Top 10 Tips to Survive the Snowy Wilderness in theHunter: Call of the Wild

With the release of the new Alberta Hunting Preserve DLC we brushed off our snowshoes and hunted us some beaver!

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The Hunter: Call of the Wild stands as the benchmark for all hunting video games, often praised as the top choice available, boasting a ‘Very Positive’ rating on Steam. The latest addition to this game, the Alberta Hunting Preserve DLC, introduces a fresh, snow-covered Canadian landscape, teeming with new hunt-able animals. It also offers a new lever action rifle for an authentic cowboy experience and a narrative woven around the region’s unique culture and traditions.

For beginners with zero hunting experience (including myself), mastering the mechanics and improving skills might take some time. But don’t worry! To expedite your learning curve, we’ve put together a list of 10 essential tips to transform you into an expert hunter, reminiscent of the Predator, in no time. These suggestions are applicable to both the main game and the DLC, though we’ve highlighted some special features specific to the Alberta region throughout.

The exploration primarily revolves around the Askiy Ridge wildlife sanctuary, a significant portion of land belonging to the Métis people, an indigenous group with ancestry tracing back to a blend of First Nations individuals and early European settlers in Canada. With Janine Armstrong as your guide, you’ll have the opportunity to trap elusive beavers, hunt Manitoban Elk (respectfully), marvel at the breathtaking aurora borealis, and strive to protect pristine nature from unwanted development. Let’s embark on this adventure!

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Discover all the lookout towers and outposts

Initially, when venturing into uncharted territories, it’s advisable to explore extensively and locate most of the observation towers and outposts shown on your map. This exploration involves approaching them and pressing the E key. At these outposts, you can purchase new gear, engage in challenges, rest, and even change the time of day. Once discovered, you can quickly travel between outposts using your map, allowing for faster movement when seeking particular targets. Additionally, this process often leads you to ‘high-interest zones’ where certain animals tend to gather (more information on this coming up), and these areas will also be marked on your map. This method not only helps in moving around quickly but also provides early experience points.

As I traverse through this captivating open world, I find myself immersed in the heart of various story-driven missions. These engrossing quests lead me to explore nearly every corner of the expansive map. While on these journeys, I engage in hunting activities, adding an extra layer of excitement to my adventure.

Each location offers a unique narrative, seamlessly blending local lore and history into the main plot. In Askiy Ridge, for instance, I find myself aiding Janine in her efforts to rally support for the hunting reserve, thus preventing the construction of a destructive ski resort that could devastate the pristine environment. During my exploration, I stumble upon flattened shacks, likely felled by beavers, and learn about the area’s rich history and folklore, including the elusive sasquatch (regrettably, it remains unseen so far).

If you own the DLC featuring the 4×4 ATV quad bike, you can complete tasks faster when pressed for time. However, be aware that you might overlook important locations if you rush. On the other hand, you could leisurely explore the scenery, hunt along the way and make your journey more enjoyable!

Picking the right weapons & ammo

Before setting off on a hunting trip, visit the storage room at your lodge first and gather the firearms you prefer. Remember to move them from the locker into your inventory, along with the appropriate ammunition for those weapons. You can purchase new guns and ammo at the store using your earned money, but be aware that you’ll need to improve your skill level with each weapon type to unlock more powerful rounds and advanced firearms.

It’s crucial to choose the correct firearm and ammunition based on the type of animal you intend to hunt. Firing small .22 bullets at a moose will not be effective, while using hollow point magnum rounds for a rabbit would likely destroy its value as a trophy. Animals are categorized from Class 1 to Class 9, with higher classes requiring more powerful weapons. To determine the class of an animal, you can observe it through binoculars or check online resources. When purchasing your firearm and ammunition, ensure they match the appropriate class for the animal you’re hunting.

As an enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share my excitement about the latest addition to my collection – the Laperrier Outrider, a .30-30 lever action rifle, enhanced with the Alberta DLC. At an effective range of 75 meters, this beauty encourages a tactical approach as you maneuver closer to your game. Animals from classes 2-6 will succumb to one precise strike. For those seeking agility and stability in their shots, I’d suggest giving the Iron Sights a try. Despite its compatibility with various scopes, the gun’s performance is remarkable even without additional equipment.

In simpler terms, you’re free to equip as many weapons as your character can handle without any negative consequences, since you won’t exceed your capacity limit. However, be aware that boosting your carrying capacity by purchasing larger backpacks might attract more attention and generate noise. Also, remember to customize your weapons and assign them to hotkeys (1-0) in the main menu for easy switching during gameplay.

