As an F.Y.I. (for your info) October is just next month.  With it comes the 1987 Mule Deer Hunt and the annual APFO Biggest Buck Contest!  We must keep in mind that Utah’s Fish and Game has put a limit on the dollar amount for the contests we hunters can join—that amount is $500!  Therefore, we can only have that many entries this year..so, remember it becomes a first0come0first-entered event—we stop at $500!!

Some of you have shown concern that I am the only child my folks had that lived (others aren’t sure even that is true).  As a matter of fact, and for the record, I have several brothers and two sisters.  One of my older brothers (Wapiti Dung) has as his oldest son, a tall lanky mid-20-year old who loves the games of baseball, softball etc.  He is good, even if I say so myself—hits homers nearly every game—plays 6 nights each week on 5 different teams.  The boy is awesome—ort of—as far as nephews go.  I’ve never seen him play—only heard his stories after the games.  I’m getting off my story.

His name is Jay and, like I said, he is tall and lanky—likes to box. Too!  He lucked out once in a local bar bout—won a case of Bud:  now he talks about going pro—will he ever learn?

We were all gathered around the fire one night up on the mighty Rock Creek, talking and making fun.  Someone asked, “Where is Jay”?  His wife spoke up and said he had gone down the canyon to play softball—this was a big game, his team was in the play-offs and had to battle a team from Wellsville (wherever that is).

At that time Jas was just Jay in the mountain man gallery.  The jug was passed one more time, and in that instant my wife said “Softball—I think his name ought to reflect his interest in the game”.  Someone else said, “Hold it, what if it gets misconstrued with candy making, where a drop of liquid candy is dropped into a glass of water…”!  “No”, my wife said, “Once they get to know the guy there won’t be any mistake”!

When he came back from the game we got the “talking stick” out, and around the council fire we paraded him, explaining the importance of a name and the earning of same.  He was dazed, numbed into stuttering when we christened him for all and eternity wherever mountain men shall meet…”Softball”!

Bears Butt

Spt-Oct1987