OSRS Hunter 1-99 Guide Fastest and Most Profitable Methods

OSRS Hunter 1-99 Guide Fastest and Most Profitable Methods

Hunter in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a members-only skill that lets you track and trap creatures across Gielinor, offering both experience and valuable loot. While it can feel click-intensive and slow at first, with the right methods, Hunter becomes one of the fastest and most profitable skills to train. This comprehensive guide covers the fastest path to 99 Hunter, alternative methods, and tips to maximize efficiency and profit. Whether you’re a main account, Ironman, or just looking to make GP, we’ve got you covered.

Hunter is often overlooked due to its early-game grind, but it shines at higher levels. It’s a skill that rewards patience with serious perks:

  • Profit Potential: Methods like black chinchompas can net over 100M GP from 73 to 99.
  • Passive Training: Birdhouse runs allow you to train while focusing on other skills.
  • Ironman Benefits: Herbiboar and Hunter Rumours provide herbs and resources for Herblore.
  • Fast XP: With optimal setups, you can hit 200K+ XP per hour at high levels.

Ready to start? Let’s dive into the fastest pathway to 99 Hunter, with alternatives for profit, AFK training, and Ironmen.

Fastest Pathway to 99 Hunter

OSRS 199 Hunter Guide NovaMMO

The fastest route to 99 Hunter takes around 75-80 hours with active training, assuming you use the most efficient methods at each level bracket. Below, we break down the progression step-by-step.

Levels 1-9: Varrock Museum Quiz

Kick off your Hunter journey with the Natural History Quiz in the Varrock Museum basement. This quick activity takes about 5-10 minutes and grants 1,000 Hunter XP, boosting you straight to level 9.

  • Location: Northeast Varrock, downstairs in the museum.
  • Requirements: None.
  • Method: Speak to Orlando Smith and answer questions at each display case. Use RuneLite for highlighted answers to speed things up.

If you skip the quiz, catch Crimson Swifts in Feldip Hills with bird snares, but this is slower (about 5K XP/hour).

Levels 9-15: Copper Longtails

At level 9, head to the Piscatoris Hunter Area to catch Copper Longtails using bird snares. This method offers around 8K XP/hour.

  • Items Needed: 2-3 bird snares, lightweight gear (e.g., Graceful outfit).
  • Tip: Bring an extra snare to replace any that break.

Levels 15-29: Ruby Butterflies

Switch to catching Ruby Butterflies in the Piscatoris Hunter Area for 15K-25K XP/hour. This is more click-intensive but faster than birds.

  • Items Needed: Butterfly net, butterfly jars (buy from Hunter shops).
  • Tip: Use RuneLite’s tagging feature to spot butterflies easily.

Levels 29-47: Swamp Lizards

At level 29, catch Swamp Lizards in Morytania’s Canifis Hunter Area for 20K-40K XP/hour. You’ll need the Priest in Peril quest to access this area.

  • Items Needed: Small fishing nets, ropes (1 per trap).
  • Setup: Set up to 3 traps (at level 40) near young trees.

Levels 47-59: Orange Salamanders

Move to the Uzer Hunter Area to catch Orange Salamanders, yielding 50K-65K XP/hour. This desert area requires preparation to avoid dying of thirst.

  • Items Needed: Small fishing nets, ropes, desert robes, waterskins, knife (to refill waterskins from cacti).
  • Access: Use the magic carpet from Shantay Pass.

Levels 59-80: Red Salamanders

Red Salamanders at the Ourania Altar area offer 70K-100K XP/hour. They’re a solid balance of XP and low effort.

  • Items Needed: Small fishing nets, ropes.
  • Tip: At level 60, you can set 4 traps, boosting efficiency.

Levels 80-99: Black Chinchompas

The pinnacle of active Hunter training, Black Chinchompas in the Wilderness (levels 32-36, southeast of Lava Maze) provide 145K-200K XP/hour at level 80, scaling to 280K with tick manipulation and an alt account.

  • Items Needed: 6 box traps, bow and arrows (to kill stray chins), Dinh’s Bulwark (for tanking PKers), knife, and teak/mahogany logs (for tick manipulation).
  • Risks: PKers are common, so bank every 50-100 chins and bring tank gear like Phoenix necklaces.
  • Profit: Expect ~90M-110M GP from 73-99, assuming minimal deaths.