Finding the animals

To begin, the most effective method to locate different wildlife is by paying attention to their sounds, direct your character toward them, and then press E to recognize them. If you’re keen on a particular creature, walk towards it (avoid running unless they’re far away, as this may scare them off) and look for any footprints or signs. Since some animals are quite silent, start by searching for their tracks or droppings initially.

Should you suspect there’s some motion far off, grabbing your binoculars (which you can access by pressing ‘4’), adjusting the focus with the mouse wheel for a closer look, and then hitting E will provide details about any wild game that could be hunted – including its species, temperament, rating, and distance from you to assist in estimating your shooting range.

During your explorations, you might stumble upon an area with disturbed vegetation or other signs pointing to a ‘Rest Area’ for a specific wildlife species, which will be marked on your map when found. Alternatively, you could discover a location where animals gather to feed or drink, often near bodies of water like lakes or rivers. These places are collectively referred to as ‘Habitat Zones’, and they’re areas where the particular animal is likely to reappear within a certain timeframe (though it can’t be predicted exactly when within that period they will return). If you want to set up an ambush for a specific animal, you can utilize the ‘rest’ feature at your lodge/tent to move closer to the anticipated time window.

As a gamer, I’ve discovered that different tactics can help attract animals closer to me in this hunting simulator. To start off, there are some tools I have at my disposal (like the virtual duck caller), but many others need to be purchased from the in-game store. These additional items include sound-based callers, scent sprays, edible bait, and decoys.

As a gamer immersed in the captivating world of Askiy Ridge Reserve, I’ve discovered an exciting update that’s brought 19 diverse animal species to life! Seven of these critters are brand-new additions with this DLC expansion. The star of the show is the elusive North American Beaver. Keep your eyes peeled for their ingenious dam constructions along the waterways, and who knows? You might just stumble upon one. It’s said that they have a knack for toppling trees, though I haven’t had the misfortune (or fortune, depending on how you look at it) of experiencing that firsthand during my gaming session.

Correct shooting

A well-placed shot that penetrates an animal from the side, hitting its heart and lungs, tends to be the most effective in hunting. This not only boosts your score and the potential value of the trophy but also, ideally, hastens the animal’s demise, reducing the time you might spend searching for a wounded creature, which can sometimes take quite a while.

As you move towards the carcass and pick it, the ‘Harvest Check’ evaluates your hunt, awarding a ‘trophy score’ based on the cleanliness of your kill (ranging from bronze, silver, to gold). Different animals possess unique ‘trophy organs’ that should be spared during shooting for higher payouts. The more bullets you expend to slay an animal will reduce your potential earnings since it causes additional harm to the carcass, and inappropriate ammunition usage also contributes to this damage.

The position you assume (stand, crouch, lie down) significantly impacts the oscillation of your weapon or movement of your crosshair when aiming, and so does your heart rate, which is displayed in the bottom right corner and rises when you start running. To decrease sway even more for a brief time, you can momentarily hold your breath before taking your shot.

Each firearm and bullet variety features distinct speeds that influence how much the bullet will drop during flight. Wind can subtly alter the path of your shot, especially when using a bow. Typically, rifles are factory-set for a range of 150 meters unless zeroed individually.

Generally speaking, if your aim is slightly beyond or closer than the specified distance, you’ll need to make minor adjustments by shifting your crosshairs either below or above the target. This skill takes practice with different weapons and dedicating time at shooting ranges like Hirschfelden (for firearms) and Parque Fernando (for bows) can help you improve.

When you acquire the ‘zeroing’ skill and advance through its levels, you’ll find that your reticle (crosshair) can be adjusted for three different distances – 75 meters, 150 meters, or 300 meters. This implies that when your target is precisely within the crosshairs at any of these ranges and your weapon is properly zeroed, you can expect an accurate shot without needing to make further adjustments.

Tracking without spooking your quarry

Previously, we discussed that running isn’t typically advisable, but instead, there are numerous factors to keep in mind to prevent your target from fleeing in panic.

Pay attention to the noise meter located in the bottom right corner. In soft terrain such as grass, walking upright usually generates three white noise bars, crouching gives one bar, and fast-crouching (while holding down the shift key) produces two bars. Sprinting with the shift key held down exceeds the three white bars, moving into a single red one. Walking on harder terrain like rocky scree can increase your noise level by an extra bar. If tracks indicate that the animal is running, it’s best to follow them at a walk until they slow to a trot or walk, then you can fast-crouch until you spot them. Afterward, consider switching to crouch walking or even prone crawling before taking your shot.

