OSRS Hunter Guide 1-99 2025: Fast XP and Profitable Methods (Ironman Friendly)

Hunter in Old School RuneScape is like diving headfirst into Gielinor’s wilds, net in hand, ready to snag anything from fluttery butterflies to explosive red chinchompas. My first Feldip Hills hunt had my heart pounding as a red chinchompa zipped into my trap, banking me 200k GP in one trip. Whether you’re grinding for the fastest XP, stacking fat loots, or playing Ironman with no GE crutch, Hunter’s got strategy, adventure, and rewards galore. This 2025 guide takes you from level 1 to 99 with top XP methods like black chins, money-making spots like Puro-Puro implings, Ironman hacks, gear setups, quests, and synergy with Ranged and Herblore. With the Yama expansion dropping new impling spawns and faster trap resets, it’s prime time to master Hunter. Grab your snares, dodge those PKers, and let’s track some critters.

Understanding the Hunter Skill

Hunter is OSRS’s wildest gathering skill, where you stalk, trap, and catch creatures across Gielinor’s forests, deserts, and swamps. It’s not like afk fishing shrimp; you’re out there chasing spawns, timing traps, and maybe dodging a PKer in the Wildy for those sweet red chins. It’s a goldmine for Ranged ammo, Herblore herbs, and Agility capes, especially for Ironman players grinding self-sufficiently.

Core Mechanics: Set traps like bird snares, box traps, or pitfall traps, or swing a net for implings. Higher levels unlock juicier creatures and better traps.
Resource Value: Red chins fetch 200 GP each, herbiboar ranarrs hit 5k GP, and spotted capes boost Agility.
Skill Synergy: Powers up Ranged with chins, Herblore with herbs, and Agility with capes.
Ironman Appeal: No GE needed for ammo, potions, or capes.
Personal Note: Snagging a kingly impling in Puro-Puro was my biggest flex, that dragonstone drop had me grinning like I’d just cleared Vorkath.

Hunter Levels and Unlocks (1-99)

Hunter’s all about hitting milestones that unlock new creatures, traps, and spots to crank up your XP or GP. Start with basic birds, then chase red chins at 63 for bank. This table, updated for 2025’s Yama expansion with faster trap resets, maps your grind like a pro.

Level	Unlock/Creature	Method/Trap	Notes and XP/hr (Approx)
1	Butterflies, Copper Longtail	Butterfly Net	Starter grind, 5k-10k XP/hr. Chill AFK.
5	Crimson Swift	Bird Snare	Birds, 10k XP/hr, feathers for cash.
9	Polar Kebbit	Kebbit Snare	Fur for capes, 15k XP/hr.
15	Common Kebbit	Kebbit Snare	Spotted capes, 20k XP/hr.
19	Feldip Weasel	Bird Snare	Swamp vibes, 25k XP/hr.
27	Razor-backed Kebbit	Kebbit Snare	Green cape, 30k XP/hr.
33	Chinchompa (Grey)	Box Trap	Piscatoris, 40k XP/hr, low GP.
36	Ferret	Box Trap	Piscatoris, 45k XP/hr, early profit.
43	Sabre-toothed Kyatt	Pitfall Trap	Jungle, 50k XP/hr, spotted cape.
53	Black Warlock	Bird Snare	Taverley, 60k XP/hr, potion mats.
63	Red Chinchompa	Box Trap	Wilderness, 150k-250k XP/hr, 500k-1M GP/hr.
66	Pawya	Box Trap	Anachronia, 80k XP/hr, fruit loot.
72	Grenwall	Tracking	Anachronia, 100k XP/hr, herb spikes.
80	Herbiboar	Tracking	Anachronia, 120k XP/hr, 300k-500k GP/hr.
83	Kingly Impling	Butterfly Net	Puro-Puro, 200k XP/hr, rare loot.
91	Maniacal Monkey	Bird Snare	Ape Atoll, 150k XP/hr, banana loot.
99	Hunter Cape	Cape Perk	5% XP boost, Piscatoris teleports.

