WARNING
This page is current in editing and new content will come shortly.
Please excuse the construction!
The knowledge of the best ways in which to approach prey is an important matter. The second level of tactics must be taught following the completion of Beginning Hunting Tactics. Following the completion of the Intermediate level and the training required to be prepared for the next level the apprentice should move forward to Advanced Hunting Tactics.
Flying Prey
Already Taught
- General Birds – Hunting birds in general are a fundamental hunting skill and must be mastered at beginning level.
- Tiny Birds – Tiny bird hunting is a fundamental skill that must be mastered at beginning level.
- Songbirds – Songbird hunting is a fundamental skill that must be mastered at the beginning level.
- Small Raptors – Small raptors are not dangerous, and the hunting of them should be mastered at the beginning level.
Birds, Group
- Specialty Tactic: Mandatory in all Clans
Some species of birds group together into flocks. These flocking birds work together and require multiple cats working in tandem to be effectively hunted. Two members of the hunting patrol distract the bulk of the flock, drawing their attention while watching each other’s backs to prevent injury. The third member of the patrol (along with any additional members over three) then works quickly to kill a bird or two before the prey is snatched and cover is taken by the hunters.
Animals Hunted With This Tactic: American Crow, Black Tern, Blackpoll Warbler, Bobolink, Brewer's Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Horned Lark, Lapland Longspur, White-throated Sparrow,
Waterfowl
- Specialty Tactic: Mandatory in RiverClan & ShadowClan. Infrequently taught in ThunderClan. Never taught in WindClan.
Ducks, with both the water and the sky to provide escape for them, are difficult to hunt by any means other than well-timed ambush from the shore. This ambush requires patience and an unparalleled stalking skill. The hunting cat must stalk along the bank, tracking all ducks in the area. The closest duck must then be attacked with a powerful leap that will take the cat out into shallow water or swamp. Once a kill is made on a duck a hunting trip can be considered complete, as a single duck is a large kill that will provide food to a large part of the clan.
Animals Hunted With This Tactic: American Black Duck, American Wigeon, Blue-winged Teal, Bufflehead, Canvasback, Common Goldeneye, Common Loon, Common Merganser, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Hooded Merganser, Horned Grebe, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Red-throated Loon, Redhead, Ruddy Duck, Wood Duck,
Bats
- Specialty Tactic: Rarely taught in any clan
Bats fly at night only, and in accordance are a truly difficult creature to hunt. They do not come to ground, and must be caught my leaping into the air and snatching them before they realize they have been attacked. This technique is difficult, and many cats who try it suffer sprained paws, bumps and bruises due to the dangers of executing such athletics at night.
Animals Hunted With This Tactic: Big Brown Bat, Hoary Bat, Little Brown Bat, Northern Long-eared Myotis, Silver-haired Bat,
Not Yet Taught
- Large Raptors – Hunting of Large predatory birds such as Eagles is a training specialty and should not be taught as hunting targets until the apprentice has mastered fighting basics.
Running Furred Prey
Already Taught
- Ground Rodents – Chipmunks and moles are a staple food of all the clans
- Land Rodents – Mice, shrews, and voles are a stable food for all the clans.
- Tree Rodents – Squirrels are a stable food of all the clans.
- Waterside Rodents – Water Voles and Water Shrews are common prey amongst any clan with water flowing through it.
Chase
- Specialty Tactic: Mandatory in WindClan. Frequently taught in RiverClan and ShadowClan. Infrequently taught in ThunderClan.
Rabbits and hares are amongst the largest of the common prey caught in all the clans. They possess amazing speed through powerful hind legs. Those same legs can kick hard enough to break legs and ribs in cats not quick enough to make a clean kill, or not strong enough to hold the animal firmly. There are two methods that work for hunting chase prey: the first being to wait along the paths they use frequently. The more reliable method, however, is to simply stalk carefully close enough and then give chase, as both rabbits and hares are prone to panic and a swift cat with good reflexes can follow the dodges and get closer by running in a straiter line than the rabbit’s erratic course.
Animals Hunted With This Tactic: Eastern Cottontail, White-tailed Jackrabbit,
Not Taught at This Level
- Rats – Rats are ferocious fighters and apprentices should not be taught to tackle them until they have mastered fighting basics.
Furless Land Prey
- Coming Soon
Furless Marsh Prey
- Coming Soon
Water Prey
Already Taught
- General Fish – Hunting fish like perch and bluegill are general are a fundamental hunting skill, especially in any clan that has water in its territory, and should be mastered at the beginning level.
- Tiny Fish – Tiny fish hunting, like minnows and herring, are a fundamental skill that must be mastered at beginning level.
- Eel – Juveniles are small and not dangerous, and the hunting of them should be mastered at the beginning level.
Fish, Group
- Specialty Tactic: Mandatory in Riverclan, Frequently taught in Shadowclan and Thunderclan. Never taught in Windclan.
Some fish species tend to group together into schools like dace, or feeding specific schools formed by some trout and bass. While one cat can have success in fishing from these schools, the best success comes with hunting as a team, lining the shore where other cats can drive the school to waiting paws. Extra cats in the hunting patrol should be available should one fish be too big to pull out by a single cat and patience is a must.
Catfish
- Specialty Tactic: Mandatory in Riverclan, Frequently taught in Shadowclan and Thunderclan. Never taught in Windclan.
Catfish hunt by vibrations felt by their sensitive whiskers and smell through their skin. Most are bottom feeders, attracted by surface tension and the smell of prey and can be lured to the surface with some clever use of fresh kill. As catfish can be unpredictable, its best to hunt them with a group with one cat to spot while the other actively waits for the catfish to surface. Patience is key and a strong cat is required to haul in most adults.
Not Taught at This Level
- Pike – Pike are strong, fierce predators and apprentices should not be taught to tackle them until they have mastered fighting basics.
- Sturgeon – Sturgeon are huge, armored fish that can easily drag apprentices into the water and should not try to tackle them until they have mastered fighting basics.
- Fish, Large – Large fish such as salmon are to be approached with caution and are not taught at the intermediate level.