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In this episode of The Watering Hole, we sit down with Todd Graf and Justin Zarr to dive deep into a variety of topics affecting hunters today. We kick off the conversation with some lighthearted banter before getting into the serious business of land management and the ongoing debate surrounding nonresident hunting regulations. We break down the realities of navigating different state systems, the complexities of tag allocations, and why it is more important than ever to have a solid plan before heading out into the field. The discussion takes a fascinating turn as we share stories from our recent turkey hunts and reflect on the evolution of hunting technology. From the days of navigating with giant, cumbersome topo maps to the high-tech, GPS-integrated world we live in now, we explore how these tools have changed the game for hunters across the country. We also touch on the controversy surrounding baiting and the intense pressure currently being placed on our public lands, wrapping up with some final thoughts on the future of hunting and the importance of conservation. NEW MINI ANTLERS - https://shop.bowhunting.com/products/mini-antler-set www.bowhunting.com 

Welcome back to the watering hole, where we are finally getting to the moment you have all been waiting for—the announcement of our big equipment giveaway. We have spent the last several weeks collecting entries from the local deer classics and expos, and we are beyond excited to award a high-performance, brand-new hunting bow to one of our lucky listeners. This isn't just any setup; the winner gets their choice of the latest 2026 model, including their preferred axle length, color, and specific draw specs to ensure it is hunt-ready the moment it arrives. If you entered at one of our recent show booths, listen closely, because we are diving into the results and explaining exactly how to get in touch with us to claim this custom-ordered prize directly from the manufacturer. Beyond the excitement of the giveaway, we’re digging into the realities of the spring season, from the persistent frustrations of turkey hunting to some serious concerns about local land use. We talk through a recent trip down to North Carolina that didn't exactly result in a filled tag, proving once again that even with the best gear, the birds don't always want to cooperate. The conversation also shifts toward the changing landscape here in Illinois, specifically how the rise of solar farms on adjacent properties might be shaking up traditional deer movement and habitat. We wrap things up by sending out some specialized gear kits to our runners-up as a thank you for keeping the community strong. It is a packed episode full of big wins and honest talk about the challenges we face out in the field. www.bowhunting.com 

In episode 71 of The Watering Hole, Justin returns fully recharged from his family vacation to the Disney and Universal theme parks to share his experiences from the trip. The crew dives into the grueling reality of walking nearly 40 miles in just a few days, debating the merits of different park experiences and the challenges of navigating massive crowds with young children. The conversation takes several humorous turns as the guys discuss everything from dash cams and traffic stops to the "rights" of filming interactions in public, making for a lighthearted and relatable start to the episode. Shifting focus back to the great outdoors, the team discusses the fast-approaching turkey hunting season and the importance of having a solid plan for the woods. They emphasize the value of using resources like the Hunting Lease Network to secure a spot for the season and encourage listeners to get their gear ready as the birds start moving. The episode wraps up with a look ahead at upcoming adventures, including fishing trips and a highly anticipated segment featuring players from the Carolina Panthers, so be sure to tune in and get ready for a busy season of hunting and fishing. www.bowhunting.com 

In this episode of The Watering Hole, we’re joined by Joe Coy from Fourth Arrow to break down the addictive world of self-filming your hunts. From budget-friendly phone setups and simple camera arms to advanced handycam, mirrorless, and remote zoom systems, we cover the gear tiers that help hunters capture better footage at every level. We also dive into real-world lessons from the field, including dead batteries, missed recordings, 360 cams, and why DJI action cams are becoming a go-to over traditional options. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to level up your production quality, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you film cinematic hunting memories without draining your wallet. www.bowhunting.com 

In this episode of The Watering Hole, we sit down with Skyler Bradley—the creator behind some of the funniest and most viral hunting content on the internet. What started as a few videos filmed on a job site turned into millions of views, a deer costume, and a completely different life. We dive into how it all started, the moment things took off, and the reality of balancing authenticity, hunting culture, and brand deals in today’s content world. Skyler also shares stories behind his most popular videos, close calls in the field, and what it’s really like going all-in on content creation. There’s plenty of laughs in this one—but also some real insight into how hunting media is changing. www.bowhunting.com 

