Expansive Worlds released theHunter: Call of the Wild on 16 February 2017 through Avalanche Studios, and it is still receiving reserves nine years later, with the Peru map arriving on 16 June 2026 as the nineteenth destination. Every animal sits in a class from 1 to 9, every cartridge is rated for a class range, and the game checks your ammunition, your shot placement and your shot count before it awards a medal. Around 128 huntable species are spread across reserves that run from the Pacific Northwest to Nepal.
theHunter: Call of the Wild features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Layton Lake District | Level 1 and up, base game | Moose, Roosevelt Elk, Black Bear, Whitetail and Blacktail Deer | Ambusher skill tree |
| 2 | Hirschfelden Hunting Reserve | Level 1 and up, base game | European Bison, Red Deer, Wild Boar, Roe Deer, Fallow Deer | Ambusher skill tree |
| 3 | Medved-Taiga National Park | Mid game, class 6 and up cartridges required | Brown Bear, Moose, Gray Wolf, Eurasian Lynx, Siberian Musk Deer | Stalker skill tree |
| 4 | Vurhonga Savanna | Late game, class 9 cartridges required for the headline animals | Lion, Cape Buffalo, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Springbok | Stalker skill tree |
| 5 | Te Awaroa National Park | Mid game, class 3 to 6 cartridges | Red Deer, Himalayan Tahr, Chamois, Sika Deer, Feral Pig | Stalker skill tree |
Layton Lake District: Starting Area
The Pacific Northwest base reserve, with marshland, lakes and coniferous slopes. Nine species from mallard at class 1 up to moose at class 8, which makes it the reserve where the class system teaches itself.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 1 and up, base game |
| Key Rewards | Moose, Roosevelt Elk, Black Bear, Whitetail and Blacktail Deer |
| Recommended Build | Ambusher skill tree |
| Key Equipment | .270 Huntsman |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Need Zones. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Hirschfelden Hunting Reserve.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Hirschfelden Hunting Reserve: Early Game
The second base reserve, set in central European farmland and beech forest. It carries nine species including the European Bison at class 9, which is the single largest animal available without buying a reserve.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 1 and up, base game |
| Key Rewards | European Bison, Red Deer, Wild Boar, Roe Deer, Fallow Deer |
| Recommended Build | Ambusher skill tree |
| Key Equipment | .270 Huntsman |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Wind and scent. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for .270 Huntsman if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Medved-Taiga National Park.
Medved-Taiga National Park: Mid Game
Siberian taiga, released 17 October 2017, and the most punishing early reserve because of its dense cover and eight species that skew toward predators. Brown Bear at class 7, Gray Wolf at class 6 and Moose at class 8 all demand serious calibres.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Mid game, class 6 and up cartridges required |
| Key Rewards | Brown Bear, Moose, Gray Wolf, Eurasian Lynx, Siberian Musk Deer |
| Recommended Build | Stalker skill tree |
| Key Equipment | .270 Huntsman |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Ranger .243 becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Hunting Pressure for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Vurhonga Savanna: Late Game
The first African reserve, released 30 August 2018, with ten species and long sightlines that flip the game from stalking to ranging. Cape Buffalo and Lion both sit at class 9, so this is a reserve you visit with a .470 or a .338 rather than a starter rifle.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Late game, class 9 cartridges required for the headline animals |
| Key Rewards | Lion, Cape Buffalo, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Springbok |
| Recommended Build | Stalker skill tree |
| Key Equipment | Ranger .243 |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Ranger .243 should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Trophy Rating and medal bands mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Te Awaroa National Park.
Te Awaroa National Park: Endgame
New Zealand's South Island, released 10 December 2020, with ten species and steep alpine terrain that makes glassing from height the main tactic. Chamois and Himalayan Tahr live high and move fast, and Red Deer at class 6 is the largest animal here.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Mid game, class 3 to 6 cartridges |
| Key Rewards | Red Deer, Himalayan Tahr, Chamois, Sika Deer, Feral Pig |
| Recommended Build | Stalker skill tree |
| Key Equipment | Ranger .243 |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Archery perks for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Layton Lake District → Hirschfelden Hunting Reserve → Medved-Taiga National Park → Vurhonga Savanna → Te Awaroa National Park. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More theHunter: Call of the Wild Guides
- theHunter: Call of the Wild theHunter: Call of the Wild Overview
- theHunter: Call of the Wild Best Builds
- theHunter: Call of the Wild Tier List
- theHunter: Call of the Wild Walkthrough
- theHunter: Call of the Wild Beginner's Guide
- theHunter: Call of the Wild Tips & Tricks
- theHunter: Call of the Wild Weapons Guide
- theHunter: Call of the Wild Combat Guide
- theHunter: Call of the Wild Boss Guide
- theHunter: Call of the Wild Crafting Guide
- theHunter: Call of the Wild Classes & Characters
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