The Watering Hole

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.  

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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

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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.

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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?

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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.

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Welcome to The Watering Hole, the ultimate podcast destination for hunting enthusiasts, outdoor lovers, and anyone who appreciates raw, unscripted camaraderie! Hosted by seasoned hunters and outdoor industry fixtures Justin Zarr and Todd Graf, this show pulls up a stool at nature’s favorite gathering spot to serve up genuine conversations. From swapping legendary tracking stories to dissecting the intricacies of whitetail deer migration patterns, trail camera strategies, and optimal gear setups, Justin and Todd provide an authentic look into the modern hunter’s lifestyle. Whether they are laughing over a classic hunting camp disaccord or calling on viewers to help pull a rock legend onto the air, the dynamic duo keeps it loose, lively, and incredibly relatable.  

In each episode, the hosts bridge the gap between hard-won woodsman wisdom and the latest hunting technology. Dive deep into deep-dive discussions about maximizing the battery life of your setups, evaluating modern AI trail cam tools, and predicting the growth of summer bucks. More than just a collection of tactical hunting tips, The Watering Hole thrives on the natural, unfiltered banter of two lifelong partners-in-crime who aren’t afraid to give each other a hard time. Subscribe today, grab a cold drink, and join Justin and Todd as they break down the obsession, the lifestyle, and the unforgettable moments that make us proud to love the great outdoors!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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