How to hunt Monster Hunter Stories 2 beasts in real life - A pro hunter's guide

Professionally trained hunters from the UK, US and across the world have no doubt come across some pretty dangerous animals in their time - but we doubt that they'll have seen or hunted anything quite like a ferocious dragon or prehistoric beast.

After the recent release of Capcom's new adventure RPG Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, which has been praised by critics and gamers alike, we thought to ourselves 'what would happen if some of these beasts made their way into our world, and how would we be able to take them on?'

Fortunately for us, because we had no idea and would probably be eaten or squashed, Peter Jones of the Capreolus Club was on hand to talk us through his tactics on how to tackle some of the game's deadly creatures if he were to come across them on a hunt in real life. Although he doesn't have a Gunlance, Bow or Great Sword to hand, Peter anaylzed a number of the large monsters found in the game and used his expertise and knowledge of realistic hunting weapons to tell us how he'd bring them down.

Firstly, could you tell us a bit more about yourself (position/role at the club) , the club itself, as well as your experience as an expert hunter?

Peter: "Thanks for the opportunity to participate in this, as a professional large game hunter I have never hunted a Barioth, Gammoth or any of the other beasts in Monster Hunter 2, and I hope I never have too!

"Nonetheless, I hope that my experience as a Professional Hunter will give an insight into how a professional hunter might approach these insane beasts!

"Firstly, there is a serious side, deer hunters and large game hunters can sometimes get a bad press, which is a great shame, because hunting is an environmental must and many of those involved, like myself, are lifelong environmentalists, who have committed themselves to the betterment of wild animals. And this is what the two organisations that I work for – Capreolus Club and the Hunting Academy are all about.

"They are about people getting engaged in sustainability, the betterment of species and improving and enhancing biodiversity. They are also about carefully harvesting sustainable, wild, free-range animals for food, without the need to rely on intensively farmed meat or animal agriculture.

"Next time, you are tucking into your Rump steak or leg of Lamb, just think to yourself? Wouldn’t this meat be tastier if I had hunted it myself! The Capreolus Club is a great way to get involved and a great place to start is through the Hunting Academy, through which, via an e-learning platform, you can take the first step in becoming a trained large game hunter! Take a look here if you’d like to get involved."

How did you get into hunting as a profession?

Peter: "Having grown up on a farm I have hunted my whole life, and with a background specialising in firearms as a police officer, I got a unique insight into various weapons. On the way, I also managed to pick up a commendation for bravery… but I don't like to talk about that!

"Over the years, I have managed large animals all over the world and these days also advise zoos on how to manage escaped dangerous animals. Hopefully, this background will put me in good stead when approaching some of the following Monsters!"

Have you heard of the Monster Hunter franchise before, or will this all be very new to you?

Peter: "I have to say, this is pretty new to me, but now that I have found it, there will probably be no going back!"