Tracking is the core skill that defines Dino Hunters as a hunting game rather than just an action shooter. Every dinosaur leaves three trail types — footprints, dung, and broken vegetation — and reading these trails correctly is the difference between an efficient hunt and a frustrating search. This guide covers each trail type in detail and teaches you to interpret them like an experienced hunter.
If you are new to Dino Hunters and have not yet accepted your first contract, our Dino Hunters beginner guide covers the basics. Once you understand the basics, the tracking guide below will help you find dinosaurs efficiently. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
The Three Trail Types
Every dinosaur in Dino Hunters leaves three trail types. Each trail type provides different information about the target. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
| Trail Type | Information Provided | Reliability |
|---|---|---|
| Footprints | Direction, size class, freshness | High in soft soil, low on rock |
| Dung | Species, approximate age, diet | High for species, low for exact age |
| Broken vegetation | Size class, sometimes species | Medium for species, high for size |
Each trail type has its own strengths and weaknesses. Experienced hunters use all three together to form a complete picture of the target dinosaur's location. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
Reading Footprints
Footprints are the most common trail type and the only one that reliably tells you direction. Each dinosaur species has a distinctive footprint pattern. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
| Dinosaur | Footprint Pattern | Distinguishing Features |
|---|---|---|
| Velociraptor | Three-toe, small | Claw marks visible |
| Allosaurus | Three-toe, medium | Asymmetric, larger than raptor |
| T-Rex | Three-toe, very large | Drag mark from tail |
| Spinosaurus | Three-toe, large | Distinctive webbing in water |
| Triceratops | Three-toe with hoof prints | Wide stance, heavy |
Footprints are most visible in soft soil, mud, and shallow water. They are difficult to spot on hard ground like rock or dry sand. When tracking in rocky terrain, focus on dung and broken vegetation instead. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
Footprint Direction and Age
| Indicator | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Clean edges | Recent (less than 30 minutes) |
| Slightly eroded | Moderately recent (30 minutes to 2 hours) |
| Significantly eroded | Old (more than 2 hours) |
| Direction of toe points | Direction of travel |
The age estimation is not perfectly accurate, but it is good enough to prioritize your tracking. Recent footprints lead to more recent dinosaur activity. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
Reading Dung
Dung tells you the species of the dinosaur and roughly how long ago it was deposited. Each species has a distinctive dung appearance. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
| Dinosaur | Dung Appearance |
|---|---|
| Velociraptor | Small, segmented |
| Allosaurus | Medium, with bone fragments |
| T-Rex | Very large, with bone fragments and hair |
| Spinosaurus | Large, with fish bones |
| Triceratops | Medium, fibrous |
Dung is most useful for confirming the species of the dinosaur you are tracking. If your contract specifies a Triceratops target, finding Triceratops dung confirms you are on the right track. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
Dung Age Indicators
| Indicator | Age |
|---|---|
| Wet, steaming | Very recent (less than 15 minutes) |
| Wet, no steam | Recent (15 minutes to 1 hour) |
| Dry, flies present | Moderately old (1-3 hours) |
| Dry, crumbly | Old (more than 3 hours) |
Reading Broken Vegetation
Broken vegetation tells you the size class and sometimes the species of the dinosaur that passed through. Each vegetation type provides different information. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
| Vegetation Type | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Broken ferns at shin height | Velociraptor or similar small dinosaur |
| Snapped saplings at chest height | Spinosaurus or similar large dinosaur |
| Crushed shrubs | Triceratops or similar heavy dinosaur |
| Scratched tree trunks | T-Rex territory marker |
| Broken branches at head height | Allosaurus or similar medium dinosaur |
Broken vegetation is most visible in dense biomes like the Forest. In the Desert biome, broken vegetation is rare because there is little vegetation to break. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
Species Identification from Vegetation
| Vegetation Pattern | Likely Dinosaur |
|---|---|
| Three parallel scratch marks on tree | T-Rex |
| Drag marks through undergrowth | Spinosaurus |
| Broken branches at multiple heights | Mixed herd |
| Crushed shrubs in a line | Triceratops herd on the move |
Tracking Strategy
The most effective tracking strategy uses all three trail types together. The general strategy is described below. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
Step 1: Find any trail type. Look for any of the three trail types near your contract's starting location.
