Give Your Dog Orders With the Command Wheel
Bring your hunting dog along and use the command wheel to give it orders in the field. Your companion can help you spot tracks, follow an animal's trail and retrieve small game.
Find the Kennel Through the Lodge Garage
- Complete or skip the tutorial to continue to the hub helicopter.
- Use the helicopter in the hub and select Colorado to reach the lodge area.
- Enter the hunting lodge on your right to reach its preparation areas.
- Go through the garage door to reach the kennel, where you access dog-related contents.
Make your first outing a practice session with your companion. Focus on giving an order and following a trail before adding other hunting goals. That keeps your attention on what the dog is doing and where you want to go next.
Dog Breeds and Bonus Companions
| Companion | Availability |
|---|---|
| American Foxhound | Added for the full release and included in the Classic American Hunter Pack. |
| Coonhound | Added as a companion breed for the full release. |
| Yellow-coated Labrador | Offered as a MyNacon account creation bonus. |
The full game released on October 29, 2026, with American Foxhound and Coonhound additions. The earlier Steam Next Fest demo offered a Retriever or Hound for wildlife tracking. Keep that earlier demo selection separate from the companions added for launch.
Use Your Dog Without Losing the Trail
- Hold the inspect input on an animal track to follow that specific animal.
- Use the dog's command wheel when you need help finding tracks or following the trail.
- Stay with the selected trail instead of immediately switching targets, keeping your tracking practice focused.
- Check the wind direction on your GPS to avoid approaching with your scent blowing toward the animal.
- Identify the animal through your binoculars before taking aim so you know which target you are approaching.
Your dog helps with tracking, while your own approach still matters. Watch your visibility, noise and scent as you close in on wildlife. Use the companion's assistance alongside careful observation rather than rushing as soon as you have a trail.
Retrieve Small Game and Find Wounded Animals
Your companion can help find wounded animals as well as retrieve small game. Decide which kind of assistance you need before issuing an order. Keeping recovery separate from the next hunt makes it easier to stay focused on the animal you were pursuing.
- Use the command wheel to direct your dog when you need help retrieving small game.
Keep Track of Your Companion
The full release added tracking GPS and collars for dogs. It also improved baying and trailing, making companion barks audible from farther away. Listen for your dog as you follow a trail, especially when you are concentrating on clues on the ground.
Make Difficult Tracks Easier to Follow
If you struggle to see tracks and clues, adjust their visibility through the difficulty settings. Try following a nearby trail with your dog before attempting a longer pursuit. Give yourself time to understand the clues instead of changing targets whenever you lose your bearings.
Dog Training
- Does the hunting dog have a skill tree?
- There is no traditional skill tree for the hunting dog. Your companion improves the more you take it out. Make regular outings a chance to practice commands and learn how its tracking assistance fits your hunting style.