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In Episode 96 of The Watering Hole, hosts Justin Zarr and Todd Graf share humorous mishaps, gear insights, and tactical strategies from their opening-week hunts. They laugh over common hunter blunders, emphasize tree stand safety, and recount close calls with bucks and sudden coyote interference. The hosts also discuss gear modifications—including 3D-printed saddle accessories—the timing of ground blinds, and the debate over early October morning hunts. Finally, they analyze an incredible 260-inch buck taken in Iowa and offer advice on pacing oneself through changing weather fronts for the rest of the season.  www.bowhunting.com

Welcome to another episode of The Watering Hole! In this episode, host Justin Zarr and the crew dive into the mid-season shift as cooler fall weather and unpredictable rain move in. The team unpacks the distinct strategies and mindsets behind hunting in varying weather conditions, from dealing with rain-soaked days to navigating eastern wind patterns. Between lighthearted banter about missing tags, workplace etiquette, and animal behavior, the conversation highlights the real-world frustrations and triumphs every hunter experiences when stepping into the woods.        As the season progresses, the discussion shifts into tactical gear choices, comparing traditional tree stand setups against the mobility and flexibility of saddle hunting. Justin and the crew break down public versus private land dynamics, trail camera strategies—including multi-angle and $180^\circ$ setups—and the subtle art of limb-trimming without disturbing cover. Whether you are looking for practical tree-stand advice or just want to listen in on genuine hunting stories and humor, this episode delivers valuable insights for every bowhunter. LINKS https://link.amazon/B0crQPJNX - S Caribeaner www.bowhunting.com

In Episode 94 of The Watering Hole, hosts Justin Zarr and Todd Graf jump into the nitty-gritty details of preparing for the upcoming hunting season. The guys catch up on gear check-ins—from evaluating new clothing options like sun shirts to comparing notes on mobile saddle hunting setups, platforms, and climbing stick preferences. They walk through the step-by-step realities of packing gear into the woods, managing mobile platforms, and fine-tuning equipment like stealth strips and bow slings to optimize efficiency when in the tree.    Beyond technical gear talk, the conversation covers late-season food plot strategies, planting clover and chicory, and navigating unpredictable early-fall weather. Justin and Todd also dive into the fun, relatable side of hunter prep, sharing stories about pre-season scouting, managing trail camera photos, and gear list quirks. Packed with practical advice, lighthearted banter, and authentic hunting insights, this episode is essential listening for any bowhunter gearing up to head into the woods.  www.bowhunting.com

In Episode 93 of The Watering Hole, hosts Justin Zarr and Todd Graf unpack a wild Wisconsin hunting trip that Ben recently took. The duo dives straight into the unpredictable reality of the hunt, relaying Ben's story of an opening-morning nightmare where his buddies' crossbow limbs exploded, leaving him without a weapon for the rest of his trip. Between reminiscing about their early days in the woods, discussing the dedication required to brave thick swamps, and debating how age alters a hunter's perspective, Justin and Todd bring their signature humor and unfiltered banter to the table.   The conversation takes a hilarious, high-stakes turn as the hosts dissect trail camera footage, debate buck sizes, and challenge each other's ability to accurately guess rack scores. Things really heat up as they fantasize about what they'd do if they struck it rich in the Powerball, highlighting a massive $44 million property and debating whether dropping that kind of cash on land is actually a smart investment. They round out the episode with hot takes on AI-generated trail cam photos, tag prices, and the ongoing debate surrounding crossbows versus vertical bows. www.bowhunting.com

Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, the guys get fired up as the 2026 deer hunting season officially kicks off. We break down the massive debate taking over Facebook regarding shot placement, early-season strategies, and why people want to push for 50-yard shots when they can't agree on a 30-yard hold. Ben is officially on the hot seat as he prepares for opening weekend on Wisconsin public land. Will he get the team on the board first, or is he passing up 100-inch bucks to hold out for a monster? We also dive into some crazy outdoor news, including the "Toe Buddy" deer sled winch, releasing a billion sterile flies to combat flesh-eating screw worms, and why broadheads sometimes leave wildly different blood trails on identical shots. www.bowhunting.com

Welcome back to another episode of The Watering Hole with hosts Justin Zarr and Todd Graf! In this episode, the guys kick things off by checking in on seasonal updates, including a recent fishing trip to Ontario, Canada, and a look at early deer hunting activity picking up across the region. From discussing the challenges of navigating thick forest burns to analyzing local velvet buck sightings and trail camera videos, Justin and Todd cover all the anticipation leading right up to the start of the season. Later in the show, the hosts dive into pre-season preparations, food plot strategies, and the unpredictable weather patterns impacting their setups. They also take a look at the latest hunting gear generating buzz online, including an innovative folding climbing stick from B7 Outdoors. Wrap up with the crew as they share key tips on mock scrapes, optimal camera placement, and getting fully dialed in for the upcoming hunt. www.bowhunting.com

