The Hunter: Catch All

Certis wrote:
Okay, I think I finally got the hang of it and how to use the calls.

Do tell! I haven't found the calls to be super helpful yet. Are you making them and then sitting still for a while? Do you make them after you've heard a deer?

Both really. If I'm feeling lazy then I'll just climb into one of the stands and do 2-3 full calls in a row and wait. If I get a response then I'll give one more call in my response and then watch the direction their response came from (you can see audio location on the HunterMate) and wait for them to come out. If there's no response after the first 3 calls, then I wait about 4-5 minutes and do another 3 calls. I'll just keep doing that until I get bored and then move onto another stand if there's never any responses.

If I'm tracking a deer then I'll wait until I've tracked them enough to be fairly certain they're pretty close. I look for a nice spot that I can go prone and still have a good view of the area I think they'll come from and then give one call to see if they get curious and turn around.

The thing about the calls is that sometimes they'll respond so you know something is coming and sometimes they'll just hear and come investigate. There's been a couple times I've been sitting for like 10 minutes watching an area thinking nothing is coming and then I stand up and just as I turn I see 3 deer go bounding off that I didn't notice came from my sides or behind me.

Earlier today I got a doe to walk right up to me. She was 10 feet or so from me before she sniffed the air a couple times and bolted off.

I read that wind direction can effect whether they detect you or not. I saw some guide that talked about using this bag of powder that you hold out and give it a puff and then watch which direction the powder goes. So basically, you want the powder cloud to blow back into your face when you're tracking. I don't seem to have this bag in my kit so I don't know if it was something that was removed or perhaps you only get it if you buy the Warden's license.

Vega wrote:

I read that wind direction can effect whether they detect you or not. I saw some guide that talked about using this bag of powder that you hold out and give it a puff and then watch which direction the powder goes. So basically, you want the powder cloud to blow back into your face when you're tracking. I don't seem to have this bag in my kit so I don't know if it was something that was removed or perhaps you only get it if you buy the Warden's license.

You got the smoke in a bottle when you get the Warden's license.

DrJonez wrote:

So I ran around the southern part of the island and never even saw a trace of a mule deer. Do they only inhabit certain parts of the island or something?

I've hiked it twice and I've never found any trace of mule deer on the Southern Island.

I've tracked numerous deer. I've seen three. Shot at two, hit once, but no confirmed kill. I received a wonderful chastisement from Doc too.

Apparently, I'm not the great woodsman hunter-type I thought I... oh wait.

I have yet to find a single spot of wildlife on the southern island.

Hemidal wrote:

I've tracked numerous deer. I've seen three. Shot at two, hit once, but no confirmed kill. I received a wonderful chastisement from Doc too.

Apparently, I'm not the great woodsman hunter-type I thought I... oh wait. :D

Ya, I got that email after my first attempt as well. I thought I just flat out missed the deer when it ran off, but after I quit out of the hunt the stats said I did hit it. Then I felt bad since I didn't go looking for it and Doc sent me a nasty-gram basically saying the same. I've now wounded several deer and usually you can follow its tracks and/or blood trail to find the body.

I learned a lesson on what not to do, though. Don't go into run mode and try to chase it. If you wounded it, but not enough for it to die it will just keep on running with the sounds of you crashing through the woods. It's better to walk or crouch and try to follow until you find the body. The other option is to just use your call and try to lure it back (yes, you can bring back a wounded deer with the call. Maybe not the most realistic, but it can be done. I'm guessing they'll patch it out eventually). I had a huge buck (I think it was bigger than my last 172 score one) that got away from me. It left no trail at all.. no blood (except the spot where I shot it), no tracks, and no poop. Just disappeared.

Pretty good hunt this evening.

Whitetail (M)138 3/8
Weight: 61.7 kgs (136.1 lbs)
Tracked: 15 Minutes 20 Seconds, 0.47 km (1558.4 ft)
Spotted: 22.6 m (74.2 ft)
Kill Distance: 18.1 m (59.5 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-12-2009 20:26

Mule Deer (M)168
Weight: 62.2 kgs (137.2 lbs)
Tracked: --
Spotted: 38.7 m (127.0 ft)
Kill Distance: 39.0 m (128.1 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-12-2009 20:48

Whitetail (F)N/A
Weight: 55.3 kgs (121.9 lbs)
Tracked: --
Spotted: 49.7 m (163.1 ft)
Kill Distance: 48.5 m (159.3 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-12-2009 21:16

Now I have a mission to take over 450 lbs of whitetail in one outing.

camnipotent wrote:

Weight: 135.1 kgs (297.8 lbs)
Tracked: --
Spotted: 59.3 m (194.6 ft)
Kill Distance: 21.5 m (70.5 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-09-2009 19:51

I tied you in the weight category.

