Before you start hunting, you need to get equipped. You'd better head to the Lodge. Click on the Expert Hunter to buy gear and find out more about the hunt.

Items at the top of the screen are for sale. Items you own appear in your pack below. Use the tabs at the top of the screen to change categories. Select an item to see a description, then click Buy if you want to purchase. Select an item in your pack and click Sell to sell it back at a loss.

Buy clothing and navigation gear suitable to the terrain and climate. Always buy a map and at least one other navigation tool to keep you from getting lost.

You need a legal tag for any animal you hunt. Buy the right tags for your region and season. Read the tag description for bag limits and firearm or bow restrictions.

Calls and lures are useful tools for attracting game. Buy the right call or lure for the animal you're after.

The Tools category has optics to help you see farther, scopes for rifles and shotguns, cover scents, and decoys to attract game. If you want to stand hunt, you'll need a hunting blind or tree stand.

You need a gun or bow to take an animal. Talk to the Expert Hunter to find out what some good choices for your game.

You can only use the same caliber of round for any firearm.

You have to purchase the right type of ammunition for this item from the Ammo category. Sight in your gun or bow in the Lodge Sighting Range before you go hunting.

Hold down the "B" key to hold your breath and steady your shot. Fire your gun or bow at the target. Check the target. Use the arrow keys to zero in until your shot hits dead center.

You can't go hunting without a gun or bow. Go back to the Lodge and purchase a gun or bow and some ammunition.

Now you're ready to track down your first trophy. Use your vehicle to go to one of the areas where you can hunt.

Use the vehicle to change areas in this hunting region. Select the staging area or hunting area you want to go to from the map.

This is an animal sign. The text identifies the type of animal that made the sign and how old the sign is. You can turn this information off on the Options screen.

These are the items you have available. To use other items, click the Open button to show more of your backpack.

Match your location on the GPS to the Map grid to see where you are. You can set a marker and point to it at any time to find out how far away you are. You can also point to the Lodge and Camp.

The Map shows the location of water, landmarks, and buildings. The Grid shows your position as a numeric value. Match this Grid to the display on the GPS to find out exactly where you are.

This is your Camp. When you take a trophy, you'll return here. You can also spend the night here. To move your Camp, click on the tent and select "Break Camp." Then pitch it somewhere else.

You can only walk through shallow water.

To run, click the walk button on your toolbar until it says "run". You cannot run on all types of terrain.

To creep, click the walk button on your toolbar until it says "creep". Creeping helps you sneak up on game.

To walk normally, return the walk button to "walk".

Place your cursor over the animal and click to bring up a video. If the cursor is red and has a slash through it, you'll have to stalk closer and get a clear line of sight. You cannot hunt in the Staging Area.

To claim your trophy, click on the downed animal. After you see your trophy award, you'll be returned to your Camp or your vehicle.

Night hunting is illegal. You need to return to your Camp or the Lodge for the night.

To use the Tree Stand, click near a tree. You can't set up a Tree Stand too near any building or large body of water.

To use the Hunting Blind, click on an open piece of land. You can't set up Hunting Blinds near any building or large body of water.