Fastest Way to Get 1–99 Hunter in OSRS
Hunter is one of the more unique skills in Old School RuneScape. Instead of gathering resources from rocks, trees, or fishing spots, Hunter involves tracking and catching creatures using traps, bird snares, box traps, and other specialized methods.
Training can feel slow at first, but the skill becomes significantly faster as you unlock better creatures and training methods.
Hunter also unlocks useful rewards and several profitable activities at higher levels.
This guide walks you step by step from level 1 all the way to 99 Hunter using efficient training methods.
Why Hunter Is Worth Training
Fast experience at higher levels
Hunter becomes considerably faster once you unlock stronger training methods.
Useful account unlocks
Hunter provides access to creatures, equipment, resources, and activities used throughout OSRS.
Money-making potential
Some Hunter methods can provide valuable resources while you train.
Different training styles
You can choose between active high-XP methods and more relaxed alternatives depending on how you prefer to play.
Levels 1–9: Crimson Swifts
Method: Bird Snares
Start your Hunter journey by catching Crimson swifts.
You'll need a bird snare, which can be purchased from Hunter shops.
Place the snare near the birds and wait for one to interact with it.
Why this works
-Cheap equipment
-Simple mechanics
-Fast early levels
-Good introduction to Hunter
You won't spend very long here because the first Hunter levels are extremely quick.
Levels 9–20: Copper Longtails
At level 9 Hunter, move on to Copper longtails.
You'll continue using bird snares, so the training method is almost identical.
Tips
-Reset failed traps quickly
-Stay close to your bird snare
-Keep training until better methods unlock
These early levels are mostly about unlocking stronger Hunter creatures.
Levels 20–29: Tropical Wagtails
At level 20, Tropical wagtails become another option.
They provide better experience than earlier birds while maintaining the same basic bird-snare mechanics.
Continue training until you unlock more efficient methods.
Levels 29–43: Swamp Lizards
At level 29 Hunter, you can begin catching Swamp lizards.
This introduces a different style of Hunter training.
You'll use ropes and small fishing nets to create traps at young trees.
Why Swamp Lizards are good
-Better XP than early bird trapping
-Multiple traps can be used as your Hunter level increases
-Simple training loop
-Good bridge toward higher-level methods
Managing multiple traps efficiently becomes increasingly important as your Hunter level rises.
Levels 43–60: Falconry
Falconry becomes a strong training option once you reach the required Hunter level.
Instead of placing traditional traps, you'll use a falcon to catch kebbits.
This makes the training much more active.
Why Falconry is useful
-Fast experience
-Little waiting between catches
-No complicated trap setup
-Good mid-level progression
The downside is that Falconry requires more attention than relaxed trapping methods.
Levels 47–59: Orange Salamanders
Orange salamanders provide another useful training option.
The method works similarly to Swamp lizards, using ropes and small fishing nets.
Best for
Players who prefer traditional trapping rather than the more active Falconry method.
As you unlock additional trap placements, your XP rates will improve.
Levels 59–67: Red Salamanders
Red salamanders provide a noticeable improvement over earlier salamander methods.
At this point, Hunter starts becoming considerably faster.
Tips
-Keep every available trap active
-Reset failed traps immediately
-Position yourself efficiently between trap locations
-Drop unwanted items quickly
Small efficiency improvements add up significantly over thousands of catches.
Levels 63–80: Red Chinchompas
Red chinchompas are one of the most recognizable Hunter training methods in OSRS.
You'll use box traps to catch them.
Why Red Chinchompas are popular
-Good Hunter XP
-Valuable catches
-Useful for Ranged training
-Can provide profit while training
This makes them attractive for players who want a combination of XP and GP.
Box Trap Training
Box traps become extremely important during higher-level Hunter training.
The basic loop is simple:
-Place your traps
-Wait for creatures
-Check successful traps
-Reset failed traps
-Reposition when necessary
The number of traps you can use increases as your Hunter level rises.
Using every available trap is important for maximizing XP.
Levels 73–99: Black Chinchompas
Black chinchompas can provide excellent Hunter experience and valuable catches.
However, there's one major difference.
They're located in the Wilderness.
That means other players can attack you.
Pros
-Excellent XP
-High-value catches
-Strong profit potential
Cons
-Wilderness PvP risk
-You can lose carried chinchompas if killed
-Requires more attention
-Potential interruptions
Black chinchompas can be extremely efficient, but they're not ideal for players who dislike Wilderness content.
Levels 80–99: Herbiboar
Herbiboar provides a completely different Hunter training experience.
Instead of repeatedly placing traps, you'll track a Herbiboar across Fossil Island.
The activity involves following tracks until you eventually locate and harvest the creature.
Why Herbiboar is popular
-Good Hunter XP
-Herblore-related resources
-More relaxed than some high-intensity methods
-Useful alternative to chinchompas
Herbiboar is especially appealing if you don't want to spend dozens of hours constantly resetting box traps.
