The Watering Hole

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 headlights and trail camera flashes. To settle the argument once and for all, the team plans to consult a biologist to explain the science of deer vision and how they perceive different light spectrums. Beyond the headlamp talk, the guys prep for the upcoming Bowhunting and Archery Super Show in Indianapolis, defend their decision to use tracking dogs on recent hunts, and discuss the difficulty of finding mature bucks as the late-season weather shifts.

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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 late season, as they realized the "over-the-counter" safety net in Illinois is no longer a guarantee. We also compare the Illinois system to the points-heavy grind of Iowa and the increasing pressure found in states like Kansas. Beyond the paperwork, we share stories of chasing "ghost bucks" through teeny corn patches, the gear that actually survives a sub-zero Illinois wind, and why a "low-key" approach to social media might be your best scouting tool.

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