Welcome back to another episode of The Watering Hole! In episode 68, hosts Todd Graf and Justin Zarr dive into a mix of wild stories and essential hunting updates. The show kicks off with a look at a unique 156-acre hunting lease in Iowa and a breakdown of a dramatic trail camera story involving wildfires in Nebraska. You’ll hear about a landowner who discovered a cellular camera melted to a crisp, only to find incredible footage of the blaze once the SD card was recovered. The guys also share a cautionary tale from friend of the show Paul Maser, who had a close call with a standing cornstalk while shed hunting that nearly cost him an eye, leading to a discussion on why safety glasses are a must-have in the woods. The conversation shifts to more lighthearted territory as Todd and Justin recount their own past mishaps, including Todd’s infamous "knife in the seat" accident during a pond build and the transition from the old days of film development to modern trail cam technology. With turkey season just around the corner, they discuss their upcoming plans for the spring and the challenges of hunting in multiple states. The episode wraps up with some nostalgic 90s hunting talk and a look ahead to next week’s special guest, Skyler Bradley. Whether you're here for the rugged outdoor advice or the hilarious personal stories, this episode has something for every hunter. www.bowhunting.com 

In this episode of The Watering Hole, hosts Justin Zarr and Todd Graf recap their recent trip to the Iowa Deer Classic and pivot toward their strategic plans for the upcoming spring habitat season. The conversation highlights the jaw-dropping rumors surrounding the legendary "General" sheds, including a polarizing million-dollar price tag, and leads into a debate about whether trail cameras act as "dream crushers" by removing the mystery of the hunt. Todd shares detailed logistics for his 190-acre farm, where he plans to use a mini-excavator to reconstruct water holes with rubber membranes and fabric, emphasizing the importance of non-negotiable practices like soil testing before starting any food plot. The duo also explores various gear finds and lighthearted interactions from the convention floor, ranging from custom orthotics for their aging feet to specialized "sneaky" lightweight stalking shoes and high-angle trail camera mounts. They recount the fun of meeting young hunters, specifically a group of kids participating in a "trade-up challenge," and offer some candid feedback for show organizers regarding earlier Sunday start times for the early-bird hunting crowd. The episode concludes with a shift in focus toward the upcoming Open Season Expo at the Kalahari Resort and a reminder to listeners to stay mobile by "shaking and moving" rather than relying on stagnant stand placements. www.bowhunting.com 

Welcome back to The Watering Hole! In episode 66, Todd and Justin dive into the tricky world of shared hunting leases and the delicate balance of hunting with friends. They break down a massive 300-acre lease opportunity in Wisconsin—which comes with a hefty $21,000 price tag—and debate whether splitting the cost between six or more people is actually a viable plan. The conversation covers the essential "gentleman’s agreements" every group needs, from deciding who gets first crack at the best stands to the controversial rule of counting a wounded deer as your one buck for the year. If you’ve ever considered going in on a property with your buddies, this episode is a must-watch to ensure your hunting season doesn't end up ruining a decades-long friendship. www.bowhunting.com 

In today's episode of The Watering Hole, Todd Graf and Justin Zarr catch up on some serious Iowa scouting and a few big things happening in the industry. Justin just got back from a 14-mile grind through the Iowa public woods, where he was prepping for his upcoming draw. He gets into the reality of hunting pressured ground—everything from finding "mega loads" of buck sign just a few hundred yards from the parking lot to stumbling over other hunters' locked trail cameras. They also talk about a 117-acre lease available in Wapello County and remind everyone to stop by their booth at the Iowa Deer Classic in Des Moines next week to talk big bucks and grab some new decals. www.bowhunting.com 

In this episode of The Watering Hole, Todd and Justin welcome back the infamous Tracker John to share the wealth of knowledge he has gathered from years of following thousands of blood trails. The discussion dives into the fascinating science of how tracking dogs process scent, specifically how they can distinguish between different types of blood—such as lung, liver, or gut—and how their behavior on the trail can help a tracker predict the likelihood of a successful recovery. John provides a professional perspective on the mechanics of deer recovery, explaining how environmental factors like moisture in the snow can impact a dog's ability to stay on a trail and why achieving two exit holes is a major advantage for arrow penetration and tracking. www.bowhunting.com 

