theHunter: Call of the Wild is a paid hunting simulator from Swedish developer Expansive Worlds (an Avalanche Studios Group label), priced around $29.99 USD for the base game on Steam (often discounted to under $8, with dozens of separate paid reserve and weapon-pack DLC). There is no legitimate free full download of the base game — this guide covers the official install steps, hardware requirements, and how the reserve-and-DLC structure actually works before you buy.
What Is theHunter: Call of the Wild?
theHunter: Call of the Wild is a 2017 first- and third-person hunting simulator developed by Expansive Worlds, a studio operating under the Avalanche Studios Group, and published by the same team. It sends players into large, open hunting reserves modeled loosely on real-world regions — from the pine forests of Idaho’s Hirschfelden to the swamps of Louisiana’s Bayou — tasked with tracking, calling, and harvesting a wide range of realistically simulated animals using authentic scouting, wind, and scent mechanics.
Unlike arcade-style hunting games, Call of the Wild leans heavily into simulation: animal AI reacts to wind direction and player noise, weapon ballistics account for bullet drop and travel time over long distances, and a detailed animal health and shot-placement system rewards ethical, well-placed shots over spray-and-pray tactics. The game also includes a photo mode, a needs-based scoring system, and cooperative multiplayer for hunting alongside friends.
How to Download theHunter: Call of the Wild (Official Steps)
- Open Steam and search for “theHunter: Call of the Wild”.
- Confirm the listing is published by Expansive Worlds.
- Click Add to Cart and complete checkout for the base game.
- Let Steam download and install the game files.
- Launch the game, complete the tutorial hunt, and pick your first reserve to explore.
How the Reserve and DLC System Works
The base game includes two starting reserves — Layton Lake District and Hirschfelden Hunting Reserve — giving new players a full, free-of-extra-charge introduction to the core hunting loop. Beyond that, Expansive Worlds sells additional reserves as separate paid DLC, each modeled on a distinct real-world-inspired biome with its own animal roster, terrain, and weather patterns, ranging from African savanna reserves to Scandinavian tundra.
Weapons, scopes, and equipment packs follow a similar model: some firearms are included free with the base game or specific reserves, while premium weapon packs, gear sets, and cosmetic outfits are sold individually or in bundles. This à la carte structure means the total cost of a fully loaded Call of the Wild collection can run well past the base game’s price, so it’s worth deciding which reserves’ animal rosters actually interest you before buying broadly.
Key Features
- Two free starting reserves plus dozens of paid DLC reserves with unique animal rosters.
- Realistic wind, scent, and animal AI systems that reward patient scouting.
- Detailed ballistics with bullet drop, wind drift, and organ-based damage modeling.
- Cooperative multiplayer for hunting with friends across shared reserves.
- Photo mode and a needs-based scoring system for trophy hunting goals.
- Regular free content updates alongside the paid DLC expansion model.
Ways to Get It for Less
- Steam seasonal sales: The base game and most DLC reserves regularly discount 50-75% during major Steam sales.
- Reserve bundles: Expansive Worlds periodically bundles several reserves together at a lower combined price than buying separately.
- Wishlist alerts: Wishlisting the base game and specific DLC on Steam flags the next price drop automatically.
System Requirements for theHunter: Call of the Wild
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit) | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-2300 or equivalent | Intel Core i7 (recent generation) |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 660 / AMD equivalent (2GB VRAM) | GTX 1060 or better |
| Storage | ~20 GB free space (base game) | More for additional reserves, SSD preferred |
Pros and Cons of theHunter: Call of the Wild
✅ Pros
- Deep, genuinely realistic hunting simulation with authentic ballistics
- Huge variety of reserves and animals across the full DLC catalog
- Relaxing, patient pacing that rewards scouting over reflexes
- Active co-op multiplayer for hunting with friends
❌ Cons
- À la carte DLC pricing can add up quickly for the full experience
- Slow pacing won’t appeal to players wanting fast action
- Some reserves feel more polished than others depending on release date
- Requires a fairly capable PC to run the denser, newer reserves smoothly
🖥️ PC (Windows)
Available on Steam and the Epic Games Store as a base game plus separately purchasable DLC.
