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Todd Graf and Justin Zarr dive into all topics bowhunting, interviews, insights, and real life experiences from over 15 years filming bowhunting adventures
66 Episodes
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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...
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 ...
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...
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 wait...
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—...
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 sab...
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...
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...
In this episode of The Watering Hole, the crew dives into a heated debate over "light discipline" and whether headlamps actually spook deer. While Todd swears by creeping through the darkness or using only red lights to stay "sneaky," Justin argues that white light makes zero difference, citing footage of deer ignoring bright beams from just 20 yards away. They suggest the fear of using lights is mostly a mental hurdle for hunters, especially since deer are already accustomed to car headlight...
In this episode of The Watering Hole, the crew breaks down the hard-earned lessons from the late season, featuring everything from brutal weather survival to the nitty-gritty of nonresident tag logistics. We take a deep dive into the recent shifts in Illinois nonresident tags, discussing the skyrocketing demand that led to the state selling out of its 25,000-tag quota for the first time in memory. The conversation covers the frustration many hunters felt this year, particularly during the la...
This week on The Watering Hole, the guys celebrate a season of major success, from big bucks on the ground to paying off late-season strategies. The conversation highlights the ethical responsibility that comes with hunting, featuring a dramatic story from Todd about rescuing a wounded deer trapped on the ice. Whether it's making the right stand decisions or knowing when to step in for wildlife, the crew dives deep into the moments that define a hunter's season. Beyond the hunt, we address t...
This week on The Watering Hole, the guys break down a season that truly had everything—big bucks on the ground, late-season strategy paying off, hard lessons learned… and an unforgettable moment when Todd stepped in to rescue a wounded deer trapped on the ice. The conversation starts with one of the most successful bowhunting seasons the crew has ever had, but quickly shifts into the responsibility that comes with success. From wind and stand decisions to waiting after the shot, the guys div...
In this episode, Justin and Todd dive into one of the spiciest mid-season conversations hunters are having everywhere: Has Illinois deer hunting changed for the worse? From the rise of crossbows and modern rifles to the explosion of drones, trail cams, and extended seasons, the guys unpack how shifting rules and shifting ethics affect herd numbers, hunter opportunity, and the trophy-buck culture driving today’s whitetail world. www.bowhunting.com
In this episode of The Watering Hole, we head straight into the timber to deal with the aftermath of a massive winter storm. With over 13 inches of fresh snow on the ground, the landscape looks perfect for big bucks—but we break down why these "dream conditions" can actually be a nightmare for bowhunters. We discuss the paradox of "dead still" days after a blizzard, where the woods are so quiet that even drawing a bow feels impossible without alerting every deer in the county. We also dive i...
Justin loses it as we dive into the total collapse of bowhunting ethics, calling out the channels that normalize terrible, long-range shots. We passionately debate why hunters are moving away from the "20 yards, perfect angle" standard and relying on recovery crutches like drones. If you care about the future of ethical hunting, this is a must-watch conversation! www.bowhunting.com
This week on the Watering Hole Podcast, the guys are fired up—Justin is fresh off a Kansas public land buck, Todd is officially tagged out, and the rut chaos has taken over everywhere. Justin breaks down six straight days of grinding out Kansas walk-in ground, scouting miles of public, finding fresh sign, rattling encounters, running into other hunters, and finally getting the perfect rut shot on his biggest buck ever. Todd shares the story behind his double buck season, plus an unexpected c...
Todd Graf is fresh off one of his craziest ruts ever—tagging out on two big Illinois bucks in just a few days! In this milestone 50th episode, Todd and Ben recap both hunts, share how high winds, changing temps, and quick adjustments paid off, and dive into what’s still to come this November. The guys talk rut timing, trail cam patterns, gear must-haves for cold sits, and how to stay in the game mentally as the season wears on. www.bowhunting.com
The rut is here, and the chaos is real! Todd, Justin, and Ben dive into the highs and lows of November deer hunting — from early morning anxiety and e-bike adventures to public land struggles, scouting stories, and prepping for big trips out west. Justin’s headed to Kansas, Todd’s dealing with deer drama at home, and the guys debate everything from saddle setups to why hunters really search harder for a 150” buck than a doe. www.bowhunting.com
The rut is heating up, and this week’s episode of The Watering Hole is packed with wild stories from the woods. With Todd still chasing mule deer in Colorado, Justin and Ben break down one of the craziest weekends of the season — from quiet sits and zero wind to back-to-back shots, bad hits, and a long night of tracking. Joey’s rollercoaster hunt has it all: a gut check moment, drone talk, and a tracking dog adventure that ends with one buck recovered and one still missing. Plus, Justin sha...
The countdown to November is on, and the Bowhunt or Die crew is fired up for the pre-rut! In this week’s episode, Todd, Justin, and the guys dive into their late-October gameplans — from all-day sits and calling strategies to how cold fronts, trail-cam data, and shifting deer patterns are setting up for an incredible rut. They talk target bucks, travel hunts, and what it takes to grind through those long days in the stand. Plus, a few laughs about wild hunting stories, near misses, and even a...
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