In this week’s episode of the Watering Hole, we’re diving into that bittersweet post-season reality where the snow is melting and the itch for shed hunting is officially kicking in. We spend some time catching up on Ben’s recent outings in the mud—which didn't turn up any antlers—and discuss why Justin usually prefers to trade the antler search for some high-level spring scouting. There is also a pretty incredible update on a buck Jake shot back in November; it turns out the recovery was waiting for the guys just 50 yards from where they’d been parking their trucks all along. It’s a classic reminder that even with a dog tracker, these deer can pull a disappearing act right under your nose, leaving you to realize you've walked past them a dozen times. www.bowhunting.com 

We’re hanging out with 22-year-old archer and University of Pikeville student, who just came off a massive weekend at the Lancaster Archery Classic. Coming to us from Zanesville, Ohio, he opens up about what it was really like out there on the floor, from the nerves of switching divisions to the grit it takes to compete at the collegiate level. He’s been behind a bow since he was a kid, and it’s great to hear him reflect on how those years of practice—and even the tough second-place finishes—finally clicked into place for this big win. The best part of the conversation is hearing him describe that "flow state" where the world drops away and you just can't seem to miss a single X. But it’s not all serious target talk; he also lets us in on his favorite way to celebrate a major victory: buying a flashy new pair of cowboy boots. After his Vegas win, it was python, but this time around he’s eyeing some ostrich or alligator skins. It’s a fun, down-to-earth look at the person behind the bow, wrapped up with a sincere thank you to the Bowhunt or Die crew and the archery community that keeps the sport so much fun. www.bowhunting.com 

In this episode, we break down the high-stakes environment of the 2026 Lancaster Archery Classic, where a massive snowstorm forced the crew into a total rescheduling of the finals. Despite the record-breaking turnout, the pressure of the bright lights led to some unexpected performance struggles, including a "force field" mental block that kept arrows out of the center. We also dive into an unusual gear theory regarding stability on the line, exploring how "squishy" running shoes might be sabotaging your score compared to the rock-solid foundation of cowboy boots. The conversation takes a serious turn as we discuss the viral first-person footage of an hunter's controversial encounter with DNR officers. The incident, which sparked a lawsuit, allegedly involved a game warden harassing a driver for simply pulling over to look at a deer while having a weapon in the vehicle. We explore the fine line between legal "glassing" and illegal spotlighting, and how these high-pressure interrogations are impacting the hunting community. To wrap things up, we set our sights on the next year, aiming for the milestone 600 score, and tease a monster backlog of edited hunt footage dropping soon. www.bowhunting.com 

In this episode, the guys catch up on the bittersweet end of the football season, reflecting on how the Chicago Bears overachieved this year despite the tough finish. The talk quickly shifts to the woods after Todd shares a cool discovery—a vintage "artifact" Easton arrow found while scouting. This leads into a deep dive on the technical side of archery, breaking down what those old-school aluminum numbers like "2413" actually mean for arrow diameter and spine. Along the way, they share a few laughs over a heated debate comparing the simple perfection of oatmeal cream pies to the "bland junk" of sushi, while looking forward to hitting the Iowa Deer Classic and other big expos coming up this March.                                 The conversation takes a more serious turn as they look at how technology is changing the way we hunt, specifically through the lens of 360-degree cameras. Todd talks about how reviewing wide-angle footage was a total eye-opener, showing him exactly how many deer he was missing while distracted by his phone. This sparks a bigger discussion on hunting ethics and the growing controversy surrounding drones and trail cameras on public land. They weigh the "mind-boggling" number of cameras found in the woods against the potential for new regulations and the backlash from social media warriors. It’s a candid look at the struggle to balance high-tech gear with the traditional spirit of the hunt. www.bowhunting.com 

n this episode of "The Watering Hole," the team recaps their experiences at the most recent Archery Trade Association (ATA) show. The hosts discuss the new shift in the event being open to the public for the first time, debating whether the move successfully drives value for vendors or if the show's glory days of massive foot traffic are in the past. They also dive into a series of candid product reviews, ranging from innovative climbing stick accessories to some of the most experimental bows on the market. Highlights from the floor include a breakdown of the "Skyhook" hands-free climbing system and a look at the "Revolution" bow, which leads to a debate on whether high-tech designs always translate to better performance. The guys also share their thoughts on the practical side of gear, such as new solutions for stripping arrow wraps and the latest 3D targets from Reinhardt. Whether you're a mobile hunter looking for a lighter setup or just want to hear the latest industry drama, this episode covers the hits and misses of the show. www.bowhunting.com