Weight: 135.1 kgs (297.8 lbs)
Tracked: --
Spotted: 55.7 m (182.8 ft)
Kill Distance: 17.0 m (55.9 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-13-2009 02:51

On my last hunt, I had several apparently blind does almost step on me.

This one walked right on by and never noticed me.
IMAGE(http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/4269/muledoe2.jpg)

This one darted off after stepping on my gun.
IMAGE(http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/4614/closedoe.jpg)

Apparently, the next update of the game is supposed to include a camera, so I imagine there's be some "missions" to get some good pictures.

I had a pretty good night starting out on the south island and making my way up the campsite icon. Saw almost nothing but whitetail; I only heard one elk, and found several sets of turkey tracks. I was very lucky to get head or neck shots on all of them, so I didn't have to chase a one.

Whitetail (M)171 4/8
Weight: 63.9 kgs (140.9 lbs)
Tracked: --
Spotted: 20.3 m (66.6 ft)
Kill Distance: 19.1 m (62.5 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-13-2009 03:42

Whitetail (M)128 7/8
Weight: 99.9 kgs (220.2 lbs)
Tracked: --
Spotted: 53.1 m (174.2 ft)
Kill Distance: 45.8 m (150.2 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-13-2009 04:11

Whitetail (F)N/A
Weight: 44.6 kgs (98.3 lbs)
Tracked: 22 Minutes 15 Seconds, 0.29 km (961.3 ft)
Spotted: 33.4 m (109.6 ft)
Kill Distance: 27.4 m (90.0 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-13-2009 04:54

Whitetail (M)18 7/8
Weight: 82.2 kgs (181.2 lbs)
Tracked: 3 Minutes 42 Seconds, 0.14 km (469.2 ft)
Spotted: 66.5 m (218.2 ft)
Kill Distance: 53.1 m (174.3 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-13-2009 05:02

Whitetail (M)101
Weight: 99.6 kgs (219.7 lbs)
Tracked: --
Spotted: 129.5 m (424.9 ft)
Kill Distance: 113.4 m (371.9 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-13-2009 05:24

For those looking for buck mule deer, it seems the best place is in the northwest corner of the map. Also, the area just north of the mystical stones or whatever that place is supposed to be is good too.

Stengah wrote:

On my last hunt, I had several apparently blind does almost step on me.

It happens pretty regularly if you're prone it seems. I gave this one a hug before it darted off.

IMAGE(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o310/VegaGWJ/TheHunter/th_DoeUpClose2.jpg)

Stengah wrote:

Apparently, the next update of the game is supposed to include a camera, so I imagine there's be some "missions" to get some good pictures.

I noticed there's also a Gallery page so I'm wondering if using the camera will automatically upload to it. Basically giving us an in-game way to take screenshots.

I noticed that several of you have picked up a Warden's license. Are you finding the other animals and weapons worth it? It does feel a little empty out there with just Mule deer. Was thinking about picking it up before they get rid of it and switch to the individual purchasing of items.

Funny, I have zero desire to ever hunt in real life. See no need to take an animals life for the "sport" of it and all that. But I'm finding this game rather addicting.

I've really enjoyed chasing (and missing) turkey and elk, in the few hours I've paid up. I took down a Mule buck with the 30.06 though, which was entertaining.

On another note: Aries apparently got the sniper-rifle upgrade because he's on the top of our range leaderboard with a kill WELL over 100 yards.

Vega wrote:

I noticed that several of you have picked up a Warden's license. Are you finding the other animals and weapons worth it? It does feel a little empty out there with just Mule deer. Was thinking about picking it up before they get rid of it and switch to the individual purchasing of items.

Having the other animals is a neat addition that adds a lot to gameplay. I find that elk are really hard to track and sneak up on, plus you have to use the .30-06 which adds a lot of challenge (see below). I've managed to bag 2 doe elks, but I have yet to get close enough to a bull to take it. Whitetail are not much different from the mule deer, but spook a little easier, but there are whitetail specific challenges, and it adds a little more depth. I haven't tried turkey hunting yet (though I have seen turkeys in the field), and that adds a little more to the game as well.

The other weapons, not so much. The .30-06 rifle is almost useless with it's lack of a scope and terrible iron sights. The pistol is a bit of a diversion, but functions almost the same as the .243 rifle with a less powerful scope. I haven't tried the shotgun yet, but it's pretty much only for turkey hunting.