Ironman Tip: Rush Eagles’ Peak for falconry to skip the early slog. I used this table to plan my red chin grind at 63, banking GP like a GE bot.

Starting Your Hunter Journey

Kicking off Hunter is like being a noob tracker in Gielinor’s wilds, armed with just a net and some rope. You’ll master basic traps and creatures, setting up for big hunts like red chins. It’s cheap, F2P-friendly, and perfect for Ironman accounts starting fresh.

Requirements: Butterfly net (1 GP, Yanille shop), bird snare (craft with logs and rope), box trap (20 GP). No quests needed early.
Starting Spots: Tree Gnome Stronghold south for butterflies, Piscatoris for birds. Banks nearby for quick loot drops.
How-To: Place snares on creature paths, check every 20-30 seconds, snag XP and loot like feathers or fur.
Ironman Tip: Craft snares from logs at Farming Guild and rope from shops or Lunar Isle. Save feathers for Fishing.
Personal Note: My first crimson swift at level 5 had me hyped, tiny XP but the catch felt like slaying a dragon.

OSRS Hunter Training Methods (1-99)

Hunter’s got a vibe for every player: sweaty XP with black chins, fat loots with red chins, or chill AFK with birds. Below’s the full breakdown with 2025 GE prices (red chins 200 GP, ranarrs 5k GP) and tips to max your grind.

Levels 1-27: Butterflies and Birds (Crimson Swift, Feldip Weasel)

This beginner grind teaches trap mechanics on a budget. It’s AFK-friendly, great for F2P or Ironman, and preps you for kebbit capes. You’ll be chilling in Gnome Stronghold, netting butterflies like a true noob.

How-To: Butterfly net for butterflies (level 1, 5k-10k XP/hr). Bird snare for crimson swift (level 5, 10k XP/hr) or feldip weasel (level 19, 25k XP/hr). Set 1-2 snares near spawns, check often.
Requirements: Butterfly net (1 GP, Yanille), bird snare (craft logs and rope).
Location: Tree Gnome Stronghold south (butterflies), Piscatoris (birds, bank nearby).
XP/hr: 5k-25k.
GP/hr: Break-even; feathers 5 GP each for pocket change.
Ironman Tip: Craft snares with logs from Farming Guild; bank feathers for fly fishing.
Personal Note: I netted butterflies in Gnome Stronghold while vibing with a clan, hit 27 in a day with some tunes on.

Levels 27-53: Kebbits and Ferrets (Common Kebbit, Razor-backed Kebbit, Ferret)

Kebbits and ferrets crank up XP and drop fur for capes. Semi-AFK, perfect for Ironman crafting spotted capes for Agility. Piscatoris feels like a proper hunter’s camp.

How-To: Kebbit snare for common kebbit (level 27, 30k XP/hr) or razor-backed kebbit (level 36, 40k XP/hr). Box trap for ferrets (level 36, 45k XP/hr). Check traps every 30 seconds.
Requirements: Kebbit snare (craft logs and rope), box trap (20 GP, Yanille).
Location: Piscatoris Hunter area (F2P, bank nearby).
XP/hr: 30k-45k.
GP/hr: 50k-100k (spotted cape 50k GP).
Ironman Tip: Bank fur for capes; craft traps from logs to save GP.
Personal Note: Grinding kebbits to 50 got me spotted capes for Agility, felt like I was running my own hunter’s guild.

Levels 53-63: Sabre-toothed Kyatt and Grey Chinchompa

Pitfall traps for kyatt and box traps for grey chins bridge mid-game with solid XP and profit. It’s your prep for the Wilderness grind. Karamja’s jungle makes you feel like a true explorer.

