Missing animals and wrong need-zone times

Update 1.4 reduces the excessive droppings and footprint points for Rocky Mountain Mule Deer in a specific part of the Wetiko Foothills, New Laurentia. So older notes on sign density there may no longer hold. The update doesn't list need-zone time changes.

Update 1.3 fixes some animals surviving multiple shots, fleeing Nile crocodiles circling the player, spooked hippos getting stuck underwater and killed hippos ending beneath the map. It also fixes several New Laurentia stuck spots and bridge collisions. This does not identify every affected spot, provide new need-zone times or establish a guaranteed encounter route.

The May 27 notes for 0.2.0.195528 identify a mismatch: the Greater Kudu drinking window ended at 01:00, while the Hunting Map displayed 00:00. The June 4 patch, 0.2.1.196689, then reports a fix for incorrect Greater Kudu drinking times on the map.

If an older guide tells you to add an hour to the displayed time, check its build before applying that advice. The June fix does not publish a full timetable, so this page does not give a current start time or tell you to override every map label.

Update 0.3.0.199567 reports denser Mallard territories and living zones closer together, alongside changes to calling, decoying and the senses used around blinds. It also fixes birds flying toward the map edge while trying to reach a need zone.

Treat a marker copied from an earlier map as a scouting lead. Compare it with the signs and zone information in your own save before choosing where to wait. The patch supplies no fixed coordinates, calling radius or guaranteed arrival time.

Update 0.4.0.206314 lists three relevant fixes: signs sometimes failed to generate on certain terrain, big-game resting signs looked corrupted in Kilimaya, and some blood-trail decals displayed incorrectly. These defects can explain differences between older screenshots and later builds.

If a trail still looks broken, note the build, reserve and exact location. For a wounded animal, the dog guide below covers Track Blood and its separate multiplayer fix. The patch notes do not establish that every missing trail is the same bug.

Placing placeable gear creates noise that animals react to, according to 0.3.0.199567. Set up the decoys or blind you plan to use before waiting for an animal to approach. This is a practical planning suggestion; the notes give no universal setup distance.

Update 0.4.0.206314 reports that the WildHeart Front Cover blind correctly reduces visibility, noise and scent after a fix. Those notes do not give a concealment percentage or establish complete protection from detection.

These are checks to narrow the problem, not a tested spawn cycle. A complete species-by-species schedule, current zone coordinates and repeatable arrival conditions still need field evidence.

1. Confirm the target species is documented in your chosen reserve.
2. Compare your current Hunting Map with the date and build behind any external map or timetable.

   Checked on screen · Oct 14, 2026

   19:58–20:23 · 25 sA discovered need zone on the in-game Hunting Map, with its time card

   19:58–20:23A discovered need zone on the in-game Hunting Map, with its time card
3. Look for the zone information and animal signs your own save provides; note the in-game time.

   Checked on screen · Oct 14, 2026

   kingy.wiki19:21–19:46 · 25 sNeed-zone cards found in the field, each with its active times

   19:21–19:46Need-zone cards found in the field, each with its active times
4. Check the relevant patch note if the time label or sign display matches a known historical problem.