In this episode of The Watering Hole, hosts Justin Zarr and Todd Graf jump into the reality of pre-season deer prep, trail camera strategies, and the inevitable highs and lows of target buck hunting. The guys break down a wild weekend story involving a target buck found dead off the road, discussing what it really takes to stay motivated when plans go sideways. From moving cameras to managing stand setups, they offer an unfiltered look at the grit and humor required during the late-summer hustle. The conversation then shifts to some of the biggest controversies in the hunting world today, including social media clout, poachers getting exposed online, and infamous hunting scandals from over the years. Justin and Todd dive into a heated discussion about hunting ethics, passing on big bucks vs. putting meat in the freezer, and how modern technology and cameras impact today's hunter. Plus, stick around for a few hilarious personal tangents on poison ivy nightmares and awkward encounters in the woods! www.bowhunting.com

Welcome back to The Watering Hole with Justin Zarr and Todd Graf! In Episode 89, the guys get super hyped as hunting season approaches. They dive deep into all things food plots—sharing personal stories from the field, including a hilarious mishap involving forgotten rakes, and discussing how recent soaking rains have been a game-changer for early germination. Justin and Todd also talk timing, soil prep, and the essential role of nitrogen and urea in getting those fall brassica plots looking like lush green carpets.   Later in the show, the conversation shifts to gear, archery setups, and the annual Bowhunting.com forum deer contest. The guys break down the contest rules—covering buck scoring, team dynamics, and a massive announcement about a $1,000 Lancaster Archery gift card prize pool for the winning team! Plus, Todd and Justin debate how they’d spend a free $100 on gear, from lighted nocks and fletching supplies to arrow wraps and release aids. Tune in for expert land management tips, gear talk, and classic bantering! www.bowhunting.com

In episode 88 of The Watering Hole, the crew sits down with special guests Justin Spring and Dylan Ray from the Pope and Young Club to dive into the past, present, and future of bowhunting. While many hunters immediately think of the record book and official scoring when they hear Pope and Young, this conversation goes far beyond trophy measurements. The guys explore the shift in how modern hunters document their harvests—from physical record books to social media—and why preserving the official history and validity of bowhunting remains just as critical today as it was when the organization was founded 65 years ago.   The discussion tackling the biggest debates in the hunting community today features topics like evolving archery technology, clarifying peep sights, and the hotly debated rise of crossbows during archery seasons. Justin and Dylan share insights into how Pope and Young works to protect the integrity of the sport, break down the non-typical scoring system, and unpack why the iconic Mel Johnson world record typical whitetail still stands unbeaten after six decades. Beyond the scores, this episode highlights Pope and Young's core mission to preserve, promote, and protect bowhunting privileges for generations to come. Tune in for a deep dive into conservation, ethics, and everything you need to know about joining the movement! MEMBERSHIP LINK - https://pope-young.org/Podcast-Membership www.bowhunting.com

In Episode 87 of The Watering Hole, hosts Justin Zarr and Todd Graf kick things off by counting down the final two months until hunting season begins. The guys dive into the thrill of early morning trail camera alerts, catching big bucks on live feeds, and how technology—and local baiting laws—have changed the scouting game compared to the "good old days". They also reflect on how early white oak acorns and apple trees are currently driving deer movement ahead of the fall push.   Later in the episode, Justin and Todd gear up for the upcoming season by breaking down their favorite whitetail backpacks and hunting setups. From comparing lightweight saddle gear to debating noisy zippers, janky materials, and ultimate stand comfort, the hosts take an honest look at what works in the field. Plus, they issue a challenge to the listeners: comment below with your go-to whitetail pack and let them know what gear you'll be trusting this fall! www.bowhunting.com

