The Watering Hole

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 the controversy surrounding the sale of KUIU and its ties to a high-profile landowner. We break down the "Ruby River War" in Montana, where legal battles over public stream access have pitted private wealth against the North American Model of Conservation. The crew discusses the strange dichotomy of major conservation donors who simultaneously sue to limit public access, and the impact this "big money" influence has on the integrity of outdoor organizations.

To wrap things up, we shift to the technical side of the late-season push, covering everything from Missouri's recent pause on CWD targeted removals to the evolution of trail camera technology. We debate the effectiveness of winter food plots like brassicas and winter wheat in deep snow, as well as the transition from SD cards to cellular memory. Plus, we hint at new tech features designed to help hunters filter through thousands of photos to find that one mature buck.

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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 dive deep into the real-world choices that define ethical hunting.

Todd shares the full story behind the deer rescue—what he saw, why he acted, and how moments like that remind us why hunters are often the first ones to step in when wildlife needs help. Along the way, the crew talks arrow and broadhead performance, late-season cold-weather gear, habitat improvements, and why sometimes the best decision is knowing when your season is done.

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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.

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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 into late-season food source mysteries: why are mature bucks ignoring the secluded, "safe" food plots and hitting the standing corn in the wide open? We break down the theory on bedding proximity and dominance.

Plus, we share a raw moment about the realities of filming and parenting in the tree stand. When fading light and an incoming storm forced a "no-shot" call on a feeding doe, it led to a heartbroken young hunter—and a critical conversation about ethics, tracking in the snow, and knowing when to let them walk.

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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!

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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 coyote encounter that sent him down a gear-buying rabbit hole.

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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.

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 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. 

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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 shares the story behind The Willand Buck, a 10-year-old Illinois legend finally tagged by his longtime hunting buddy, Mike. From over a decade of trail cam pics to shed antlers and countless encounters, this is a deer story you won’t forget.

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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 nudist music festival you won’t believe!

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