General hunting tip, based on personal experience.
Who knows if this is even real, but personally, I’ve found that when I’m hunting for literally anything that DOESN’T require the Varmint Rifle (deer, ram, elk, bear, etc), having the Varmint Rifle equipped and in Arthur’s hands increase the likeliness of an animal spawn.
To give an example, I was searching for 3 IRL days (3-4 hours each day) for 3-star bucks for the trapper. Always on foot, different locations in the map, crouched, cover scent, the whole nine yards, but I always had a Springfield Rifle on the shoulder, and a bow on the back. Found nothing. As soon as I started walking around with the Varmint Rifle in hand instead of the bow, 3-star bucks were everywhere. I’d just switch to the Springfield when I found them.
I really do think the game takes into account your location AND your weapon loadout and changes spawn rates. I SWEAR that having the Varmint Rifle in hand at least HELPS trick the game a little. Like I said, could be totally in my head, but in my experience it’s helped a lot.
Has anyone else noticed/experienced this?