In this episode of The Watering Hole podcast, hosts Justin Zarr and Todd Graf dive into late-summer whitetail prep, property maintenance, and off-season scouting strategies. After a lighthearted chat about woodland poison ivy, summer humidity, and personal hygiene habits, the hosts pivot to the practical work required before bowhunting season arrives. Justin details his hands-on field prep, including spraying micro kill plots, clearing thick trail brush with mini skid steers and hand saws, and repositioning tree stands to better account for wind direction and thermal movement.   The conversation also covers recent trips to Iowa, reflecting on everything from local cross-state bike rides to placing trail cameras and evaluating food plot techniques like brassicas and drone-assisted seeding. The guys engage in a friendly debate on the tactical advantages of hunting low bottomland funnels versus setup strategies along steep high-ground bluffs and ridge lines. Tune in for land management tips, scouting updates, and essential tree stand safety checks as the crew prepares for the upcoming fall hunts.   www.bowhunting.com

Welcome back to another episode of The Watering Hole with hosts Todd Graf and Justin Zarr! In Episode 85, the guys sit down to chat about navigating the brutal summer weather, featuring a candid conversation on wildfire smoke, air quality alerts, and extreme heat. They dive into how these conditions impact scent control and deer movement ahead of hunting season, alongside a casual banter session covering sports—from the Tour de France and professional golf to their hilarious takes on soccer and its evolving popularity.   The conversation shifts to summer land management and fishing success. Todd and Justin break down recent fishing trips, sharing effective drop-shot techniques and bait choices for landing big bass in deep, warm waters. They also dive into critical late-summer food plot strategies, land lease developments, and practical tips for maintaining water holes and managing pond oxygen levels to keep wildlife and fish thriving through the summer heat. ARROW WRAPS! - https://shop.bowhunting.com/collections/arrow-wraps www.bowhunting.com

SIGN UP THREAD - https://forums.bowhunting.com/threads/2026-deer-contest-sign-up-thread.102854/ Welcome back to another episode of The Watering Hole! In episode 84, hosts Todd Graf and Justin Zarr are looking forward to a bit of a breather as baseball season slows down, giving them a few precious weekends before August 15th to tackle trail camera planting and deer scouting before football entirely takes over their schedules. The team dives deep into the upcoming season, sharing their strategic hopes of tracking down some big deer. They also catch up on the long-standing community built around their website's forum.   The core of this week’s conversation revolves around the forum’s annual deer contest, complete with a breakdown of its simple rules, photo verification requirements, and the intricacies of buck scoring. From debating the accuracy of manual tape measurements and Pope and Young scoring sheets to discussing how technology is shifting the landscape, Todd and Justin cover it all. They explore the fascinating rise of AI tools in hunting—specifically TrophyScan and stealth trail cameras that utilize animal detection and rack alerts—before wrapping up with a discussion on drone technology for farm management and the power of controlled burning to clear out invasive species. www.bowhunting.com

Welcome back to another episode of The Watering Hole! In episode 83, we are counting down the days as we get closer and closer to hunting season. In this episode, we break down our latest trail camera setups, comparing the old-school days of checking traditional SD cards against the game-changing AI software and "rack alerts" on newer wireless models. Whether you are dealing with a swarm of mosquitoes out in the woods or just trying to keep your gear organized, we talk about the reality of getting cameras out early and what it takes to track that mature buck you've had your eyes on.   The core of today’s conversation hits on a massive challenge facing modern hunters: urban sprawl and the systematic loss of hunting land. We look back 20 to 30 years ago when properties were abundant, contrasting it with today’s landscape of subdivisions, strip malls, and data centers taking over our favorite corridors. Finding a quality place to hunt has arguably become the hardest part of the sport, making door-knocking and securing permissions more critical than ever. Drop a comment below and let us know: what do you think is the biggest threat to hunting today, and how are you locking down your spots for the upcoming season? www.bowhunting.com

Welcome back to another episode of The Watering Hole! In episode 82, the guys are talking all about summer prep, shifting strategies, and the wild world of hunting draws. With July finally here, it's time to shake off the wimp status and get those trail cameras out into the woods where they belong. The crew dives deep into a massive reality check regarding the shifting draw odds, point creep, and non-resident tag allocations in states like Iowa and Illinois. They break down the real stats of what it takes to actually secure a tag nowadays, using Todd's recent drawing success as a prime example of why patience and long-term point accumulation are no longer optional. Beyond the regulatory headache of tags, this episode uncovers a major shift in land management tactics for the upcoming fall season. After dealing with non-stop rain and exploring properties three years removed from EHD outbreaks, the guys discuss giving their usual spots a rest and venturing back into original, historical hunting locations. From treating heavily hammered bean and corn plots to evaluating specialized gear like the new purpose-built hunting packs from Muddy Outdoors, this episode is packed with the practical, raw insights you need to optimize your own setup. Grab a cold drink, listen in on the camaraderie, and get ready to elevate your hunting game for the season ahead. www.bowhunting.com