retardant to freezing !
Almost like an oil coating. It sheds water.
I see the same stuff here in SE Ohio, where they mine coal, and in West Virginia.
You will see it where coal banks have been pushed up from the ground and the weather and time have broken it down.
Shale rock often does the same thing
I used sifted shale as a covering in Oklahoma. Lots of it is in the eastern part of the state..

Thanks, LTGREY.

We have him on our program at our wyoming state trappers convention in august. You guys could come and ask him youre questions in person.

LT I have never used coal shale so be patient with me....since a lot of areas where trappers trap doesn’t have coal shale it seems there would reluctance by predators to work the set made from this stuff. Have you experienced this?

Scheide, the Ks Fur Harvesters was incorporated in 72, and Craigs, then wife, came down to help put it together. I didn't know about it or I'd have been there. I know that they formed the Ne Fur Harvesters before that, and it could of been the spring before, or the fall of 71. I was at the second meeting which was held at Keats Ks, just west of Manhattan that next spring, at Major Boddickers house and the Keats school house across the street. Just a little first hand trivia for you!

Thanks for the info Lee! I know I have pictures of him doing a couple water demos. He used to show some of his 8mm movies at the conventions too!

Okay, another question. His "updates" to books like his several to "Hoofbeats of a Wolfer" are they the entire book with additions or are they just additional material?

Back east I used railroad cinders as trap covering if I was near the old railroad bed. Worked just fine, can't remember it was more or less freeze resistant than dry dirt

They are added material.

Not taking anything away from O'Gorman's abilities and accomplishment because he is one of the great ones. But one of his greatest abilities is his marketing skills.

I was greatly influenced by his book High Rolling Coon Trapping. It was more motivation for me than methods, although there were some good nuggets of information in there. Much of the farmland style of snaring that I developed in the early 1980's is still being used today. He takes credit for some of that stuff I was doing prior to the dates he mentioned. I just didn't start writing about it until the early 1990's. I was too busy making a living trapping to promote myself until I was faced with the terrifying prospect of getting a real job, then I started writing and promoting. I didn't do my first instructions until about 1992 when I was no longer dependent on trapping as my sole source of income. In the 1970s and 1980's there were a lot of people developing techniques that just weren't talking about it.

It's good that he gives credit to people like Ron Hanson who never got the credit he deserved for some of his innovations. Craig is an innovator, a hard worker and a tireless promoter and I wouldn't take anything away from his lifetime of accomplishments, but just like me, he put things in the public eye that he wasn't solely responsible for. He has a loyal following for good reason, he has been out there doing it for many many years. My hat's off to him.

+1

his catalog is a riot. Truly both an innovator and a tireless self promoter.

It was an honor to be his student and customer, he was a good teacher for me