OSRS 1-99 Hunter Guide: Fastest Methods to Max Your Hunter Skill

OSRS 1-99 Hunter Guide: Fastest Methods to Max Your Hunter Skill


Hunter is one of the most engaging and rewarding skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). Whether you’re chasing XP, profit, or just love the thrill of tracking creatures across Gielinor, this guide will walk you through the fastest and most efficient methods to reach level 99. From early-game bird snares to endgame chinchompas, we’ve got you covered with detailed steps, tips, and strategies to optimize your training. Let’s dive into the ultimate OSRS Hunter guide!

The early levels of Hunter are all about building foundational skills and getting comfortable with trapping mechanics. You’ll start with simple creatures and gradually unlock more efficient methods. Here’s how to kick things off.

Levels 1-9: Crimson Swifts

Head to the Feldip Hills, just south of Yanille, to hunt Crimson Swifts. You’ll need a bird snare, which you can buy from the Grand Exchange or the Hunter tutor in Feldip Hills.

  • Location: Feldip Hills, near the Hunter tutor.
  • XP per catch: 34.
  • Tips: Set up one bird snare and keep an eye on it. Release the birds to keep training without inventory clutter.

This method is straightforward and gets you to level 9 quickly, usually in under an hour.

Levels 9-15: Feldip Weasels

Switch to tracking Feldip Weasels in the same area. You’ll need a noose wand, also available from the Hunter tutor or Grand Exchange.

  • Location: Feldip Hills, near the dungeon entrance.
  • XP per catch: 48.
  • Tips: Use a ring of pursuit (optional) to make tracking easier. Drop caught weasels to save inventory space.

Levels 15-29: Tropical Wagtails

Return to bird snares for Tropical Wagtails, still in Feldip Hills. At level 20, you unlock the ability to set two traps, which boosts your XP rates.

  • Location: Feldip Hills, slightly north of Crimson Swifts.
  • XP per catch: 95.
  • Tips: Place snares in high-traffic bird areas and reset them as soon as they trigger.

Birdhouse Runs: The Passive XP Goldmine (Levels 5-99)

OSRS 199 Hunter Guide NovaMMO

Birdhouse runs are a game-changer for Hunter training. They’re passive, highly efficient, and scale well throughout your journey. Completing the Bone Voyage quest to access Fossil Island is a must for this method.

Setting Up Birdhouse Runs

You’ll need logs, a hammer, a chisel, a clockwork, and hop seeds (e.g., barley seeds) to craft and bait birdhouses. Higher-tier birdhouses unlock as your Hunter level increases.

Birdhouse Type Hunter Level XP per Birdhouse Logs Required
Regular 5 280 Regular logs
Oak 14 420 Oak logs
Willow 24 560 Willow logs
Teak 34 700 Teak logs

How to Do a Birdhouse Run

A full run takes about 90 seconds and can be done every 50 minutes. Here’s the process:

  1. Teleport to Fossil Island using a digsite pendant.
  2. Visit four birdhouse spots: Verdant Valley, Mushroom Meadow, etc.
  3. Harvest old birdhouses for XP and loot (nests, seeds).
  4. Place new birdhouses with crafted ones and bait them with seeds.
  5. Repeat every 50 minutes while training other skills or AFKing.

Pro Tip: Combine birdhouse runs with herb or tree runs for maximum efficiency. Expect 20,000-50,000 XP per hour depending on your level and birdhouse tier.

Fast-Tracking with Net Traps: Levels 29-59

Once you hit level 29, net trapping salamanders becomes your go-to active training method. It’s faster than early bird snaring and keeps things engaging.

Levels 29-47: Swamp Lizards

Head to the Canifis Hunter area (east of Canifis) to trap Swamp Lizards. You’ll need a small fishing net and rope per trap.

  • Location: Southeast of Canifis, near the fairy ring (code: CKS).
  • XP per catch: 152.
  • Tips: Bring cheap food to fend off ghasts. Set up to three traps (unlocks at level 40) for better rates.

Levels 47-59: Orange Salamanders

Move to the Uzer Hunter area in the desert for Orange Salamanders. Desert robes and waterskins are essential to survive the heat.

  • Location: West of the Ruins of Uzer.
  • XP per catch: 224.
  • Tips: Bring a knife to refill waterskins at cacti. Expect 50,000-70,000 XP per hour with three traps.

Chasing Chinchompas: Levels 59-99

Chinchompas are the fastest active Hunter training method from level 59 onward. They’re also profitable, but some methods carry risks due to their Wilderness locations.

Levels 59-73: Red Salamanders

Before chinchompas, hunt Red Salamanders near the Zamorak altar (north of the Observatory) to bridge the gap.

  • Location: Ourania Hunter area.
  • XP per catch: 272.
  • Tips: Use four traps (unlocks at level 60) and expect around 80,000 XP per hour.

Levels 63-73: Red Chinchompas

At level 63, switch to Red Chinchompas in the Feldip Hills. You’ll need box traps (five recommended, unlocks at level 80).

  • Location: Feldip Hills, southwest of the fairy ring (AKS).
  • XP per catch: 265.
  • Tips: Bank or sell chinchompas for profit (around 1,000 gp each). Rates reach 100,000 XP per hour with four traps.

Levels 73-99: Black Chinchompas

Black Chinchompas in the Wilderness offer the best XP rates in the game, but they come with the risk of PKers (player killers).

  • Location: Level 32-36 Wilderness, south of the Lava Maze.
  • XP per catch: 315.
  • Tips: Use a ranged weapon to scare off stray chinchompas, boosting efficiency. Expect 150,000-200,000 XP per hour at higher levels.

Safety Note: Wear cheap gear, bring only what you’re willing to lose, and consider using a Wilderness obelisk or Hunter cape (at 99) for quick access. Rates can hit 280,000 XP per hour with tick manipulation and optimal setups.

Alternative and AFK Methods for Hunter Training

If chinchompas or active methods aren’t your style, OSRS offers alternative and AFK options that balance XP, profit, and relaxation.

Herbiboar (Levels 80-99)

Hunt Herbiboars on Fossil Island for a profitable, low-effort method that also provides Herblore XP.

  • Requirements: 80 Hunter, 31 Herblore, Bone Voyage quest.
  • XP per catch: ~2,000 Hunter XP, plus herbs.
  • Tips: Use a stamina potion and digsite pendant for faster runs. Expect 100,000-130,000 XP per hour and valuable herb drops.

Falconry (Levels 43-99)

Falconry in the Piscatoris Hunter area is a click-intensive but profitable alternative. You’ll catch Spotted and Dark Kebbits for fur.

  • Location: Piscatoris Hunter area, near fairy ring (AKQ).
  • XP per catch: 448-672 (varies by kebbit).
  • Tips: Requires 500 gp to rent a falcon. Expect 60,000-80,000 XP per hour and fur for profit.

Maniacal Monkeys (Levels 60-99)

After completing Monkey Madness II, hunt Maniacal Monkeys in Kruk’s Dungeon for an AFK-friendly method.

  • Location: Kruk’s Dungeon, Ape Atoll.
  • XP per catch: ~1,000.
  • Tips: Use banana baskets to lure monkeys. Rates reach 50,000-70,000 XP per hour with minimal attention.

Final Thoughts: Combine birdhouse runs with active methods like chinchompas for the fastest path to 99. If you prefer profit or AFK training, Herbiboar and Falconry are excellent choices. Whatever your playstyle, Hunter offers something for everyone. Happy hunting, and may your traps always be full!