How-To: Pitfall trap for sabre-toothed kyatt (level 53, 50k XP/hr). Box trap for grey chinchompa (level 53, 40k XP/hr). Set 2-3 traps near burrows, reset every 30 seconds.
Requirements: Pitfall trap (logs and knife), box trap (20 GP).
Location: Piscatoris (grey chins), Karamja jungle (kyatt).
XP/hr: 40k-50k.
GP/hr: Kyatt fur 100k, grey chins 200k.
Ironman Tip: Save fur for capes; grey chins for early Ranged training.
Personal Note: Kyatt trapping in Karamja was my groove, 50k XP/hr and fur funded my first dragon scimmy.

Levels 63-80: Red Chinchompa and Pawya

Red chins in the Wilderness are the meta for XP and GP, while pawya in Anachronia are a safer bet. Click-heavy but the loot’s worth it. The Wildy’s PKer risk keeps you on your toes.

How-To: Box trap for red chinchompa (level 63, 150k-250k XP/hr). Box trap for pawya (level 66, 80k XP/hr). Set 4-5 traps, bait pawya with papaya fruit (500 GP).
Requirements: Box trap (20 GP), papaya fruit (GE or Farming).
Location: Wilderness level 32-35 (red chins), Anachronia (pawya, bank nearby).
XP/hr: 80k-250k.
GP/hr: Red chins 500k-1M (200 GP each), pawya 100k (fruit loot).
Ironman Tip: Wildy’s risky, bank chins for Ranged. Grow papaya in Farming patches.
Personal Note: Red chins to 80 were a rollercoaster, dodging PKers for 800k GP/hr felt like pulling off a heist.

Levels 80-99: Herbiboar and Grenwall

Herbiboar and grenwall tracking in Anachronia are endgame gold. They balance XP, herbs, and AFK-ish profit, perfect for chilling with a stream on. Herbs are an Ironman’s Herblore dream.

How-To: Track herbiboar (level 80, 120k XP/hr) with knife and spade. Track grenwall (level 72, 100k XP/hr) with baited traps (spikes, 100 GP).
Requirements: Knife, spade, bait (grenwall spikes, GE or drops).
Location: Anachronia (bank nearby for herb banking).
XP/hr: 100k-120k.
GP/hr: Herbiboar 300k-500k (ranarr 5k GP), grenwall 200k.
Ironman Tip: Herbs for Herblore; craft bait from grenwall spikes.
Personal Note: Herbiboar to 99 was my chill grind, ranarr drops funded prayer pots for raids.

Levels 83-99: Kingly Implings

Kingly implings in Puro-Puro are the endgame flex for XP and loot. Click-intensive but dragonstone drops make it rain. Puro-Puro’s fairy ring keeps it smooth.

How-To: Butterfly net for kingly impling (level 83, 200k XP/hr). Carry 10-20 impling jars (1k GP each).
Requirements: Butterfly net (1 GP), impling jars (GE or clues).
Location: Puro-Puro (fairy ring D J S).
XP/hr: 200k.
GP/hr: 500k-1M (dragonstones 20k GP, rare seeds).
Ironman Tip: Source jars from clue scrolls; loot for Herblore or Farming.
Personal Note: My first kingly impling drop was a dragonstone, felt like I’d just looted Zilyana’s bank.

XP/hr and GP/hr Comparison

This table helps you pick your vibe: XP, GP, or AFK.

Method	Level Range	XP/hr	GP/hr	AFK Level	Ironman Notes
Butterflies/Birds	1-27	5k-25k	Break-even	High	Craft snares
Kebbits/Ferrets	27-53	30k-45k	50k-100k	Medium	Fur for capes
Sabre-toothed Kyatt	53-63	40k-50k	100k	Medium	Jungle spots
Red Chinchompa	63-80	150k-250k	500k-1M	Low	Wildy risk
Herbiboar	80-99	120k	300k-500k	Medium	Herb loot
Kingly Implings	83-99	200k	500k-1M	Low	Rare jars

Fastest XP: Red chins (150k-250k). Best AFK: Herbiboar (120k). Best GP: Red chins/kingly implings (500k-1M).

Essential Hunter Equipment

Hunter’s all about the right gear to max your catch rate. From dirt-cheap snares to magic box traps, your setup can turn you into a loot machine.