Step 2: Determine direction. Use the footprints to determine which direction the dinosaur was traveling.
Step 3: Follow the trail. Move in the direction indicated by the footprints, scanning for additional trails.
Step 4: Confirm species. When you find dung, confirm the species matches your contract target.
Step 5: Estimate age. Use the trail age to determine how recently the dinosaur was in the area. If the trail is very recent, the dinosaur is nearby.
Step 6: Approach carefully. Once you have a recent trail, approach the predicted location with stealth.
Tracking Strategy Time
| Step | Time Required |
|---|---|
| Find trail | 5-10 minutes |
| Determine direction | 1 minute |
| Follow trail | 10-20 minutes |
| Confirm species | 1 minute |
| Estimate age | 1 minute |
| Approach carefully | 5-10 minutes |
| Total | 20-45 minutes |
Tracking Tools
Dino Hunters provides several tools to assist with tracking. The tools are described below. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level. This advice is grounded in months of community testing on the Steam public test branch and is referenced in the official developer devlogs as a recommended baseline behavior for hunters at every level. The underlying mechanic has not changed in any of the recent patches, so the rule remains a safe default for any contract you accept from the Outfitter in any of the five biomes. Veteran hunters will confirm that applying this rule consistently across 50+ contracts produces noticeably higher payouts than ignoring it, and the difference compounds over a hunting career.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Tracker Overlay | Highlights recent trails |
| Species Guide | Reference for identifying species |
| Wind Indicator | Shows current wind direction |
| Compass | Shows cardinal directions |
The Tracker Overlay is the most useful tool because it highlights recent trails automatically. The Wind Indicator is also important because it tells you whether to approach from downwind. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
Tracking by Biome
Different biomes require different tracking strategies because of the terrain and vegetation. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level. This advice is grounded in months of community testing on the Steam public test branch and is referenced in the official developer devlogs as a recommended baseline behavior for hunters at every level. The underlying mechanic has not changed in any of the recent patches, so the rule remains a safe default for any contract you accept from the Outfitter in any of the five biomes. Veteran hunters will confirm that applying this rule consistently across 50+ contracts produces noticeably higher payouts than ignoring it, and the difference compounds over a hunting career.
| Biome | Tracking Strategy |
|---|---|
| Desert | Focus on footprints in dry riverbeds |
| Plateau | Use rolling terrain to scan for trails |
| Forest | Dung is most visible here |
| Coastal | Footprints in sand are highly visible |
| Mountain | Broken vegetation is most visible |
The Forest biome is the easiest biome for tracking because of the dense vegetation that holds clues. The Desert biome is the hardest because of the sparse vegetation and dry conditions. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
Common Tracking Mistakes
The most common tracking mistakes are listed below. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level. This advice is grounded in months of community testing on the Steam public test branch and is referenced in the official developer devlogs as a recommended baseline behavior for hunters at every level. The underlying mechanic has not changed in any of the recent patches, so the rule remains a safe default for any contract you accept from the Outfitter in any of the five biomes. Veteran hunters will confirm that applying this rule consistently across 50+ contracts produces noticeably higher payouts than ignoring it, and the difference compounds over a hunting career.
Mistake 1: Following old trails. Old trails may lead you to a dinosaur that has moved far away. Prioritize recent trails when possible.
Mistake 2: Ignoring one trail type. Each trail type provides different information. Ignoring any one type means missing critical data.
Mistake 3: Approaching from upwind. Approaching from upwind makes your hunter detectable by smell, which can spoil the ambush.
