Whether you play on PC or console, have years of hunting experience or only play online, there are a few points that any of us can use to improve our overall performance as hunters. These will be “common sense” to many, but to others it might help be the difference between a successful hunt or not:

  1. Be very, very quiet
    -Obviously being observed by the game that you are hunting puts you at a big disadvantage. There are a lot of ways to make noise in the game, though. Not only do you make noise when you run through the brush, but you also make it when you change positions and constantly change through gear. Although other “shooter” games reward you for fast manuevers, almost EVERYTHING in COTW needs to be done slowly, methodically, and silently. Keep an eye on the little “speaker” icon in the bottom right and walk everywhere. Sprinting is not to be used on a hunt at all; only use the sprint option if you are going to a new location.
  2. Don’t bother with the ATVs
    -The only reason to use the ATVs are to unlock other locations on the map. But if you use them while trying hunt you will scare away all of the game and find yourself on a lonely hunt. My recommendation is to only use them to secure new hunting cabins and then come back later. I actually recommend that you skip them altogether and just walk where you need to go.
  3. Shoot everything while you level up, then be picky.
    -When you first start in COTW, you won’t have the right gear for most animals. You will have to do your best with what you have, which means taking good shots on everything you see. Once you level up enough to buy higher caliber weapons, then you can afford to be a bit more picky in terms of trying to take higher trophy animals. While you level up weapons and equipment, you will become more familiar with the essential game mechanics (sound, sight, wind, scent, etc.).

There’s a lot to learn with this game, but the main thing to keep in mind that it is not an arcade game. It is meant to be a simulation and the more realistically you play the game, the better your experience will be. Try to take shots as if you would really have to track the animal. Imagine yourself really out on the hunt and make careful, calculated decisions. The more you immerse yourself, the more rewarding the game is. You can surely sprint around and kill a doe with a few small rabbits, but if you are looking to have a realistic and rewarding hunt, be willing to devote serious time to the process.