Rust Hunting Bow
The starter weapon. Default-known, silent, uses wooden arrows. The first ranged weapon every player gets.
Fast facts
| Tier | T0 — default-known, no workbench |
|---|---|
| Ammo | Wooden Arrow / Stone Arrow / Bone Arrow / HV Arrow / Fire Arrow |
| Magazine | 1 (single-shot) |
| Reload | After every shot (~1.5s nock) |
| Range | Short-to-medium (60-80m max effective) |
| Recoil | None — bow draw, not a firing pattern |
| Acquisition | Default-known. Craft anywhere with 200 wood + 50 cloth + 1 rope. |
| Stealth | Silent — no sound to alert nearby players |
| Best for | Wipe day, hunting animals, stealth ambush |
The Hunting Bow is the first ranged weapon every Rust player crafts. Default-known, no workbench needed, requires only basic wood and cloth. It's silent — perfect for hunting animals or stalking unsuspecting players without alerting the rest of the server. Damage is solid for early wipe but quickly outclassed once anyone has a Revolver. Most players replace it within the first 30-60 minutes of a wipe.
Pro tips
- Use Wooden Arrows for hunting — cheapest, plentiful from any tree.
- Bone Arrows are best damage per arrow — craft with bone fragments from animal corpses.
- HV Arrows for distance — flatter trajectory, less drop at 50m+.
- Hold left-click to fully draw — partial-draw shots do reduced damage.
- Headshots double damage — aim for the head on naked targets for 1-shot potential.
Frequently asked questions
How do you craft a bow in Rust?
The Hunting Bow is default-known by every player — no blueprint research required. Craft anywhere with 200 wood, 50 cloth and 1 rope. Total time ~10 seconds.
Is the Hunting Bow silent?
Yes. Bows make virtually no sound when fired — only the arrow's flight noise, which is minimal. Best stealth weapon in the early game for ambushing players or hunting animals without alerting others.
What's better — Hunting Bow or Compound Bow?
Compound Bow is strictly better once you can craft it (T1 workbench). Faster draw, more damage, longer range. The Hunting Bow is your starter — replace it the moment you hit T1.
How much damage does a Hunting Bow do?
Approximately 35 base damage with a Wooden Arrow at full draw. Bone Arrows do slightly more (~45). Headshot multiplier roughly 2x. Damage drops with distance and partial-draw shots.
Can I use the Hunting Bow for raiding?
No — the bow doesn't damage stone or metal structures. Only useful against soft targets (players, animals, wood doors at point blank). Use a Rocket Launcher or explosives for raiding.