Basic Tools:
- Butterfly Net: Butterflies/implings, 1 GP, Yanille shop.
- Bird Snare: Crimson swift, craft with logs and rope.
- Kebbit Snare: Kebbits for capes, craftable.
- Box Trap: Chinchompas/ferrets, 20 GP.
- Pitfall Trap: Kyatt/larupia, logs and knife.
- Tracking Gear: Knife and spade for herbiboar/grenwall.
Upgrades:
- Magic Box Trap: 500k GP, 10% catch rate boost.
- Teasing Stick: 100 GP, for falconry.
- Impling Jar: 1k GP, for implings.
Boosts:
- Hunter Cape: 5% XP, Piscatoris teleports.
- Spotted Cape: 5 Agility, kebbit fur.
- Graceful Outfit: Low weight for faster trap runs.
Ironman Tip: Craft snares from logs; get jars from clue scrolls.
Personal Note: Magic box traps turned my chin grind into a cash cow, worth every coin.

Best Hunter Spots

Picking the right spot can double your XP or GP. Each area’s built for specific creatures and playstyles, with 2025 Yama updates boosting spawn rates.

Tree Gnome Stronghold South: Butterflies/birds, noob-friendly, no PKers.
Piscatoris Hunter Area: Kebbits/ferrets/grey chins, F2P, bank nearby.
Karamja Jungle: Kyatt/grey chins, mid-level profit, tropical vibes.
Wilderness Level 32-35: Red chins, high GP, watch for PKers.
Anachronia: Pawya/herbiboar/grenwall, banked, AFK-friendly.
Puro-Puro: Implings, rare loot, fairy ring D J S.
Ironman Tip: Anachronia for herbs; Piscatoris for capes.
Personal Note: Wilderness red chins were my adrenaline hit, 1M GP/hr but always eyeing PKers.

Hunter Quests and Rewards

Quests are your shortcut to XP and unlocks, especially for Ironman. They save hours and open high-profit methods like red chins.

Eagles’ Peak (1 Hunter): 2625 XP, falconry unlock for early XP.
Animal Magnetism (18 Hunter): 1000 XP, Ava’s device for Ranged synergy.
Eadgar’s Ruse (50 Hunter): 3000 XP, super energy mix for stamina.
The Feud (10 Hunter): 15k XP, desert access for red chins.
Rum Deal (50 Hunter): 7000 XP, Zogre flesh for Herblore.
Ironman Tip: Rush Eagles’ Peak for falconry; all quests are self-contained.
Personal Note: The Feud’s 15k XP got me to red chins early, felt like I’d hacked the grind.

Hunter Synergy with Other Skills

Hunter’s a team player, boosting Ranged, Herblore, and Agility. It’s a lifesaver for Ironman accounts juggling multiple skills.

Ranged: Red chins (200 GP) for training or PvP, stackable ammo.
Herblore: Herbiboar herbs (ranarr 5k GP) for potions like prayer restores.
Agility: Spotted capes (5 Agility) from kebbits for faster courses.
Farming: Pawya fruit for Farming XP, grow papayas for bait.
Ironman Tip: Bank chins for Ranged; herbs for self-made potions.
Personal Note: Herbiboar ranarrs let me craft prayer pots for my Ironman raids, saved my PvM runs.

Hunter as a Money-Making Method

Hunter’s a steady GP printer, rivaling Fishing for passive cash. High-level methods like red chins and implings are where the bank’s made.

Red Chinchompa: 500k-1M GP/hr (200 GP each, Wilderness).
Herbiboar: 300k-500k GP/hr (ranarr 5k GP, Anachronia).
Kingly Implings: 500k-1M GP/hr (dragonstones 20k GP, rare seeds).
Black Chinchompa: 1M+ GP/hr (level 80, Wilderness, 300 GP each).
Market Tip: Watch GE for chin price spikes during PvP events or skilling comps.
Ironman Tip: Use herbs for Herblore; chins for Ranged training.
Personal Note: Red chins funded my 99, 1M GP/hr on a hot day felt like I was running the GE.

