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Eat any non-canned food who's condition is below 65%. At the beginning of the game, explore as much of the map as you can.Don't carry firewood or water from place to place, leave it at the closest shelter, you can always get more.If food is a problem, don't become overencumbered, you will burn calories faster when you move while overencumbered.When you leave a map, move all your loot to near the map entrance so you can run back and grab it if necessary.Prioritize food lowest unless you're really hurting. You can leave other stuff like water and wood and skins and stuff at your main base. Occasionally switch bases and take ALL your meat with you, and the things you need even if you have to make several trips. Have one main base and 2-4 temporary bases on each map.

Don't make outdoor fires unless you are very comfortable with the mechnics. Outdoor fires burn wood a little more efficiently but the wind sometimes changes directon and blows the fire out, usually at the worst possible time. As a beginner Indoor fires are preferable (with the exception of pot belly stoves) to outdoor fires.If you are cold and go inside, sleep for 1 hour rather than use a fire to warm up.Avoid wind and always approach animals that are upwind from you, they are less likely to detect you and/or flee. Keep mind of this direction as you move outside. That will tell you what direction the wind is blowing. When you exit a building go around all 4 sides of the building and check the wind temperature on each side.

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