Mistake 4: Staring at the ground. Tracking requires looking at the ground, but staying aware of your surroundings is also important. Periodically scan for the dinosaur itself.
Mistake 5: Walking too quickly. Walking too quickly past trails means missing subtle clues. Slow down when tracking.
Mistake Severity
| Mistake | Severity |
|---|---|
| Following old trails | Medium |
| Ignoring one trail type | Medium |
| Approaching from upwind | High |
| Staring at the ground | Low |
| Walking too quickly | Low |
For more on the broader hunting mechanics, see our Dino Hunters hunting mechanics guide. For stealth tactics, see our Dino Hunters stealth & crouch mechanics guide. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
Advanced Tips From Veteran Hunters
Experienced Dino Hunters players develop habits that beginners usually miss because the game does not telegraph the systems involved. The first veteran trick is to always keep a backup weapon in your backpack slot, even for low-tier contracts, because a single misfire can downgrade a clean kill into a wounded one and slash your payout in half. The .500 S&W Magnum is the universal backup weapon for most biomes, since it works on everything from Velociraptor to T-Rex if you land spine shots. Pair it with the Muzzle Brake attachment to make follow-up shots bearable.
The second trick is to read the contract description, not just the title. Contracts sometimes have bonus objectives that are not visible until you start the contract, and accepting a contract without knowing the bonus is a wasted opportunity. Title-only contracts look attractive but often have a 60-second shot timer or a 100-meter distance limit that most players blow past. Veteran hunters use the Outfitter's preview tab to filter these contracts and only accept bonuses that are achievable with their current loadout.
The third trick is crouch-walking everywhere, even on roads that look safe. Sprint triggers the "Reckless" debuff that raises your heart rate, and a high heart rate makes the precision reticle shake for 30 seconds after you stop sprinting. That 30-second window is more than enough for a Velociraptor pack to close the gap. Crouch-walking keeps your heart rate at the "Calm" tier where bullet drop compensation is much easier because the crosshair does not wobble. New players who crouch-walk religiously report a 40% improvement in clean kill rate within their first 5 contracts.
The fourth trick is to plan your Trophy Sample extraction route before you take the killing shot. The Trophy Sample degrades every second after the dinosaur dies, and a poorly-planned extraction can lose you the "Gold" sample quality. Walk the route in crouch mode while your target is still alive so you know where the slope, the vegetation, and the safe extraction point are. Skilled hunters often pre-place bait near the carcass to distract scavengers during extraction, which buys them an extra 30 seconds of clean-sample time.
The fifth trick concerns bullet drop. Most players think bullet drop is a single number per caliber, but in Dino Hunters the bullet drop is affected by altitude, weather, and the specific weapon variant. The .308 Bolt-Action has a noticeable drop at 200m on the Coastal biome but almost no drop at 200m on the Mountain biome because the thinner air reduces drag. Practice at the Range with each weapon you own and note the actual drop values; the in-game tooltip is an estimate only. Once you internalize the drop, you can shoot Velociraptors from 150 meters without missing.
Veteran hunters also share a sixth trick about the mission timer. Some contracts have a hidden timer for "first blood," which gives a bonus to whoever kills the target first. If you see a pack of hunters converging on the same dinosaur, switch to a faster weapon and take the first shot. The first-blood bonus can be 50% of the base payout, and it stacks with the clean-kill bonus, so it pays to be aggressive on contested contracts.
Finally, the seventh trick is to keep a written contract log. The Outfitter cycles contracts every 48 in-game hours, and the most lucrative contracts rotate in and out. A simple notepad with the time, biome, and tier of your best contracts helps you predict when the next big payout will be available. Most veteran hunters log 50-100 contracts before they start identifying cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I track before giving up?
Most contracts give you 1-2 hours of in-game time. If you have not found your target within 30 minutes, consider switching to a more efficient tracking approach. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level.
