Bear hunting and bear behaviour?

[past caring]

This might all sound a bit daft, but....

I've never proactively hunted bear before. I've killed plenty - but only because they're a menace - either I can't have them roaming freely around my favourite base camps (Quonset Garage, Pleasant Valley Farm) or because they are blocking routes I want to use (along the railway in Forlorn Muskeg or from the Mountaineers Hut up to crash site in Timberwolf Mountain). But I've never gone out of my way to kill them. Until now.

I've got a bear skin bed roll (from the bears hanging around PVF) and I'm in Mystery Lake and I want to repair it. Neither the lake den nor the den near Trapper's has bones in. The den just by Unnamed Pond does. I always assumed this is not like moose rubbings and that it means there is definitely a bear using this den. And assumed that the bear comes back to the den every night/at least once in 24 hours to sleep. Or have I misunderstood? Because thanks to a spell of protracted good weather I have just spent 48 hours sat on top of the den - and no sign of any bear....

[Leeanda]

It's not the same as moose no, it should be there. I had the same problem yesterday with trappers bear,I waited for four days and I saw nothing until I packed up and started heading back to camp office.   The one you have takes a bit of an odd path ,as far as I can gather,and tends to vanish somewhere between the higher part of the pond and the clump  of rocks on the left side.  It's even worse if you shoot and it runs off to die. 

I hope you have better luck with it though. 

[past caring]

@Leeana - cheers. Got him on my second visit. Now to decide whether it's worth going back for the meat.

[Leeanda]

2 minutes ago, past caring said:

@Leeana - cheers. Got him on my second visit. Now to decide whether it's worth going back for the meat.

Glad to hear it😊.   Depends how hungry you are I suppose.. 

[past caring]

1 hour ago, Leeanda said:

Depends how hungry you are I suppose.. 

Cheers - I took the lot. 😁 Food not really an issue, but I don't like waste and I don't like to kill stuff and then not eat it (I make an exception for wolves, unless I actually need the meat - the longer they take to decompose, the longer until they re-spawn). And the meat will come in handy whilst I'm kicking my heals waiting for the hide to cure.

[Leeanda]

3 minutes ago, past caring said:

Cheers - I took the lot. 😁 Food not really an issue, but I don't like waste and I don't like to kill stuff and then not eat it (I make an exception for wolves, unless I actually need the meat - the longer they take to decompose, the longer until they re-spawn). And the meat will come in handy whilst I'm kicking my heals waiting for the hide to cure.

Don't blame you.   It does take a while to cure so you'll probably need half of the meat anyway.😊

[hozz1235]

3 hours ago, past caring said:

Neither the lake den nor the den near Trapper's has bones in. The den just by Unnamed Pond does. I always assumed this is not like moose rubbings and that it means there is definitely a bear using this den.

I've never read this theory before.  Has anyone confirmed it?  (If bones are in bear den, bear is active on the map)

[Leeanda]

1 minute ago, hozz1235 said:

I've never read this theory before.  Has anyone confirmed it?  (If bones are in bear den, bear is active on the map)

It's always been the case when I've played.  I always look for the bones before I try to find the bear. 

[past caring]

@hozz1235 - there's been quite a few blog/story type posts since the TFTFT update where people have talked about "the bear den at......not being used this year as there are no bones in it" so I assumed that to be the case. Also for me it's always been the case that bear dens without bones on any particular run don't have bears. With this particular run, the two other possible locations in ML don't have bones or bears - so I was guessing there had to be at least one bear on the map. As the Unnamed Pond den has bones, I thought the bear has to be there - but then got worried after sitting on top of it for 48 hours straight with a no-show from Mr Bear.

[hozz1235]

Good to know.  I'll be doing some verification the next time I play.

[LostRealist]

Bumping this thread because for one I'd be interested what came of this

 

On 2/27/2023 at 6:12 PM, hozz1235 said:

Good to know.  I'll be doing some verification the next time I play.

 

And also plan to sidetrack it with this:

On 2/27/2023 at 2:28 PM, past caring said:

I always assumed this is not like moose rubbings

Is this still actually the case? I know the scratch marks used to only indicate possible locations, not active locations, but the fandom wiki says this:

"While wandering within close proximity of a suitable tree, a moose may randomly generate an antler rub on its stump."

Indicating that the rubbings are now dynamically generated by proximity of a moose, meaning they do indeed show active spawns now. Around Day 30 in a Custom run where Moose spawns are set to Medium I am seemingly able to confirm this - spent some time at Quonset with no moose around (thankfully all of the bears though, so I wasn't all alone with the dogs) and there were no rubbings on any of the trees.

Moved on to PV where I ran into a Moose on the edge of the birch forest near the outbuildings where rubbings were indeed present. Some exploring revealed no second moose at Pensive Pond - and also no rubbings. Can anyone confirm this? I would very much love if this mechanic was a thing now. All we'd need then is for them to actually wander around a bit more, since they're usually right next to their rubbings anyway...

[Leeanda]

Since the tftft update I have had no rubbings except at bricklayers in BlackRock. They are always there even if I've not seen the moose .