For $13 for 4 months, I think it's worth the upgrade to add a little variety to your hunts.

rabbit wrote:

On another note: Aries apparently got the sniper-rifle upgrade because he's on the top of our range leaderboard with a kill WELL over 100 yards.

Sweet, I didn't realize the Leader Boards could be filtered for just friends. Though in checking it, MoonDragon has beaten him with a 457ft shot. It must have been basically just a couple pixels in his scope.

-edit-
I went ahead and picked up a Warden's license. Time to get me a gobbler.

rabbit wrote:

I've really enjoyed chasing (and missing) turkey and elk, in the few hours I've paid up. I took down a Mule buck with the 30.06 though, which was entertaining.

On another note: Aries apparently got the sniper-rifle upgrade because he's on the top of our range leaderboard with a kill WELL over 100 yards.

Have you all had a chance to look at the leaderboards for the entire player base? The Mule Dear, All players, Range filter shows the top dude at 721.8 feet. I don't even know how you'd get a shot like that, let alone hit and kill a deer. It must be a shot across that middle lake or maybe on the edges of a concave shore curve in the island.

Insane.

I haven't managed to kill a damn thing, but I went for a 3 month Warden license. I figure it'll give me a more "target rich" environment.

Plus, I actually dig playing this in 30-45 minute chunks, tracking and trying to close in on a target. I don't think I could do some sort of marathon deer blind stakeout. Anyone know how to move the cursor in the breakout game on the Huntermate?

One thing, I wish they'd implement is some sort of key remapping. I'm a lefty and I don't do WASD except under duress.

Hemidal wrote:

Anyone know how to move the cursor in the breakout game on the Huntermate?

Left and right arrow if I remember correctly. Though, at least for me, it doesn't move very smoothly. It seems to move in set tabs or something and I had a hard time getting the paddle to where it needed to be in time.

Hemidal wrote:

One thing, I wish they'd implement is some sort of key remapping. I'm a lefty and I don't do WASD except under duress.

It's apparently in development, along with mouse axis switching, and mouse sensitivity. Until then, it seems many people playing the game use this key mapper to remap the keys they want to use while they play.

Tip which I find very useful ... if mentioned previously, I clearly missed it:

When you are about to shoot, hold down the space bar, it steadies your aim.

bennard wrote:

The .30-06 rifle is almost useless with it's lack of a scope and terrible iron sights.

I'll say. Something is very very wrong with that gun. The bullet does not go where you aim it.

-edit-
Did some checking on their forums and everyone seems to agree that the gun fires to the left and it needs to be patched. But if you're going to try using it (I am right now and not having much luck) then you need to aim a little to the right and below what you actually want to hit.

-edit2-
I give up with that gun. Tried 3 different times to down the same buck and I missed every time. I'd miss, track his retreat, call him back, fire, miss, track his retreat, call him back, etc. And we're talking taking shots within 50ft or less. I'm just going back to the .243 until either they allow a scope or fix the iron sights. Guess no elk for me.

I was able to take my first elk with the 30-06. Mind you, it was not fair or sporting in the least. I spotted a cow laying in the middle of a meadow, so I started walking up to it. I was about 30 feet away when I killed the poor sleeping beast. To be honest, I didn't think I would be able to hit it with the horrible accuracy of the 30-06. Now I'm hell bent to get a bull in a more sporting fashion to make up for my sleazy ways.

Weight: 264.9 kgs (583.9 lbs)
Tracked: --
Spotted: 81.0 m (265.8 ft)
Kill Distance: 10.7 m (35.0 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-13-2009 23:14

Vega wrote:

Sweet, I didn't realize the Leader Boards could be filtered for just friends. Though in checking it, MoonDragon has beaten him with a 457ft shot. It must have been basically just a couple pixels in his scope.

I actually got a 509' shot (if you look under my lifetime stats), but since it was on a doe it didn't make it to the leaderboard. And those are not that far away. I'm trying to break this record, but I'm having a helluva time finding something to shoot at lately. I did get a couple of 500+ shots in, but every time something goes wrong. Either I jiggle my hand, or the buck ducks 1/2 second before I pull the trigger, or something.