Birdhouse Runs
Birdhouse runs are one of the most useful passive Hunter training methods.
Instead of actively training Hunter for hours, you set up birdhouses on Fossil Island and return later to collect them.
Benefits
-Low effort
-Fast runs
-Passive Hunter XP
-Bird nests
-Easy to combine with other skills
Birdhouse runs aren't necessarily the fastest way to rush directly to 99, but they're extremely efficient considering how little active time they require.
Why You Should Start Birdhouse Runs Early
Starting birdhouse runs early can save you a significant amount of active Hunter training later.
You can train another skill, complete quests, do Slayer, or go bossing while your birdhouses work in the background.
Then return periodically to collect the XP.
Over weeks or months, this can add up to millions of Hunter experience.
Fastest Hunter Training Methods
If your priority is maximum XP, you'll generally want increasingly active methods as your level rises.
A typical fast progression involves:
-Bird snares
-Lizards and salamanders
-Falconry
-Red salamanders
-Chinchompas
-High-level Hunter methods
The exact fastest method can depend on your efficiency and available unlocks.
Hunter for Profit
Hunter doesn't have to be trained purely for XP.
Several methods can generate GP.
Popular examples include:
-Red chinchompas
-Black chinchompas
-Herbiboar
-Birdhouse runs
Profit changes with Grand Exchange prices, so don't assume one method will always provide the same GP per hour.
Red Chinchompas vs Black Chinchompas
Both are useful high-level Hunter methods.
Red Chinchompas
-Safer
-Good XP
-Good profit
-No Wilderness risk
Black Chinchompas
-Potentially better XP
-Potentially better profit
-Wilderness risk
-More attention required
If you want relaxed training, Red chinchompas may be preferable.
If you're comfortable in the Wilderness and prioritize efficiency, Black chinchompas can be attractive.
Hunter Equipment
Hunter doesn't require expensive armor or weapons.
Instead, you'll use specialized equipment depending on your training method.
Common items include:
-Bird snares
-Box traps
-Ropes
-Small fishing nets
-Butterfly nets
-Teasing sticks
-Hunter clothing
Always check which equipment your chosen creature requires before traveling to the training location.
How Many Traps Can You Use?
As your Hunter level increases, you can place more traps simultaneously.
This is extremely important.
More traps mean:
-More catches
-Less downtime
-More XP per hour
One of the biggest Hunter training mistakes is failing to use the maximum number of traps available to your level.
Experience Rates
Hunter XP rates vary significantly depending on your level and training method.
Early levels: 10k to 30k XP per hour
Mid levels: 30k to 80k XP per hour
Higher levels: 80k to 150k+ XP per hour
Efficient high-level methods can potentially provide even stronger rates.
Birdhouse runs work differently because they provide large amounts of XP for very little active training time.
Time to 99 Hunter
Getting from level 1 to 99 Hunter requires approximately 13 million XP.
Depending on your method and efficiency, reaching 99 can take roughly:
-Fast active methods: 80 to 140 hours
-More relaxed methods: 120 to 200+ hours
-Birdhouse-focused training: much longer in real-world time but significantly less active playtime
Combining birdhouse runs with active Hunter training can reduce the amount of grinding required.
How Much Does 99 Hunter Cost?
Hunter is generally inexpensive to train.
Most training equipment costs very little.
Depending on your method, you may actually make money while progressing toward 99.
Your main investment is usually time rather than GP.
Fastest Path to 99 Hunter
A simple progression looks like:
-Level 1–9: Crimson swifts
-Level 9–20: Copper longtails
-Level 20–29: Tropical wagtails
-Level 29–43: Swamp lizards
-Level 43–59: Falconry or salamanders
-Level 59–63: Red salamanders
-Level 63–73: Red chinchompas
-Level 73–99: Black chinchompas or other high-XP methods
-Level 80–99: Herbiboar as an alternative
You can also perform birdhouse runs throughout your progression.
Common Hunter Training Mistakes
Not using every available trap
Leaving failed traps sitting too long
Ignoring birdhouse runs
Choosing profit methods when your goal is maximum XP
Risking too many chinchompas in the Wilderness
Forgetting required Hunter equipment
Training inefficient creatures for too long
Not unlocking Fossil Island early
Why Hunter Is a Great 99
Hunter starts slowly, but it becomes much faster and more rewarding as you progress.
Early bird trapping quickly turns into salamanders, Falconry, chinchompas, Herbiboar, and passive birdhouse runs.
It's also one of the few skills where efficient training can provide valuable resources instead of simply draining your bank.
If you want the fastest route, focus on progressing toward high-XP trapping methods and make full use of every trap available to your level.
If you prefer a more relaxed journey, combine active training with birdhouse runs and Herbiboar.
Either way, consistent training will eventually get you to 99 Hunter without requiring a massive GP investment.
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