 

The bleak moose will always spawn somewhere and I don't remember ever seeing rubbings there...   

I believe that if there are rubbings in a set place then the moose will spawn there, but as with all moose they'll turn up when it suits them.. 

[LostRealist]

14 hours ago, Leeanda said:

I believe that if there are rubbings in a set place then the moose will spawn there, but as with all moose they'll turn up when it suits them..

 

This is what I have been going by as well all this time and even though I took quite a break from the game for a while, I certainly remember seeing the rubbings on the same trees every time, whether the moose had spawned or not. My current run appears to differ though and the wiki even includes this peculiar screenshot (that I can't seem to be able to embed as an image): https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/intothelongdark/images/4/47/Moose-mark.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20200127074440

Showing the same tree once with and once without the rubbings. This has my hopes up. I guess now I'll be the one doing some verifying.

 

 

[Leeanda]

16 minutes ago, LostRealist said:

 

This is what I have been going by as well all this time and even though I took quite a break from the game for a while, I certainly remember seeing the rubbings on the same trees every time, whether the moose had spawned or not. My current run appears to differ though and the wiki even includes this peculiar screenshot (that I can't seem to be able to embed as an image): https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/intothelongdark/images/4/47/Moose-mark.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20200127074440

Showing the same tree once with and once without the rubbings. This has my hopes up. I guess now I'll be the one doing some verifying.

 

 

It might all be moot soon anyway..if the new refresh comes, we don't know what it will affect..   

I can't see that image either. But  to be honest I've got used to no rubbings and just look for moose when I'm in the areas..  the only place I can guarantee to see one is in bleak inlet so if I'm desperate I always head there.   

I've never had rubbings in coastal and had the moose several times,on this run I didn't see it until day 500+ so they're a law unto themselves.

I am having issues with animals since the update though,wolves not spawning when they should and bears spawning when they're off in the settings. Moose could be affected too.

[LostRealist]

50 minutes ago, Leeanda said:

It might all be moot soon anyway..if the new refresh comes, we don't know what it will affect..   

I can't see that image either. But  to be honest I've got used to no rubbings and just look for moose when I'm in the areas..  the only place I can guarantee to see one is in bleak inlet so if I'm desperate I always head there.   

I've never had rubbings in coastal and had the moose several times,on this run I didn't see it until day 500+ so they're a law unto themselves.

I am having issues with animals since the update though,wolves not spawning when they should and bears spawning when they're off in the settings. Moose could be affected too.

 

Well, since they don't really wander I tend to see the moose before I see the rubbings anyway. That's why it would be great if they were more mobile - combined with "true" rubbings that actually indicate active spawns this would make for some amazing search and hunt expeditions I'm sure.

Indeed I also had a hunch that the wildlife spawns were a bit odd as of late. The wolf density seems to be lower than I would have expected for my settings, while a "Low" spawn setting for bears still leaves very, very few caves unoccupied. In fact I'd say moose are still the closest to what I would have expected with one encounter in 30 days on "Medium".

[Leeanda]

16 minutes ago, LostRealist said:

 

Well, since they don't really wander I tend to see the moose before I see the rubbings anyway. That's why it would be great if they were more mobile - combined with "true" rubbings that actually indicate active spawns this would make for some amazing search and hunt expeditions I'm sure.

Indeed I also had a hunch that the wildlife spawns were a bit odd as of late. The wolf density seems to be lower than I would have expected for my settings, while a "Low" spawn setting for bears still leaves very, very few caves unoccupied. In fact I'd say moose are still the closest to what I would have expected with one encounter in 30 days on "Medium".

Good idea..and in rease the radius of the rubbings.

 

There's definitely a bug, the 24hiur grace period doesn't always work either.

I had a loper custom run with wolves maxed out and no bears.. I saw three wolves over three-four maps and on the fourth map a bear suddenly turned up right next to me.. 

[LostRealist]

2 minutes ago, Leeanda said:

Good idea..and in rease the radius of the rubbings.

 

There's definitely a bug, the 24hiur grace period doesn't always work either.

I had a loper custom run with wolves maxed out and no bears.. I saw three wolves over three-four maps and on the fourth map a bear suddenly turned up right next to me.. 

Now that's some Oof right there. I'd probably report that one about the bear, since that one is quite clear.

[Leeanda]

Just now, LostRealist said:

Now that's some Oof right there. I'd probably report that one about the bear, since that one is quite clear.

I have already....   scared the wotsits out of me lol..

[LostRealist]

4 minutes ago, Leeanda said:

I have already....   scared the wotsits out of me lol..

I don't doubt it. I guess that's one way to get back the feeling of running into your first bear in TLD...

[Leeanda]

13 minutes ago, LostRealist said:

I don't doubt it. I guess that's one way to get back the feeling of running into your first bear in TLD...

Last time I played non passive with bears on was the first and only time I died from a mauling.... that was 4 years ago...  I play pilgrim custom as a rule..

[LostRealist]

Just now, Leeanda said:

Last time I played non passive with bears on was the first and only time I died from a mauling.... that was 4 years ago...  I play pilgrim custom as a rule..