It’s crucial to maintain a downwind position, as animals can detect your scent from afar. While using a scent eliminator product can help reduce your odor somewhat, it doesn’t guarantee complete concealment.

Immediately after firing a gun, animals will swiftly disperse and flee at high speed, necessitating promptness in any subsequent shots. If an animal is only wounded rather than killed, you can track it by its blood trail and footprints to locate it again. However, the amount of bleeding may decrease significantly over time depending on the seriousness of the wound.

Minimizing hunting pressure

As a passionate hunter, I’ve come to understand that the “hunting pressure” symbolizes the caution animals exhibit when revisiting an area, often a hunting zone, following multiple kills. This is visually depicted by a purple mark on the map, which gradually fades away with time. However, if I persist in hunting within this location before the blotch vanishes completely, the hunting zone will be eliminated entirely, and the animals will no longer return to that spot – they’ll move on and establish a new territory instead.

To avoid over-hunting in one area, it’s wise to keep your kill count between three to four, then shift to a new location. Reducing the intensity of hunting can be achieved by taking shots from hidden spots like blinds or stands, or by opting for a bow instead.

How to progress

In this game, much of the gameplay centers on accumulating money to purchase new equipment and leveling up by earning experience points (XP). Earning XP advances your character’s level, granting skill and bonus points that can be used to enhance abilities. You can earn XP through completing story missions, finding lookout points and outposts, and participating in challenges. Scattered throughout the map are collectibles such as antler sheds and historical artifacts that will also award XP. Maximizing your trophy rating by using appropriate ammunition for clean kills will result in higher earnings per kill.

In the process of advancement, your weapon proficiency level plays a crucial role. This is boosted by effectively employing a specific weapon (such as a rifle) to hunt and gather animals; with a higher weapon proficiency, you’ll gain access to an expanded array of guns, ammunition types, and attachments available for purchase in the store.

Many hunters aim to achieve clean kills on extraordinary animals, such as those classified as ‘rare’ or ‘diamond’, whose unique fur patterns or markings make them highly prized (like albinos or piebalds). However, these animals are not only scarce but also challenging to locate and hunt, particularly the diamond level ones.

Skills & Perks

At each level from 1 to 37, you’ll get a skill point followed by a perk point. Starting from Level 38, you’ll gain one every three levels until you reach Level 60. These points can be used in the main menu to enhance your hunting abilities in various ways according to your preferences, although some are more advantageous earlier on.

As a gamer, here’s how I’d rephrase that:

One skill you shouldn’t miss out on is ‘Zeroing’. Get it unlocked right away! ‘Soft Feet’ is another must-have, making your movements stealthy and quiet. ‘Spotting Knowledge’ provides additional details when you peer at an animal through your binoculars. Lastly, ‘Steady Hands’ reduces the wobble while aiming, which can be a lifesaver in tight situations. However, remember that it’s all about your gaming style; choose the Skills and Perks that best suit your approach to play.

Your loyal companion

After investing some time into the game, consider enhancing your gaming experience with a reliable canine companion! You can acquire these helpers from any hunting lodge or tent, as long as you have the appropriate game version or the necessary DLC. They may not drastically improve your hunting skills, but they will make certain hunts easier and provide a fresh element of progression in the game.

Currently, you’ll find three distinct breeds to choose from: Labrador Retriever, Bloodhound, and German Pointer, each excelling in unique areas. The Labrador is adept at retrieving game such as birds or rabbits that you’ve hunted, freeing you up for your next shot. The Bloodhound stands out due to its exceptional ability to trace wounded animals by detecting their scent from blood trails. Lastly, the German Pointer has a keen sense of smell and will indicate the presence of prey by extending its neck and body, raising one paw, and pointing in the direction of the animal.

In the menu’s control area, you’ll find a comprehensive list of commands for your dog. Mastering these commands earns your dog experience points, which improve its abilities and increase its obedience. Additionally, you have the option to personalize your dog with an array of stylish cosmetic accessories.

Take on Challenges

For long-term gamers, there are numerous tasks available for you to tackle, each requiring the use of different weapons to eliminate specific animals in specified quantities and methods. Additionally, unpredictable challenges such as ‘Truffle Pig’ emerge, where you must locate five mushrooms during a single hunting expedition. Achieving a challenge grants you a small badge and allows you boasting rights among your fellow hunters at the lodge.

Buy the Alberta Hunting Preserve DLC on Steam Now!

Starting from June 17, 2025, you can purchase the Alberta Hunting Preserve DLC on Steam. Sharpen your hunting abilities in the snow-capped mountains and pine woods of Canada right away!

2025-06-17 12:42