Ironman Hunter Tips

Ironman mode makes Hunter a self-sufficient beast. You’ll craft your own gear and lean on quests to skip the GE grind.

Early Game: Butterflies to 27, kebbits to 63 for capes and fur.
Quests: Eagles’ Peak for falconry, The Feud for red chins.
Traps: Craft snares from logs; source jars from clue scrolls.
AFK: Herbiboar for herbs and XP, minimal supplies needed.
Synergy: Chins for Ranged, herbs for Herblore, capes for Agility.
Personal Note: My Ironman 99 was all herbiboar herbs, no GE, just me, my spade, and a dream.

OSRS Hunter Community and Events

Hunter’s a social skill, whether you’re trapping with mates or chasing implings in Puro-Puro. Jagex events and community tools make it lit.

Events: Double XP weekends, skilling comps with Hunter leaderboards.
Community: OSRS Discord for chin spot rotations, Reddit r/2007scape for Ironman strats.
Minigames: Falconry for XP, Puro-Puro for impling loot.
Tools: Runelite’s Hunter plugin tracks spawns like a pro.
Personal Note: I joined a clan hunting red chins in the Wildy, dodging PKers together was peak OSRS vibes.

Advanced Hunter Techniques

Mastering Hunter is about sweating the details: trap placement, spawn timers, and boosts. These tricks turn you into a Gielinor legend.

Trap Placement: Set traps on creature paths (e.g., chin burrows in Wildy) for max catches.
Hunter’s Mark: Runelite’s mark tracks spawns in Puro-Puro or Anachronia, saves time.
Route Planning: Rotate 5 traps in Wilderness for red chins, reset every 20 seconds for 250k XP/hr.
Boosts: Spotted cape (5 Agility) and stamina potions for faster trap runs.
Tick Manipulation: 3-tick trapping with bait swaps for chins, pushes XP to 300k/hr (sweaty).
Ironman Tip: Craft extra traps for multi-trapping; save jars for kingly implings.
Personal Note: Runelite’s spawn timers made herbiboar a breeze, doubled my catches like I was cheating.

Unique Creatures to Hunt

Hunter’s creature roster is packed with bangers, from explosive chins to rare dragonstones. These standouts keep the grind fresh.

Red Chinchompa: Level 63, Wilderness, 500k-1M GP/hr, Ranged ammo for PvP.
Herbiboar: Level 80, Anachronia, 300k-500k GP/hr, ranarrs for potions.
Kingly Impling: Level 83, Puro-Puro, dragonstones (20k GP), rare seeds.
Black Warlock: Level 53, Taverley, potion materials (10k GP).
Tropical Wagtail: Level 19, Karamja, exotic feathers for Fletching.
Ironman Tip: Herbiboar for Herblore; chins for Ranged.
Personal Note: My first kingly impling drop was a dragonstone, felt like I’d just looted the King Black Dragon’s stash.

FAQ

What is the fastest Hunter method?
Red chins (150k-250k XP/hr) or black chins (200k+ XP/hr, level 80).

Best profitable Hunter method?
Red chins (500k-1M GP/hr) or kingly implings (500k-1M GP/hr).

Ironman Hunter guide?
Kebbits to 63, red chins/herbiboar to 99. Quests for unlocks.

How long to 99 Hunter?
100-150 hours with chins, 200+ for AFK methods.

Best AFK Hunter?
Herbiboar (120k XP/hr, medium AFK).

Conclusion

Hunter is OSRS’s wildest grind, blending fast XP, fat loots, and Ironman-friendly rewards. From snaring birds in Gnome Stronghold to banking red chins in the Wilderness, this 1-99 guide is your roadmap to the Hunter cape. With 2025 GE prices (red chins 200 GP, ranarrs 5k GP), you’ll be rolling in loot. Check our blog for more guides like Fishing or Prayer, or snag some OSRS gold for gear. Set your traps, dodge those PKers, and hunt like a Gielinor legend!

Last Updated: September 24, 2025