OSRS How to Start Hunter: A Beginner’s Guide to Mastering the Skill

OSRS How to Start Hunter: A Beginner’s Guide to Mastering the Skill


Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a variety of skills to master, and Hunter is one of the most unique and rewarding. Whether you’re aiming to catch rare creatures, gather valuable resources, or simply enjoy a different pace of gameplay, starting Hunter can feel daunting without the right guidance. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to start Hunter in OSRS, from the basics to early training methods, gear, and tips for success. Let’s dive into the wilderness and trap some critters!

Hunter is a members-only skill introduced in 2006 that lets players track, trap, and catch various creatures across Gielinor. Unlike combat skills, Hunter focuses on patience, strategy, and exploration, making it a refreshing change of pace. It’s also a profitable skill at higher levels, with opportunities to earn gold from catching chinchompas or gathering rare items like bird nests.

What Makes Hunter Unique?

Unlike skills like Woodcutting or Fishing, Hunter requires active engagement with the environment. You’ll set traps, track animals, and even chase butterflies, all while leveling up to unlock new methods and creatures. The skill scales with your level, allowing you to set more traps (up to five at level 80) and access more lucrative hunting grounds.

Why Start Training Hunter?

  • Profit Potential: High-level Hunter methods like catching chinchompas can net millions of GP.
  • Passive Gains: Birdhouse runs offer a low-effort way to train while you focus on other skills.
  • Variety: From tracking kebbits to netting butterflies, Hunter keeps gameplay diverse.
  • Resource Collection: Gather feathers, furs, and herbs for crafting or Herblore.

Getting Started with Hunter: The Basics

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Ready to begin your Hunter journey? Let’s cover the essentials to kick off your training in OSRS. You’ll need to know where to go, what to bring, and how to get your first levels.

Starting at Level 1: The Natural History Quiz

The fastest way to jumpstart your Hunter skill is by completing the Natural History Quiz in the Varrock Museum. This mini-quest is accessible to all members and requires no prior Hunter experience.

  • Location: Head to the basement of the Varrock Museum, northeast of Varrock’s center.
  • How to Start: Speak to Orlando Smith and agree to take the quiz.
  • Process: Answer questions at each display case (RuneLite highlights correct answers for ease).
  • Reward: 1,000 Hunter XP, boosting you from level 1 to 9 instantly.

This method skips the slow early grind and sets you up for more exciting training methods right away.

Alternative Level 1 Start: Catching Polar Kebbits

If you’d rather dive into hunting right away, head to the snowy Rellekka Hunter area to catch Polar Kebbits.

  • Location: Northeast of Rellekka, near the Keldagrim entrance.
  • Requirements: A noose wand (buy from a Hunter shop in Yanille or Nardah for ~4 coins).
  • Method: Inspect burrows, follow tracks, and attack the final bush to catch a kebbit.
  • XP: 30 XP per catch, slow but immersive for beginners.

This hands-on approach gives you a feel for tracking, one of Hunter’s core mechanics.

Essential Gear and Items for Beginner Hunters

To succeed in Hunter, you’ll need the right tools. Here’s what to grab before you start trapping creatures in OSRS.

Hunter Shops and Basic Equipment

Visit a Hunter shop to stock up on essentials:

Item Use Cost (Coins)
Noose Wand Tracking kebbits 4
Bird Snare Catching birds 6
Butterfly Net Catching butterflies 24
Butterfly Jar Storing butterflies 1

Locations: Aleck’s Hunter Emporium in Yanille or the Nardah Hunter Shop.

Recommended Inventory Setup

  • Weight-Reducing Gear: Graceful outfit or Boots of Lightness to conserve run energy.
  • Teleportation: Fairy ring access (start Fairytale II – Cure a Queen) or teleport tabs.
  • Extras: Stamina potions for longer sessions, food for low-level areas with aggressive NPCs.

Since many Hunter areas are far from banks, mobility is key to efficient training.

Early Hunter Training Methods (Levels 1-20)

Once you’ve got your gear and a few levels under your belt, it’s time to explore early training methods. These will carry you through the beginner stages of Hunter in OSRS.

Levels 1-9: Crimson Swifts

If you skip the quiz, start with Crimson Swifts in the Feldip Hills.

  • Location: South of Yanille, near the Feldip Hunter area (fairy ring AKS).
  • Requirements: Bird snare.
  • Method: Set a snare and wait for a bird to land; collect feathers and meat.
  • XP: 34 XP per catch, ~10k XP/hour.

Levels 9-15: Copper Longtails

Move to Copper Longtails for a slight XP boost.

These birds are easy to catch and help you progress quickly to the next tier.

Levels 15-20: Ruby Harvest Butterflies

Switch to netting butterflies for a more active method.

  • Location: Piscatoris Hunter area.
  • Requirements: Butterfly net and jars.
  • Method: Chase and catch butterflies; release them for XP.
  • XP: 24 XP per catch, ~20k XP/hour with focus.

Tips and Tricks for Starting Hunter in OSRS

To make your early Hunter experience smooth and enjoyable, here are some pro tips to keep in mind.

Optimize Your Travel

Hunter areas are often remote, so plan your routes:

  • Use fairy rings for quick access (e.g., AKS for Feldip Hills, AKQ for Piscatoris).
  • Carry teleport tabs or a Ring of Dueling for banking.

Boosting Your Catch Rate

Increase your success with these techniques:

  • Bait: Add bait to traps (e.g., raw meat for kebbits) for a small catch rate boost.
  • Smoking Traps: Use a lit torch to remove your scent, slightly improving odds.

Note: These boosts are minor, so they’re optional for casual training.

Prepare for the Long Haul

Hunter gets more rewarding as you level up, so don’t get discouraged by slow early XP rates. At level 20, you can set two traps, doubling your efficiency, and at level 80, you’ll unlock five traps for maximum gains.

Combine with Birdhouse Runs

After level 5, unlock Fossil Island with the Bone Voyage quest and start birdhouse runs:

  • Method: Set up birdhouses with seeds, wait 50 minutes, and collect loot.
  • XP: Up to 1,120 XP per run with Redwood birdhouses (level 90).
  • Bonus: Passive training while you focus on other activities.

Starting Hunter in OSRS doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools, a solid plan, and a bit of patience, you’ll be trapping creatures like a pro in no time. Whether you begin with the Natural History Quiz or jump straight into catching Polar Kebbits, the key is to enjoy the process. As you progress, you’ll unlock faster methods, bigger profits, and a deeper appreciation for this versatile skill. So grab your noose wand, set your snares, and embark on your Hunter adventure today!