Episode 73: Public Land is RUINED

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

Episode 75: Trail Cams Changed Everything

In this episode of The Watering Hole, hosts Todd Graf and Justin Zarr dive into a mix of land management updates and a trip down memory lane regarding the evolution of hunting technology. Todd shares the latest progress on his property, detailing the recent planting of hundreds of swamp white oaks and red oaks, along with various shrubs intended to enhance turkey nesting spots and deer bedding areas. The duo also discusses recent local news, including a tornado that touched down near Todd’s place and the exciting NFL draft news of local standout Jennings Dunker being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The conversation shifts to a deep dive into how trail cameras revolutionized the hunting industry, as Todd and Justin recall the days of bulky 35mm cam-trackers that required manual film developing. They reflect on how this technology changed land ownership and hunting pressure, concentrating hunters into smaller areas as big-buck intel became more definitive. To wrap things up, the guys touch on the current surge in tick populations and the serious reality of Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome, reminding everyone to stay protected while out in the spring woods. www.bowhunting.com