The Anschütz 9.3x62 (a beefed up .308, if I'm not mistaken), is no rifle, but a
cannon.
It is the most superior meat-dropper over medium range, but at long range it loses precision and needs compensation due to the ballistics, so for the long range, the .300 probably is slightly better. At very close range, a shotgun with slug is the most brutal punishment there is, probably.
I have played the 9.3 until 250 hits, getting all scoring points for it. The Anschütz 8x57IS also is a favourite of mine which I now use for moose and bear now, its firing sound could be mistaken for a tank cannon.
The Blaser R8 6.5x55 is a very good choice to buy , too. It has a very fast reloading sequence, and if handled well it drops all deer except elk, moose and bears without affecting the score as much as the bigger callibre form the Anschütz rifle would do.
For a basic weapons outfit, I would recommend people to make a choice between the two mentioned Anschütz rifles and the .300, one of these will make a solid "heavy rifle"; then go for the Blaser R8 6.5x55 for an most-purpose "medium rifle", and then the Varmint .223 as a "light rifle" for small game. As a shotgun, the pump action is the best, imo. And I would go for the Python bow, so that you can snapshot nearby prey without alarming all your vicinity of your presence (however, most prey will run away, but it is a good choice for taking out turkey, roe deer, foxes and the like). In principle, more weapons you do not need. Any other weapons you buy, is for taste or curiosity.
On lures, any sprayed stuff - well, I play without it since I came to the game. But you need a caller for any species available, I use them all.
Blinds: not really needed, if you play sneaky. Also, I have an issue with the towers and tent blinds, that is that yoiu cannot shoot from a stabilized posiiton when being within them, you cannot crouch. You need to shoot while standing, and thus: unstabilised. Very stupid. They are being told SINCE YEARS, and they do not listen.
I would buy one camping tent at least. If oyu have it with you, always, you can "camp" at the end of the session, and later return and continue from your camping site. I have simulated whole virtual weekend expeditions that way, and enjoyed.
Finally, clothing. POlent yof their latest clothing is comsetic only, to pose in mutliplayer, but there also is functional clothing. Basically, there are two types, the one is reducing visibility, the other is reducing scent and noise. The first is good against birds, foxes, coyotes, bears when you are in thwe woods, it is less effective in the open. The other set is more effective against the deer species. Usually there are sets for summer green reserves, autumn (Hirschfelden), winter (Hemmeldahl), and now rougarou bayou has its own visual set as well. However, these clothes make it easier and increase chances to avoid detection, and you can get closer before animals spook, but it is not essential to wear these clothes if you adapt your playing style and be more cautious when wearing ordinary clothes only. As I said, clothing saw a boost in varierty with the implementation of MP, and that is where their commercial interest aims at.
I would get the bonoculars with integrated laser range finders, especially when you use the air rifle or a bow weapon. The Python bow since lately has a LRF aiming scope available, too. For the shotgun, there is a 2x red dot scope, but it is not really needed. The rfiles - I would get scopes for them. Avoid the 12x scope that is available for the .223, it is too tunnel-viewed. The Anschütz come with good 3-9x42 scopes, you need just one scope to buy, since it fits both rifles listed above. The rifles come in silver and black, so come the scopes, but you can mix the colours, if you want.
Scent eliminator spray is a consumable. It helps if you plan to get real close. But I have now come to play more and more without it.
A medikit allows you to continue the session if a hog or moose or bear mauls you up. Camping kit can b used to teleport to the camping sites or lodges, to continue from there. Since you made somethign wrong when an animals rolls over you, and you can adapt by playing more cautiously, none of these two items is essential.
Use those shooting ranges, especially the one on the east of Redfeather Falls and when you plan to use bow weapons.
Ducks and geese I would leave to snapshot the occasional animal you may tumble over when sneaking around. Specialising in hunting them imo is too much money for too little gameplay. You would need two callers (far and close range), a groundblind and at least 12 dummies to have reasonable chances to lure any flight of birds down to you. And that costs money.
Run only for some seconds after you fired a rifle, or in heavy rain. Usually, you should walk or crouch.
Only objects you cannot walk through hides you from the nauimals'S eyes, vegetation you can walk you will hinder your own eyesight, but will not hide you from the animal. Stay behind trees, therefore, lay down in grass. Be aware of wind direction, especially if you do not wear scent-reducing clothing and use no scent elimintor spray.
My preferred times to start a hunt, are 0600 and 1500. I do not play in the time between 1000 and 1500.
"I told him he should respect the right of way, but did he listen...? Nooo..."