Whooboy! My luck with the south island has been mixed. I've covered the whole island before without hide nor hair of any beast. When I first tried out the new Warden stuff I figured that I ought to give the south island another try. I didn't take more than 3 steps before elk started bugling at me. It was then that I first discovered the quirks of the 30-06. I tried south island again earlier this evening but with no luck, so I did another hunt from the north. After shooting that poor cow I decided to go back to south, and not too far north of the stand by the lakes I found a bachelor herd of elk. I kept running into the same spike, but eventually got onto the trail of another and was able to spot it as at least a 3 point. I started putting the sneak on that one when another bugled at me from nearby and just uphill. I was able to crawl up and get a shot on him from about 80 feet away. Bagged and tagged I went to see if I could find the one I had been working initially. Luckily he bugled again and I was able get a position on him and started crawling to a better vantage point. I could hear him walking right in front of me(so I thought), so I went to a crouch to be able to see over the brush and take the quick shot. He wasn't there, I spun to my right and he was partially obscured by a small stand of trees, at which point he saw me and took off. He took off for the beach and I slinked along after him. I ended up with a great high vantage point, but the shot was a long one for the open sights on the 30-06. I decided to go for it. Pretty sure I missed the first shot, but thanks to the lever action I was able to keep throwing lead his way. He ran out of view so I went down to see if I could start tracking any blood trails. Didn't come across any blood, but I kept tracking, and sure enough there he was down the beach quite a ways and dead. Having elk bugle at you from so close is a spine tingling sensation in real life, and I think they did a great job with this game. It defiinitely got my blood pumping. Ended up with the 6th longest bull elk shot in the stats. Really lucked out with this guy.

Elk (M)125 1/8
Weight: 454.9 kgs (1002.8 lbs)
Tracked: --
Spotted: --
Kill Distance: 25.6 m (84.1 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-14-2009 01:18

Elk (M)108 3/8
Weight: 365.9 kgs (806.6 lbs)
Tracked: 23 Minutes 22 Seconds, 0.73 km (2404.8 ft)
Spotted: 98.4 m (322.9 ft)
Kill Distance: 136.7 m (448.5 ft)
Time of Harvest: 04-14-2009 01:32

Can't wait for the next generation fishing games-- the water is going to look awesome.

I finally got a chance to try this out and I must say I was not expecting this game to be as awesome as it is. It is very grabbing for me even if I suck at it. The environments are so peaceful and it feels like a great virtual getaway. I know nothing about hunting since I am a city slicker but this game is still cool.

I'm terrible at tracking things. The one deer I did find saw me and ran like hell. Took me 40 min to find my first one. All in all it is a great game and cant wait to play it more.

You can steady your aim with the spacebar?!? Awesome!
This is the game that I've always wished the Cabala's games on the consoles to be. I will be picking up the Wardens license fo' sho'.

P.S. I never checked the friends leaderboards until today. Grats to Moondragon and Druidpeak for extreme range kills! Also to Bennard and Stengar on some sweet racks! (scores...)

I bagged a doe! That sucker sure ran a long distance. I lost the trail and had given up finding it. I was tracking another deer when I came across it and confirmed the kill. I was totally prepared for another chastisement from Doc.

Hemidal wrote:

I was totally prepared for another chastisement from Doc. :)

I've lost a couple deer since that first one and so far there hasn't been more chastising from Doc. I know I hit them as there is blood on the ground and I can usually find one more track (usually either more blood or hoof prints) in the direction I saw them run, but then.. nothing. I spent an hour last night zig-zagging through the woods trying to find that doe and she was no where to be found. It so easy to find trails for deer slowly meandering through the woods, you'd think finding a trail for a deer, bleeding, and sprinting through the woods would be much easier.

From what I've read, most real hunters go for heart or lung shots, but it's pretty rare I get one to drop immediately from doing it in the game. There's a bit of grumbling on the Hunter forums about it and most people have taken to just going for head shots even though they would never do it in real life. I guess I'll start doing that as well.

I've had mostly good luck with heart/lung shots. I think I've had two bucks drop on the spot, another 2 or 3 ran maybe 40 yards before dropping, and a couple that bolted for the hills.

Has anyone run into the "getting stuck in a tree" bug? I have spooked a couple of bucks, and while tracking thier retreat I found them running full-bore but stuck up against a tree. One of them I had shot already, so I had to put it down but it just didn't feel very sportsmanlike.

Aries wrote:

Has anyone run into the "getting stuck in a tree" bug? I have spooked a couple of bucks, and while tracking thier retreat I found them running full-bore but stuck up against a tree. One of them I had shot already, so I had to put it down but it just didn't feel very sportsmanlike.

Ya, it's one of the known bugs that should hopefully be fixed in the next release (along with some other interesting additions). I also lucked out with a deer that I had shot and after searching for a while I found it running into a tree and was able to put it down. Didn't feel sportsmanlike, but I'm glad yet another didn't get away.

Oh.. and just noticed this!

Latest Fixes
Some issues were spotted over the weekend with the new 30-06 rifle, and a patch is in test for that now. Expect a small new download tomorrow, 15 April.

Nice!