🎮 Consoles
Also available on PlayStation 4/5 and Xbox One/Series X|S with the same reserve-based DLC structure.
Tips for New Players
- Always check wind direction before approaching animals — most spook because of scent, not sight.
- Use calls sparingly and correctly for each species; misused calls can spook rather than attract animals.
- Start on the free Layton Lake or Hirschfelden reserves before buying any DLC to see if the pacing suits you.
- Study each animal’s anatomy diagram before hunting it for cleaner, more ethical one-shot kills.
- Use the free Hunting Grounds mission tracker to build cash and XP toward better gear early on.
Who Should — and Shouldn’t — Play theHunter: Call of the Wild
How theHunter: Call of the Wild Fits the Franchise’s History
Call of the Wild is a spiritual successor to the original browser-based theHunter, which launched in 2009 and built a dedicated hunting-sim community years before this standalone release. Expansive Worlds rebuilt the concept for modern hardware using Avalanche Studios’ engine technology, expanding the scope from browser-based sessions into a full, standalone game with vastly more detailed reserves, animals, and simulation depth.
Since its 2017 launch, the game has received a steady stream of new reserves and content updates, growing from its original two free maps into one of the most expansive hunting simulation catalogs on the market, with reserves inspired by regions across North America, Europe, and Africa.
The Wind, Scent, and AI Systems in More Detail
Animal behavior in Call of the Wild is driven by a layered awareness system: sight detects movement and silhouette, hearing responds to footsteps and gunfire, and scent — carried and dispersed according to real-time wind direction — is often the deciding factor in whether an animal detects a hunter long before any visual contact happens. Skilled players learn to approach from downwind and use terrain to break sightlines, turning every hunt into a small tactical puzzle rather than a simple walk-up-and-shoot encounter.
This system extends into the game’s damage model as well, where shot placement against organs, bone, and muscle tissue determines how quickly and humanely an animal is downed, discouraging players from taking low-percentage shots purely for the sake of a kill.
Common Technical Issues and How to Fix Them
The most frequently reported issue involves frame rate drops in reserves with dense foliage, particularly on GPUs below the recommended specification; lowering foliage density and shadow quality in the graphics settings usually restores smoother performance. Players running multiple large reserve DLCs occasionally report longer load times, which is generally improved by installing the game on an SSD rather than a mechanical hard drive.
Co-op session desyncs are sometimes reported and are typically resolved by ensuring all players in a session are running the same game and DLC versions before starting a hunt together.
How theHunter: Call of the Wild Compares to Other Hunting Games
Compared to more arcade-focused hunting titles, Call of the Wild sits firmly on the simulation end of the spectrum, trading fast action for genuine patience and realism in a way few competitors attempt at this scale. Compared to Way of the Hunter, a newer rival simulation released in 2022, Call of the Wild has the advantage of a much larger existing reserve catalog and years of refinement, while the newer competitor offers a tighter, story-driven single-player campaign Call of the Wild doesn’t attempt.
For players specifically drawn to open-ended, realistic hunting across a wide variety of biomes and animals, Call of the Wild’s sheer scale of content remains difficult for any current competitor to match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is theHunter: Call of the Wild free to download?
The base game is paid, though it includes two full reserves at no extra cost; additional reserves are separate paid DLC.
Is it safe to download from third-party “free download” sites?
No, only install it through Steam, the Epic Games Store, or your console’s official store to avoid malware.
Do I need to buy DLC reserves to enjoy the game?
No, the two included reserves offer a full experience, though additional reserves add more animals and biomes.
Does it have multiplayer?
Yes, cooperative multiplayer lets you hunt together with friends across shared reserves.
Is it a realistic simulation or more of an arcade game?
It’s built as a realistic simulation, with authentic ballistics, wind, and animal AI systems.
Will it run on a mid-range PC?
Yes, though the newer, denser reserves benefit from hardware closer to the recommended specification.
This page is written for informational purposes to help you find the official, safe way to play theHunter: Call of the Wild. It does not link to or endorse any unofficial “free download” sources.
