Scott’s Blog

An adventure from the past!  This was a heckuva way to start out living in Alaska! http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19901212&slug=1109098 Wednesday, December 12, 1990 - Page updated at 12:00 AM Alaska Polar Bear Hunted Down Following Deadly Attack -- Animal Had Dragged Away Villager AP Scott Haugen learned to hunt elk, cougar and black bear just beyond his hometown of Walterville, Ore., but nothing he has experienced compared with the situation he faced last weekend, when he shot a polar bear after it had dragged a man away and eaten part of him. Haugen, a 1988 University of Oregon graduate, found the body of a man killed by a polar bear in Point Lay, a small whaling village in northern Alaska. Minutes later, he dropped the bear with one shot through the heart. ``It was a tough situation,'' Haugen, 26, said Monday in a phone interview with The Register-Guard in Eugene, Ore. ``I'm still shaken up by the whole thing.'' Although polar bears are protected under federal law, ``You can shoot one in self-defense,'' he said. Haugen said he has been deluged with telephone calls from the media and from wildlife biologists from all over the country. He has been told that this is [...]

Mid-summer is my favorite time of year to get out and scout for deer and elk.  Why?  Because bucks and bulls are in the open much of the day.  Not only are animals gathering nutritious food, but bucks and bulls hangout in openings much of the day to protect their developing antlers. Antlers are a symbol of dominance and a tool of protection, and animals don’t want to damage them.  Due to the high blood and nerve content held in developing antlers, it’s painful when the sensitive ends get banged on brush, trees, etc., which explains why animals can be found in the open this time of year. My favorite times for summer scouting missions are the first 4-5 hours in the morning and the last 4-5 hours of the afternoon/evening.  Animals will often feed late into the morning and become active early in the afternoon this time of year.  I also spot a lot of animals in the middle of the day, especially on hot days.     Because bucks and bulls tend to bed in the open through all of July and much of August (to protect their antlers), they can be found about any time.  While they may not [...]

A lot of folks in the NW are complaining about the rain we’re having this week....I say, bring it on!  More rain leads to better feed, and that means bigger antlers!    Last hunting season saw many big-racked bucks and bulls being taken around the West.  This was due to the wet spring and mild summer, both of which optimized antler growth. I predict this season out West will be even better, with more big bucks and bulls being taken than last season.This past spring was one of the wettest on record for some states. During the time of antler growth, rains spur the growth of quality vegetation which in-turn yields a nutrient-rich diet which optimizes antler growth.  The fact heavy rains occurred from March through June–during the most critical time of antler production–leaves no question there are some big antlers growing.  Recent mid-summer rains ensures the tops of buck’s and bull’s racks will continue growing. Velvet covered antlers are some of the fastest growing tissues on the planet.  Under optimal conditions, elk antlers in velvet can grow nearly two-inches a day.  Combine rain, quality vegetation growth, good genetics and increasing daylight hours and the stage is set for big antler production. [...]

After having recently posted my daily workout routine, I received lots of questions on workout alternatives.  Some great questions were raised.  The most commonly asked question was:  “Is P90X good enough to get me in shape for hunting out West?” The answer is a resounding YES....if you’re disciplined. Not everyone has the luxury of having a weight room in their home.  My wife and I have worked out for decades, and wanted to make a weight room part of our house.  This is nice because the gym is only a few steps from our home office, which saves us time.  But I recognize that’s not a possible setup for everyone...nor is there always time to get to the gym every day. I’m a firm believer in lifting weights to build and maintain overall strength.  If you can get to the gym and lift weights three days a week, that’s great.  Combine this with a cardio workout (running, biking, etc.) on the off-days, and you’re on the right track. Enter P90X.  If looking to burn calories, build overall body strength, tone muscles and get a solid cardio workout, P90X is it.  I’m not paid a dime to endorse the program, but I’ve [...]

When it comes to being in hunting shape, I’m often asked about my workout routine.  Working out is part of my daily life.  Not only do I workout in preparation for the many hunts I take in the rugged West throughout the year, but to keep in better, overall health, as well. Soon, hunting seasons kick-off out West and in preparation for the elk, deer, bear and other hunts we have coming up, I wanted to share my workout routine in hopes that it may help you be better prepared.  You’d be surprised by the number of camps I’m in each fall where hunters physically can’t get to the places they need to be in order to hunt.  The number one reason is they simply aren’t in good enough shape to tackle the rough terrain.  Don’t let this be you. Having lived out West my entire life, and making a living by hunting this harsh terrain, following is what I do to help me consistently find success in the woods.  I workout year-round to stay in shape, but these next two months are critical for hunters heading into the backcountry. For muscle strength I lift free weights six days a week.  [...]