The Road Hunter Podcast at Cummings Creek Retreat | Weekend Adventures with John Berger

Join us at Cummings Creek Retreat for a special episode of The Road Hunter Podcast! We sit down with John Berger to recap an action-packed weekend filled with building archery courses, trimming trees, creating food plots, and so much more. Hear the stories, tips, and laughs from our time outdoors making this retreat a hunter’s paradise. #TheRoadHunterPodcast #CummingsCreekRetreat #JohnBerger #OutdoorAdventures #ArcheryCourse #FoodPlots #HabitatManagement #WeekendProjects #HuntingLife

Related: mid-summer deer season prep.

What Makes Cummings Creek Retreat Different

John Berger built his archery courses to be the closest thing to a real hunting scenario you can get with a 3D target. Two of the courses give you the yardage to the animal but not its exact position, you have to find it. The third course strips even that away. No flat backstops, no straight-line walks: just realistic uphill, downhill, and across-the-draw shots through actual terrain.

325 Acres That Hunt Like Twice That

The property maps at 325 acres flat, but between the elevation change and the terrain, it hunts more like 500-600. Course four alone runs nearly three-quarters of a mile with targets out to 92 yards, and it requires a backpack, water, a radio, and a sidearm, not for show, but because mountain lion sign is real up there, and altitude alone will wear out anyone not acclimated to it.

Why John Built It This Way

John’s philosophy is simple: he gets more enjoyment now watching someone else make the shot than making it himself. That’s the whole retreat in one sentence: food plots, water development, archery courses, all built so other people can have the experience he’s already had. Safety comes first, everyone wears a seatbelt, signs a release, and carries a radio, but after that, it’s just a genuinely beautiful, private piece of ground with darker skies than you’ll find anywhere near a city.

FAQ: Visiting a Private Hunting Retreat

What should I expect from a 3D archery course built for hunters?

A well-designed course should mimic real hunting conditions, varied terrain, uncertain target positions, and realistic distances, rather than a flat walk with a clear backstop at every station.

What gear should I bring to a remote retreat property with predator activity?

A backpack with water, a radio for check-ins, and a sidearm for deterrence are reasonable minimums on ground with confirmed mountain lion or bear sign, even if you’re not actively hunting that day.

If you want to check out Cummings Creek Retreat for yourself, visit cummingscreekretreat.com. Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you in the next one.