The Watering Hole

In this week’s episode of The Watering Hole, the guys talk through one of the toughest parts of bowhunting — losing a deer. From shot placement and blood trailing to using tracking apps and recovery dogs, this conversation dives deep into what every bowhunter eventually faces.

Plus, we look ahead to an upcoming Colorado hunt, talk drought conditions, early October movement, and even some ATA trade show news. Packed with real talk, lessons learned, and plenty of humor along the way

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In this episode of The Watering Hole, the crew breaks down Ben’s off-camera buck story, self-filming struggles, and the chaos of trying to balance hunting season with real life. From KFC dinners to GoPro fails, this one has it all.

Plus, Mike Fitzgerald joins the table fresh from Minnesota as the guys talk about the cold front rolling in, Levi Morgan’s Pennsylvania giant, Paul Morrison’s Alaska moose, and why tree stand safety isn’t a joke.

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Opening day is here, and the guys are gearing up for another deer season! In this episode of The Watering Hole, Todd shares the bittersweet story of pulling his last trail camera from the Stockton farm, along with some unforgettable footage from the waterhole. Justin and Todd dive into their favorite hunting gear they can’t live without—from trusty releases to the Mystery Ranch bow case—and how they’re tweaking their filming setups with DJI cameras, GoPros, and tree arm mounts.

Along the way, you’ll hear scouting updates, fresh scrapes, acorns dropping everywhere, and even a hilarious story about Joey’s bow release mishap. The crew also covers early season strategy, wind and weather, scent control, and the anticipation of opening day success.

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Welcome back to The Watering Hole Podcast! In this episode, the crew covers everything from acorns dropping and deer movement to trail camera frustrations and even a record-breaking raccoon. We dive into the final countdown to opening day, share stories about gear mishaps in the rain, and debate broadheads, arrows, and the never-ending conversation about lighted nocks.

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This week on The Watering Hole Podcast, Ben shares the wild ride of his very first public land hunt — and it’s a weekend packed with lessons, laughs, and a few rookie mistakes. From saddle hunting in the dark to losing (and miraculously finding) his release, Ben’s trip had it all. He even gets up close with wary deer and learns the hard way about hauling one out of the woods.

The crew also dives into gear talk — from camera arms and backpack setups to the pros and cons of different lighted nocks — plus a hilarious RV story you won’t believe. Whether you’re new to public land hunting or a seasoned bowhunter, this episode is full of insights and entertainment you won’t want to miss.

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Todd is still off chasing the mountains of Colorado, so the crew holds down the fort and covers everything from farm sales and hunting leases to the bow vs. crossbow debate that never seems to die. We dig into what makes shooting a bow so addicting, why some hunters gatekeep crossbows, and how public land etiquette changes everything when trucks start stacking up in the parking lots. With Wisconsin’s opener right around the corner, we talk saddle hunting, ground setups, and how to survive long days in the stand with the right snacks and mindset. Along the way, we share some of our biggest hunting screw-ups, laugh about Waffle House adventures, and even squeeze in some Bears football talk. It’s hunting season, it’s story time, and this one’s packed with plenty of laughs and lessons.

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Join Justin and Ben on The Watering Hole as they dive into the start of deer season and what’s on every bowhunter’s mind right now. From bucks finally shedding velvet and showing up hard-horned, to food plot struggles, hunting from the ground, and big out-of-state adventures — the guys cover it all.

They swap stories about early season scouting, trail cam pics, and missed opportunities, plus debate the effectiveness of mock scrapes, food plots, and hunting strategies for 2025. Along the way, you’ll hear about some old-school bow nostalgia and what their personal outlooks are for this season.

Whether you’re chasing your first buck, managing food plots, or planning a public land trip out west, this episode is packed with relatable laughs and practical insights for every bowhunter.

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It’s almost hunting season, and the guys are fired up! In this week’s episode of The Watering Hole, Todd and Justin cover everything from poison ivy horror stories to prepping tree stands and blinds for the fast-approaching opener. They share lessons learned about handling vines in winter, trail cam updates as bucks shed velvet, and how early season weather shifts can make or break your hunt.

The conversation also dives into arrow tuning, lighted nock testing, and the latest treestand reviews—including what gear is worth your money and what to avoid. Along the way there’s plenty of laughs, hunting philosophy talk, and even a debate about who’s going to tag the first buck this season.

Whether you’re fine-tuning your gear, brushing in blinds, or just waiting for that first cool front, this episode will get you ready for October 1st.

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For More information on Dream Genomics, visit:  www.dreamgx.com

In this episode of The Watering Hole, the crew sits down with Dr. Gary Pusateri to talk about a groundbreaking approach to tackling Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer. From his bowhunting roots in Buffalo County to his work in human medicine and gene expression diagnostics, Gary shares how his team is developing a simple blood test—and even a Covid-style field kit—that could change the future of wildlife management and deer hunting.

We dive into the science behind it, the challenges with current testing, how deer farmers and hunters could benefit, and what this means for the future of whitetails. Along the way, the conversation covers hunting traditions, land management, and the bigger picture of keeping deer herds healthy for generations to come.

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What starts as a lighthearted pizza debate quickly turns into a deep dive on food plots, wind strategy, and the unpredictable moments that make hunting so addictive. Todd and Justin swap stories about chasing bucks, the realities of playing the wind and thermals, and how young Ben survive a rabid bat attack — complete with a falcon cameo.

You’ll also get practical tips for better food plot prep, from fertilizer choices to timing your planting, plus a behind-the-scenes look at improving water holes to keep deer coming back. It’s part hunting tactics, part off-season projects, and part pure chaos — just the way we like it.

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