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OSRS Hunter Leveling Guide 2025 Fastest Methods to 99

Hunter is one of the most rewarding yet often overlooked skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). With the right strategies, you can level up efficiently, unlock profitable methods, and even make millions of GP along the way. This comprehensive guide covers the fastest and most effective ways to train Hunter from level 1 to 99, tailored for both casual players and dedicated grinders. Whether you’re a newbie or an Ironman, we’ve got you covered with tips, tricks, and prerequisites to streamline your journey.
Training Hunter not only unlocks access to valuable loot like chinchompas and implings but also offers unique gameplay experiences. It’s a skill that scales well, becoming highly profitable at higher levels. Plus, with passive methods like bird house trapping, you can train Hunter while focusing on other skills or quests. Here’s why you should invest in Hunter:
- Profit Potential: High-level methods like black chinchompas can yield millions of GP per hour.
- Quest Requirements: Skills like Hunter are needed for quests such as Eagles’ Peak and Song of the Elves.
- Ironman-Friendly: Hunter provides resources like bird nests and herbs, crucial for self-sufficient accounts.
Prerequisites and Recommended Quests
Before diving into training, completing certain quests and gathering items can save you time and boost your efficiency. Here are the key prerequisites to set you up for success.
Essential Quests
- Natural History Quiz (Varrock Museum): Grants 1,000 Hunter XP, boosting you from level 1 to 9 instantly. No requirements, just answer questions in the museum basement.
- Bone Voyage: Unlocks Fossil Island, essential for bird house trapping and drift net fishing. Requires 100 Kudos and The Dig Site quest.
- Eagles’ Peak: Required for box trapping (e.g., chinchompas). Needs level 27 Hunter.
- Fairy Tale II – Cure a Queen (Partial): Unlocks fairy rings for faster travel to Hunter areas. Requires level 40 Thieving and 49 Magic.
- Hard Western Provinces Diary (Optional): Unlocks a subterranean area for carnivorous chinchompas, ideal for high-level profit.
Recommended Items
- Noose Wand, Bird Snares, Butterfly Net, Butterfly Jars: Available at Hunter stores in Yanille or Nardah.
- Weight-Reducing Clothing (e.g., Graceful Set): Reduces run energy drain, as Hunter areas are often far from banks.
- Digsite Pendants: For quick Fossil Island teleports. Requires enchanting ruby necklaces (Lvl-3 Enchant spell).
- Rope and Small Fishing Net: For trapping salamanders. Buy from general stores or Fishing shops.
Fastest Hunter Leveling Path (1-99)
The fastest route to 99 Hunter involves a mix of passive and active methods, with bird house trapping dominating early levels and chinchompas taking over later. Below is a step-by-step breakdown by level range.
Levels 1-9: Natural History Quiz
Start at the Varrock Museum basement and speak to Orlando Smith to begin the Natural History Quiz. Answer three questions correctly for each of the 14 creature displays (RuneLite’s Puzzle Solver plugin highlights answers). This grants 1,000 Hunter XP, taking you to level 9 instantly. It’s the quickest way to skip the slow early levels.
Levels 9-43: Bird House Trapping
Bird house trapping on Fossil Island is the backbone of early Hunter training due to its passive nature and decent XP rates. Here’s how to do it:
- Requirements: Bone Voyage completed, level 5 Crafting (for basic bird houses), hammer, chisel, clockwork, logs, and cheap seeds (e.g., potato or onion).
- Method: Travel to Fossil Island using a digsite pendant. Set up four bird houses at designated spots (marked by icons). Fill each with 10 hop or herb seeds. Wait 50 minutes, then loot for XP, bird nests, and feathers. Repeat every 50 minutes.
- XP Rates: Approximately 30,000-40,000 XP/hour, depending on bird house tier (e.g., maple at level 44).
Tip: Stick to maple bird houses for cost-efficiency, as maple logs are cheap. This method remains viable up to level 80 if you prioritize passive training.