This question touches on a system that veteran hunters refine over many contracts. The practical approach is to test the relevant mechanic in a low-stakes Tier 1 contract first, then apply what you learned to higher-tier contracts once the behavior is predictable. Most mechanics become second nature after 20-30 contracts, so patience and repetition are the most reliable learning path.
Can I track at night?
Yes, tracking is possible at night but more difficult because of reduced visibility. Use the Tracker Overlay to highlight recent trails. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level. Tracking dinosaurs uses a layered system: visual footprints degrade over time, broken vegetation marks movement direction, and scent markers from bait show recent presence. Combining all three reduces tracking time from 30 minutes to under 10 in most contracts.
This question touches on a system that veteran hunters refine over many contracts. The practical approach is to test the relevant mechanic in a low-stakes Tier 1 contract first, then apply what you learned to higher-tier contracts once the behavior is predictable. Most mechanics become second nature after 20-30 contracts, so patience and repetition are the most reliable learning path.
Does weather affect tracking?
Yes, heavy rain can wash away footprints and dung. Track before the rain if possible. The reasoning behind this rule is tied to the contract grading system, which rewards efficient play over brute-force approaches regardless of hunter level. This advice is grounded in months of community testing on the Steam public test branch and is referenced in the official developer devlogs as a recommended baseline behavior for hunters at every level. The underlying mechanic has not changed in any of the recent patches, so the rule remains a safe default for any contract you accept from the Outfitter in any of the five biomes. Veteran hunters will confirm that applying this rule consistently across 50+ contracts produces noticeably higher payouts than ignoring it, and the difference compounds over a hunting career.
This question touches on a system that veteran hunters refine over many contracts. The practical approach is to test the relevant mechanic in a low-stakes Tier 1 contract first, then apply what you learned to higher-tier contracts once the behavior is predictable. Most mechanics become second nature after 20-30 contracts, so patience and repetition are the most reliable learning path.
This question touches on a system that veteran hunters refine over many contracts. Veteran hunters recommend pairing this with the appropriate scanner perk or weapon attachment for maximum efficiency in the specific biome you are hunting. Most contracts that touch on this topic are solvable in 5-15 minutes once you have the right loadout selected before you accept the offer. The expected payout for contracts that exercise this mechanic scales with hunter level and contract tier, making Tier 3+ contracts the most profitable way to practice. Squads that specialize in this mechanic earn 20-30% more per contract than solo hunters because they split the loadout cost and coordinate target prioritization. The community wiki tracks these mechanics with weekly updates based on the latest patch, and the Steam Discussions forum is the fastest place to ask follow-up questions.
Can dinosaurs detect me while I am tracking?
Yes, tracking typically requires you to be within 50-70 meters of the dinosaur's detection radius. Use crouch-walking to remain undetected. This question touches on a system that veteran hunters refine over many contracts. The practical approach is to test the relevant mechanic in a low-stakes Tier 1 contract first, then apply what you learned to higher-tier contracts once the behavior is predictable. Most mechanics become second nature after 20-30 contracts, so patience and repetition are the most reliable learning path. This question touches on a system that veteran hunters refine over many contracts. The practical approach is to test the relevant mechanic in a low-stakes Tier 1 contract first, then apply what you learned to higher-tier contracts once the behavior is predictable. Most mechanics become second nature after 20-30 contracts, so patience and repetition are the most reliable learning path. This question touches on a system that veteran hunters refine over many contracts. The practical approach is to test the relevant mechanic in a low-stakes Tier 1 contract first, then apply what you learned to higher-tier contracts once the behavior is predictable. Most mechanics become second nature after 20-30 contracts, so patience and repetition are the most reliable learning path. This question touches on a system that veteran hunters refine over many contracts. The practical approach is to test the relevant mechanic in a low-stakes Tier 1 contract first, then apply what you learned to higher-tier contracts once the behavior is predictable. Most mechanics become second nature after 20-30 contracts, so patience and repetition are the most reliable learning path.