Note: At level 80, you can set 5 traps (6 in the Wilderness), making this method scale well. Use RuneLite’s Hunter plugin to track trap status.

Passive Training with Birdhouse Runs

Birdhouse runs are the go-to for passive Hunter training, especially for Ironmen or players multitasking with other skills. They’re available after completing the Bone Voyage quest and yield high XP for minimal effort.

How Birdhouse Runs Work

Every 50 minutes, you can set up 4 birdhouses on Fossil Island, fill them with seeds, and return to collect XP and bird nests. Each run takes 73-90 seconds.

  • Requirements: Bone Voyage quest, 5 Hunter, 5 Crafting (scales up to 89 Hunter/90 Crafting for redwood birdhouses).
  • Items Needed: Hammer, chisel, clockwork, logs (yew or higher recommended), 40 hop/herb seeds per run.

XP and Rewards Table

Birdhouse Type Hunter Level Crafting Level XP per House Nest Chance
Regular 5 5 280 10%
Oak 14 15 420 15%
Yew 59 60 1,020 25%
Redwood 89 90 1,200 30%

Tip: Use yew birdhouses from level 59 for the best XP/time ratio. Combine runs with seaweed farming for extra Crafting XP.

Alternative Active Training Methods

If Black Chinchompas are too risky or you want variety, these methods offer decent XP and unique benefits.

Red Chinchompas (Levels 63-99)

Red Chinchompas in the Gwenith Hunter Area (after Song of the Elves) or red chinchompa hunting ground (after hard Western Provinces Diary) yield 90K-170K XP/hour and 40M-45M GP to 99.

  • Pros: No PKer risk, steady profit.
  • Cons: Slower XP than black chins.

Herbiboar (Levels 80-99)

Tracking Herbiboars on Fossil Island (post-Bone Voyage) gives 115K-150K XP/hour and herbs for Herblore. It’s less click-intensive, making it great for relaxed training.

  • Items Needed: Stamina potions, herb sack (optional).
  • Tip: High Herblore levels improve herb drops.

Hunter Rumours (Levels 46-99)

Introduced with Varlamore, Hunter Rumours at the Hunters’ Guild (after Children of the Sun) involve tasks to hunt specific creatures. At level 72, Expert Rumours with a blocklist can hit 240K XP/hour.

  • Requirements: 46 Hunter, At First Light quest.
  • Rewards: Hunter’s loot sacks with herbs, logs, and bones.

AFK and Low-Effort Methods

For players who prefer minimal focus, these methods trade XP for ease.

Maniacal Monkeys (Levels 60-99)

After Monkey Madness II, hunt Maniacal Monkeys for 60K-120K XP/hour. It’s semi-AFK and pairs well with alching or fletching.

  • Items Needed: Kruk’s greegree, bananas, knife.
  • Bonus: Craft monkey tails for 15 Crafting XP each.

Drift Net Fishing (Levels 44-99)

Combine Hunter and Fishing XP underwater on Fossil Island (47 Fishing required). Expect 70K-100K Hunter XP/hour, but it’s very click-intensive.

  • Items Needed: Flippers, fishbowl helmet, trident, drift nets.
  • Drawback: High item requirements and attention needed.

Tips and Gear for Efficient Hunter Training

Maximize your Hunter grind with these essentials:

  • Graceful Outfit: Reduces weight and boosts run energy restoration by 30%. Buy with Marks of Grace from Agility courses.
  • Ring of Endurance: Extends stamina potion effects. Obtain from Hallowed Sepulchre.
  • Hunter Potions: Boost your level by +3 to access methods early (e.g., Herbiboar at 77).
  • RuneLite Plugins: Use the Hunter plugin for trap status and the Time Tracking plugin for birdhouse timers.
  • Teleportation: Fairy rings, Royal Seed Pod, or Burning Amulet speed up travel to Hunter areas.

Pro Tip: Always carry extra traps to avoid downtime if one breaks. For Wilderness methods, prioritize survival gear over skilling efficiency to minimize losses.

With this guide, you’re equipped to tackle Hunter from 1 to 99 in OSRS. Stick to the fastest pathway for speed, mix in birdhouse runs for passive gains, or explore alternatives like Herbiboar for profit and resources. Whatever your goal, Hunter’s rewards are worth the grind. Happy hunting!