The Watering Hole

Episode 80: Have We CHANGED?

Welcome back to The Watering Hole with your hosts, Justin Zarr and Todd Graf! In this episode, the guys take a hilarious trip down memory lane as they look back at highlights and outtakes from their early hunting days. From analyzing how young and awkward they were 16 years ago to laughing at their old studio camera work, Justin and Todd reflect on how much has changed since season one. They also dive into a funny debate about some of the most bizarre hunting gimmicks from back in the day, including activated carbon Covid-style masks, alfalfa honey gum, and a highly questionable tree stand dummy designed to condition the local deer herd.   Beyond the nostalgia, the conversation turns to some essential gear talk and real-world outdoor frustrations. The hosts give a massive shoutout to Stealth Strips, explaining why this quiet, felt-like material is a permanent fixture in their hunting arsenal for silencing gear and handling quick field repairs. Justin also shares his recent headaches over a broken Ford truck turbo that turned out to be a simple sensor issue, contrasting it with the unmatched reliability of their decade-old Prius go-karts. To wrap things up, the guys discuss a serious modern concern: the recent rise of screw worm cases in livestock, before launching into a passionate rant against the epidemic of AI slop and ChatGPT posts currently infecting outdoor Facebook groups. www.bowhunting.com

Episode 79: Fathers Day Gift Ideas!

Welcome back to another episode of The Watering Hole! In Episode 79, hosts Justin Zarr and Todd Graf kick things off with some major breaking news: Todd officially lost the fishing bet. The guys dive deep into how a recent cold front and changing water temperatures flipped their fishing strategies upside down, discussing everything from sonar finders and weed problems to the specific triggers needed to get largemouth bass to bite. Because a deal is a deal, a celebratory trip to Chipotle is on the horizon.  The conversation then transitions from the water to the woods as the guys realize there are only four months left until opening day. They explore the subtle tactics of outdoor scouting, drawing a fascinating parallel between successful fishing techniques and the art of shed hunting and deer hunting. Todd and Justin debate the heavy reliance on hyper-specific gear, swapping stories about group chat arguments over infinite arrow setups, 5.0 vs. Axis 5mm pure carbon shafts, and weight distribution. In the end, they remind listeners of a simple truth: if you shoot a deer in the right spot, the fancy gear variables fade away. Tune in for a jam-packed episode highlighting upcoming summer fishing plans, food plot updates, and essential visual scanning skills! www.bowhunting.com

Episode 78: Reliving Our Worst Hunts

Welcome to The Watering Hole, the ultimate campsite hangout where we dive deep into the absolute best—and worst—of the hunting lifestyle. In this episode, hosts Todd Graf and Justin Zarr are holding nothing back as they relive some of their most agonizing, disastrous, and downright worst hunts in recent memory. If you’ve ever had a trip go completely off the rails, this one is for you. Plus, the guys talk strategy on a major milestone years in the making: finally cashing in those hard-earned Iowa points for an unforgettable tag. Whether you're a seasoned whitetail fanatic or just love a good camp story, grab a drink and join the conversation. www.bowhunting.com

Episode 77: No One Wants Your Mounts!

Welcome back to another round at The Watering Hole, where hosts Justin Zarr and Todd Graf keep it completely real about the outdoor lifestyle. If you’re looking for a highly polished, scripted lecture on wildlife management, you’ve come to the wrong place. This podcast is all about the raw, unfiltered camp-side banter you'd hear from a couple of seasoned hunters over a small cup of Duncan Donuts coffee. From breaking down tricky buck-to-doe ratios and navigating shifting state hunting regulations, to diving into the nostalgia (and clutter) of personal trophy rooms, Justin and Todd trade stories with the kind of casual camaraderie that only comes from years of sharing the woods together. www.bowhunting.com

Episode 76: Banning Cell Cams On PUBLIC?

Welcome back to The Watering Hole with your hosts, Todd Graf and Justin Zarr. In this episode, the team catches up while Todd is working remotely from the wilds of Montana. The conversation kicks off with a look at the latest scouting reports, including recent sightings of bucks starting to grow their summer velvet and the challenges of running trail cameras during the heavy growth period of late spring. We dive deep into recent legislative shifts in the hunting world, specifically focusing on the new cellular trail camera bans on public lands in Idaho and the potential ramifications of Michigan’s upcoming ruling on its one-buck tag regulation. The second half of the show transitions into practical land management and seasonal preparation. Justin shares his essential advice for maintaining food plots, emphasizing why early mowing and spraying in May and June are far superior to fighting head-high weeds in late July. We break down our preferred "budget" land management toolkit—consisting of an ATV-mounted boom sprayer and a mower—which can handle the vast majority of a hunter's needs. Finally, the guys discuss the stress of the spring application season, reflecting on the high costs of out-of-state tags and the agonizing wait to see if those preference points finally pay off for a dream hunt. www.bowhunting.com