OSRS Hunter Leveling Guide: Fastest Path to 99 in 2025

OSRS Hunter Leveling Guide: Fastest Path to 99 in 2025


Welcome to the ultimate OSRS Hunter leveling guide! Whether you’re a beginner looking to dive into this skill or an experienced player aiming for that coveted 99 Hunter cape, this guide has you covered. Hunter is a unique members-only skill in Old School RuneScape that lets you catch creatures across Gielinor, offering both profit and a satisfying grind. In this detailed walkthrough, we’ll explore the fastest methods, essential tips, and alternative strategies to level up efficiently as of April 2025. Let’s get started!

Hunter isn’t just about chasing critters—it’s a gateway to valuable loot, unique gameplay, and even passive skilling opportunities. From early birdhouse runs to high-level chinchompa hunting, this skill scales in both profitability and experience rates as you progress. Plus, with recent updates like Varlamore’s Hunter Rumours, training has never been more engaging. Here’s why you should prioritize Hunter:

  • Profit Potential: High-level methods like black chinchompas can net millions of GP per hour.
  • Passive Training: Birdhouse runs let you level up while focusing on other skills or quests.
  • Quest Requirements: Skills like Hunter unlock key content, such as Eagle’s Peak and Fossil Island access.
  • Variety: From tracking to trapping, Hunter offers diverse methods to keep things fresh.

Getting Started: Prerequisites and Gear

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Before you set your first trap, let’s cover the basics. Hunter is a members-only skill, so you’ll need an OSRS membership. Starting at level 1, you can train anywhere with the right tools, but preparation is key to maximizing efficiency.

Essential Quests

Complete these quests early to unlock crucial training areas and methods:

  • Natural History Quiz: Found in Varrock Museum’s basement, this mini-quest gives 1,000 XP, boosting you to level 9 instantly.
  • Bone Voyage: Unlocks Fossil Island for birdhouse runs and drift net fishing.
  • Eagle’s Peak: Grants access to box traps for chinchompas.
  • Fairytale II – Cure a Queen (Partial): Unlocks fairy rings for faster travel.

Recommended Gear and Items

You don’t need much to start, but these items will make your journey smoother:

  • Noose Wand: For early tracking (e.g., kebbits).
  • Bird Snares: Essential for catching birds like crimson swifts.
  • Box Traps: Used for chinchompas and ferrets (post-Eagle’s Peak).
  • Hunter Potions: Boost your level by +3 to access higher-tier methods early.
  • Weight-Reducing Gear: Like the graceful outfit, for areas far from banks.

Fastest Hunter Leveling Path: 1-99

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This section outlines the quickest route to 99 Hunter, blending active and passive methods. The goal? Minimize grind time while maximizing XP per hour. Let’s break it down by level milestones.

Levels 1-9: Natural History Quiz

Kick things off with the Natural History Quiz in Varrock Museum. Speak to Orlando Smith in the basement, answer questions about the displays (RuneLite highlights correct answers), and claim your 1,000 XP reward. This skips the slow early grind, taking you straight to level 9 in minutes.

Levels 9-29: Feldip Weasels and Tropical Wagtails

Head to the Feldip Hunter area south of Yanille (fairy ring AKS or Castle Wars teleport). Use a noose wand to track Feldip weasels (48 XP each) until level 19. At 19, switch to bird snares for tropical wagtails (95 XP each). You can set two snares at level 20, boosting rates to around 15,000-20,000 XP/hour.

Levels 29-43: Swamp Lizards

Travel to Morytania’s swamp (requires Priest in Peril) and set net traps with a rope and small fishing net. Each swamp lizard yields 152 XP, and you’ll hit 40,000-45,000 XP/hour with three traps at level 40. This method’s click-intensive but effective for mid-level gains.

Levels 43-80: Birdhouse Runs + Red Chinchompas

At 43, unlock birdhouse runs on Fossil Island (post-Bone Voyage). Use digsite pendants to teleport, craft birdhouses (e.g., oak at 15 Crafting, maple at 35), and fill them with cheap seeds like barley. Each run takes 1-2 minutes every 50 minutes, netting up to 40,000 XP/hour passively.

For active training, switch to red chinchompas at 63 (Western Provinces Hard Diary recommended). Use box traps in the Feldip Hunter area for 150,000-180,000 XP/hour and solid profit (around 600,000-800,000 GP/hour).

Levels 80-99: Black Chinchompas

The endgame king of Hunter XP: black chinchompas in the Wilderness (level 32-36, southeast of Lava Maze). With six traps (five plus Wilderness bonus), expect 200,000-220,000 XP/hour and 1.5M+ GP/hour. Bring minimal risk gear and watch for PKers—profit comes with peril!

Level Range Method XP/Hour Location
1-9 Natural History Quiz 1,000 (one-time) Varrock Museum
9-29 Feldip Weasels/Tropical Wagtails 15,000-20,000 Feldip Hills
29-43 Swamp Lizards 40,000-45,000 Morytania Swamp
43-80 Birdhouse Runs + Red Chinchompas 40,000-180,000 Fossil Island/Feldip
80-99 Black Chinchompas 200,000-220,000 Wilderness

Alternative Hunter Training Methods

Not everyone wants the fastest path—some prefer variety, profit, or AFK options. Here are standout alternatives to mix into your grind.

Herbiboar (Level 80+)

Track herbiboars on Fossil Island for 150,000-160,000 XP/hour, plus herbs for Herblore training. You’ll need 31 Herblore and a stamina potion supply. It’s less intense than chinchompas and offers a 1/6,500 chance at the Herbi pet.

Hunter Rumours (Level 46+)

Introduced with Varlamore, visit the Hunter Guild in Avium Savannah to pick up tasks from NPCs like Guild Hunters. Expert contracts at 72+ yield 100,000-130,000 XP/hour with variety—think tecu salamanders or pyre foxes. It’s a fun, Slayer-like twist.

Drift Net Fishing (Level 44+)

Combine Hunter and Fishing XP underwater on Fossil Island (47 Fishing required). With a fishbowl helmet, diving apparatus, and drift nets, you’ll get 70,000-90,000 Hunter XP/hour. Perfect for multi-skill training, though slower for Hunter alone.

Maniacal Monkeys (Level 60+)

Post-Monkey Madness II, hunt maniacal monkeys in Kruk’s Dungeon with bananas as bait. It’s AFK-friendly at 50,000-60,000 XP/hour—ideal for Netflix-and-skill sessions.

Tips to Maximize Your Hunter Efficiency

Leveling Hunter can be a breeze with the right approach. Here are pro tips to optimize your training:

Use RuneLite Plugins

RuneLite’s Hunter plugin marks trap locations and timers, reducing guesswork and boosting efficiency. Enable it for birdhouse runs or chinchompa hunting.

Boost with Hunter Potions

Craft or buy Hunter potions (grimy avantoe + kebbit teeth dust) to hit level requirements early. A +3 boost can unlock red chinchompas at 60 or herbiboar at 77.

Plan Birdhouse Runs

Do two runs daily (morning and evening) for passive XP. Stack logs and clockworks in your bank to craft on-site—maple birdhouses (280 XP each) are cost-effective up to 99.

Stay Safe in the Wilderness

For black chinchompas, wear cheap gear, bring a one-click teleport (e.g., royal seed pod), and scout with an alt if possible. Avoid peak PK hours for safer sessions.

With this OSRS Hunter leveling guide, you’re equipped to tackle the skill from 1 to 99 in 2025. Whether you grind black chins for speed and profit or chill with birdhouses, the path is yours to choose. Happy hunting, and may your traps always catch something good!