Bird House Type | Hunter Level | Crafting Level | XP per House |
---|---|---|---|
Regular | 5 | 5 | 280 |
Oak | 14 | 15 | 420 |
Willow | 24 | 25 | 560 |
Maple | 44 | 45 | 820 |
Levels 43-53: Tropical Wagtails
For active players, hunting tropical wagtails in the Feldip Hunter area (fairy ring AKS) offers solid XP. Use bird snares and wear jungle camo gear to boost success rates.
- Requirements: Level 19 Hunter, bird snares, optional jungle camo top and legs.
- XP Rates: 40,000 XP/hour at level 19, scaling to 66,000 XP/hour at level 30 with three snares.
- Tip: Place snares near spawn points west of the Oo’glog lodestone for optimal catches.
Levels 53-80: Red Chinchompas
At level 53, switch to box trapping red chinchompas in the Feldip Hills (fairy ring AKS). This method is click-intensive but offers great XP and profit.
- Requirements: Eagles’ Peak quest, box traps, fairy ring access.
- XP Rates: 150,000-200,000 XP/hour at higher levels.
- Profit: Red chinchompas sell for around 1,000 GP each, netting decent GP per hour.
Tip: Use five box traps (unlocked at level 60) and bring stamina potions to maintain run energy.
Levels 80-99: Black Chinchompas
Black chinchompas in the Wilderness (level 32-36) are the fastest and most profitable Hunter method, but they come with PKer risks.
- Requirements: Level 80 Hunter, box traps, Hard Wilderness Diary (optional for faster access).
- XP Rates: Up to 250,000 XP/hour.
- Profit: Black chinchompas fetch over 2,000 GP each, potentially earning 1-2M GP/hour.
Tip: Bring only what you’re willing to lose, use low-value gear, and bank frequently to minimize losses.
Alternative Training Methods
If you prefer variety or need to train other skills, these alternative methods can complement your Hunter grind.
Drift Net Fishing (Levels 44-99)
Drift net fishing on Fossil Island trains both Hunter and Fishing simultaneously, ideal for players leveling both skills.
- Requirements: Level 44 Hunter, 47 Fishing, Bone Voyage, fishbowl helmet, diving apparatus, flippers.
- XP Rates: 70,000-100,000 Hunter XP/hour, plus Fishing XP.
- Tip: Use a merfolk trident or dragon harpoon to boost catch rates.
Herbiboar (Levels 80-99)
Herbiboar tracking on Fossil Island is less click-intensive and provides Herblore XP, perfect for Ironmen.
- Requirements: Level 80 Hunter, 31 Herblore, Bone Voyage.
- XP Rates: 120,000-150,000 XP/hour.
- Loot: Herbs and seeds for Herblore training.
Maniacal Monkeys (Levels 60-99)
Deadfall trapping maniacal monkeys in Kruk’s Dungeon (Ape Atoll) is a semi-AFK method with decent XP.
- Requirements: Level 60 Hunter, Monkey Madness II, Kruk monkey greegree.
- XP Rates: 50,000-70,000 XP/hour.
Tips for Efficient Hunter Training
Maximize your Hunter grind with these pro tips:
- Use RuneLite: Plugins like Hunter Timer and Puzzle Solver simplify bird house runs and quizzes.
- Combine with Other Skills: Bird house runs pair well with Farming or questing for passive XP.
- Bank Loot Regularly: Especially for chinchompas, to avoid losing valuable loot to PKers.
- Prioritize Fairy Rings: They cut travel time to key Hunter areas like Feldip Hills and Piscatoris.
- Stock Up on Supplies: Buy bulk seeds, traps, and teleports to minimize bank trips.
With this guide, you’re equipped to tackle Hunter from level 1 to 99 in OSRS. Start with the Natural History Quiz, lean on bird house trapping for early levels, and transition to chinchompas for the fastest XP and profit. Whether you’re chasing the Hunter skill cape or stacking GP, dedication and smart planning will get you there. Happy hunting!