Compound Bow Hunting + True Predator, Fast and Loud.

[Matty Louie Ray]

I've been enjoying Way of the Hunter for a while now and recently decided to challenge myself by hunting large game (American Black Bear and Western Moose) with a compound bow.

From what I've researched, the optimal shooting distance for a compound bow is about 30 yards. Anything beyond 50 yards likely won’t deliver enough penetration to hit vital organs effectively.

Here’s the problem: I can’t seem to get closer than 60 yards without spooking the animal, no matter what I try. I've experimented with slow crawling, crouching, and using trees or brush for cover during my approach. Even when my scent is blowing away from the animal (e.g., wind blowing south and the animal is to my north), I can’t close the gap—this is on Hiker difficulty, mind you. At this point, I’m desperate for advice.

Another issue I’m struggling with is understanding how the True Predator and Fast and Loud perks work. According to my research, pressing CTRL is supposed to "activate" the perks. However, when I crouch and hit CTRL, I only seem to slow down to a creeping pace. With the Fast and Loud perk, I assumed CTRL would speed me up, but it does the opposite.

It’s the same with True Predator. While proning and pressing CTRL, I notice a speed decrease, but I’m unsure how it affects my visibility. In Call of the Wild, there's a visibility indicator that shows how hidden you are, but Way of the Hunter doesn’t seem to have one. If that's the case, I get it—it’s a different game with its own style, which I appreciate. Still, I feel like I’m not fully understanding how the perks function or whether they’re even working properly.

So, with all of that in mind, does anyone have tips for hunting large game with a compound bow? And could someone explain how these perks are meant to work? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[VictoriaHuntress]

You need to avoid moving continuously for too long - as you get closer to the animals' location:
1 - you have to change to the slowest speed, maintain a small visual profile, and you need to stop more often, and wait. When I get to within 120m or so, it's time to slow down for sure.

2. Pay attention to the animal vocalizations as you approach, and stop if they go on alert. Wait until they settle down and become calm before moving again.

If they do go on alert, then there is a probability that they will spook anyway, no matter how careful you are. I've approached animals to within 20 meters, even when they've become alert and calmed down. On other occasions, using the same stealth tactics, they spook and run off at the first alert when I'm still 60 or 70m away. I'm playing on Hunter or Ranger difficulty, but even with every perk earned, things don't always work in my favour.

Try that stealth approach method and experiment with it.

[Andaramir]

Stop & go method works best for me. The closer you get the longer the stop phase and the smaller/shorter your movementphase. At some point i only do a couple steps. At this point you have to watch the animal very careful.

Also keep in mind that animal senses are different for every species. I would start with mule deer, since it is quite easy to get close.

[sneakybass]

Are you kidding me I have np killing animals out to 70 yards. Only thing wind plays a role In that. WOTH has a very unrealistic arrow flight. Real arrows now fly with less drag and less wind deflection than ever before. I shoot Victory Vap.166 diam Elite carbon arrows super super small diameter, 170.00 a dozen. I can shooting a eight inch pie plate Is no problem at 80 yards even with a 15 to 20 mph cross wind. These arrows cut thru the air 30% better. I wish WOTH would address this Issue some.
I
I remember when COTW the arrows would deflect four feet left or four feet right from 30 yards ,wind speed at 20 or 25 mph. Wind drift was a real pain It took COTW well over a year to fix this, Its Is now fixed. WOTH Is not that bad for wind drift but It could be Improved some. Or let us buy some premium carbon arrows can get a little more performance and accuracy wink wink. By the way Get lighted nocks In this game please and stay with white shafts or yellow shafts for spotting and let us pick them up and reuse them.

[sneakybass]

Anything new about the 3 pin site. Is It fixed yet using the Skye Vortex bow and better sound to it.

[Matty Louie Ray]

Originally posted by VictoriaHuntress:

You need to avoid moving continuously for too long - as you get closer to the animals' location:
1 - you have to change to the slowest speed, maintain a small visual profile, and you need to stop more often, and wait. When I get to within 120m or so, it's time to slow down for sure.

2. Pay attention to the animal vocalizations as you approach, and stop if they go on alert. Wait until they settle down and become calm before moving again.

If they do go on alert, then there is a probability that they will spook anyway, no matter how careful you are. I've approached animals to within 20 meters, even when they've become alert and calmed down. On other occasions, using the same stealth tactics, they spook and run off at the first alert when I'm still 60 or 70m away. I'm playing on Hunter or Ranger difficulty, but even with every perk earned, things don't always work in my favour.

Try that stealth approach method and experiment with it.

Originally posted by Andaramir:

Stop & go method works best for me. The closer you get the longer the stop phase and the smaller/shorter your movementphase. At some point i only do a couple steps. At this point you have to watch the animal very careful.

Also keep in mind that animal senses are different for every species. I would start with mule deer, since it is quite easy to get close.

Thank you for the tips! The careful stop and go method works very well! I've also switched to using callers also and they help immensely!

Originally posted by sneakybass:

Are you kidding me I have np killing animals out to 70 yards. Only thing wind plays a role In that. WOTH has a very unrealistic arrow flight. Real arrows now fly with less drag and less wind deflection than ever before. I shoot Victory Vap.166 diam Elite carbon arrows super super small diameter, 170.00 a dozen. I can shooting a eight inch pie plate Is no problem at 80 yards even with a 15 to 20 mph cross wind. These arrows cut thru the air 30% better. I wish WOTH would address this Issue some.
I
I remember when COTW the arrows would deflect four feet left or four feet right from 30 yards ,wind speed at 20 or 25 mph. Wind drift was a real pain It took COTW well over a year to fix this, Its Is now fixed. WOTH Is not that bad for wind drift but It could be Improved some. Or let us buy some premium carbon arrows can get a little more performance and accuracy wink wink. By the way Get lighted nocks In this game please and stay with white shafts or yellow shafts for spotting and let us pick them up and reuse them.

Also thank you for your useless input.