I do like the thrill of the big game being able to hurt you bad, because I find that hunting them is too easy as it is, but I harbour massive respect for them for sure. I play very Custom rules with the least amount of condition regeneration possible short of none at all, so it can take very long to recover from a chomping. Haven't been trampled yet though 🤞

[ManicManiac]

On 8/27/2023 at 11:40 AM, ManicManiac said:

Under most circumstances, I like to hunt more out in the open, going more "toe-to-toe" as it were.
I will usually approach until the bear spots me and starts stalking.
I'll then use myself as bait and lure the bear to where it will be more convenient for me to harvest the carcass.
In other words, I lure the bear to me and then I control where the skirmish takes place.
When the bear is more or less in the area I want it... I'll get low and let it stalk closer.
The idea is to get into "charging range," so that when I take the first shot... if that doesn't drop it, then it will charge me rather than flee.
If the first shot doesn't knock it down... then I take the additional shot(s) while it's charging at me.

On average (whether it's a moose or a bear) it only usually takes 1-2 shots to take down large game.

Anyway, that's how I hunt bear on Great Bear Island.

  

[Leeanda]

Just now, LostRealist said:

I do like the thrill of the big game being able to hurt you bad, because I find that hunting them is too easy as it is, but I harbour massive respect for them for sure. I play very Custom rules with the least amount of condition regeneration possible short of none at all, so it can take very long to recover from a chomping. Haven't been trampled yet though 🤞

I'm ok with the moose,getting stomped on doesn't bother me ,it's just the bear I have issues with.. it's a health thing so they're a big no for me.. but I get what you mean.. 

I have done stalker and loper without bears on and I got plenty of maulings,as it should be..    but quite rightly they should rip you to pieces.

It's just terrifying hearing a giant roar down your ear when you really weren't expecting one.

[LostRealist]

4 hours ago, James Hickok said:

After that i had to spend a week there to regenerate my health to be able to travel again so i setup a base there and recovered, hunting, repairing, cooking etc. It seems really realistic that way for me.

That is my take as well. I actually play with no regeneration while awake and only low regeneration while asleep. My base settings are somewhere around Stalker difficulty-wise, but the very low regeneration makes your decisions so consequential. Death is not only possible by singular, major events like a fall, a blizzard or a bear, but can be the result of many small decisions that add up because I can't just sleep them off in a day. And I agree, NOGOA is  step too far in my opinion as well, because as I play now I can at least do something to improve my health rather than just keep staring into the ever-approaching abyss the whole run.

 

4 hours ago, James Hickok said:

The moose will never create new markings.

And this is basically my question. I know that that's the mechanic they were introduced with, but with the wiki stating the moose may "randomly generate markings" when passing by a suitable tree I'd just like to know if I'm being trolled there or not.

[artmunki]

So far as I've been able to tell, bones at a bear cave do indicate that particular bear spawn to be active (and therefore no bones mean that bear's not gonna show up in this playthrough), but I'm not sure they're necessarily present every day - not quite sure about that yet tho.

My take on the moose scratches is that they serve as markers in regions where there's a single moose spawn but more than one possible location, so you know which area to keep an eye on if you're looking for moose. The scratches seem to spawn at the start of your game with all the other inanimate RNG stuff in the world and won't change during that playthrough (same goes for the bear bones too btw), so that's the location the moose will always be when it decides to show up in a given region. This is why there are no scratches in DP or CH, as those two regions only have one possible spawn location each, so experienced players already know where a moose might show up. Not quite sure about the airfield yet, as I've only seen the moose in one location there so far, and can't remember if there were any scratches.

Of course, the Trapper's moose seems to be an exception to the basic rule, as that can turn up as and when it likes (but not nearly often enough ;p), and won't have scratches even when it's the only active spawn in the region (happened to me a few times). I guess Hinterland kinda know that Trapper's is a favourite homebase for many players, so there's a good chance you'll be around there quite frequently anyway. The BI moose can all be present at any time too despite having no scratches - even all 3 at the same time, on occasion - but this doesn't actually break the rule, since there's three potential, independent spawns in that region, not just the one. In my headcannon BI is kinda like the breeding ground for the island's moose population. 

I'd love to see more wandering behaviour for the moose. Like, it might not change anything for DP or maybe CH, but in the bigger multi-location regions the moose could sorta pop up in any of the possible locations during your playthrough, so it isn't always the same spot that gets all that meat. Couple that with those dynamically-generated scratches, maybe showing up a day or two before the moose itself actually arrives so you'd have the chance of spotting scratches as you pass through, and you could hang about to wait for it to show face. And then the moose hangs about there for a few days or whatever, and once it leaves the area the scratches would fade over the course of a week or something, so you'd have to learn to distinguish between fresh and faded markers - another nice wee bit of fieldcraft for the game. Throw in a few more possible spawn sites  around the island (but still only a single moose per region ... except for the breeding ground ;p), and going on a moose hunt becomes a lot more engaging even in the long game.

I know this would be a big change to moose behaviour, but it could fit just fine with the description of the global wildlife refresh that's already in the pipeline, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for now.