Hunting Yaga is a late‑game side quest in Castor Woods that starts from the Abandoned House Safe Zone in the National Park District. Max sets you after a special infected called the Yaga and promises “Lizzy,” his hunting crossbow, if you bring it down. The catch: the hunt begins at night.

Hunting Yaga requirements and where to start

The quest becomes available from the Abandoned House Safe Zone in the National Park. Speak to Max to accept the job. The first objective takes place only at night, so be ready for Volatiles and keep noise to a minimum. The ultimate reward for finishing the chain is Max’s hunting crossbow.

Investigate the crash site at night

Head into the forest toward a wrecked car on higher ground. Expect a Volatile patrolling nearby with groups of virals clustered around the area. Use tall grass and line‑of‑sight breaks to approach quietly.

  • Silently eliminate the two infected at the wreck to secure the scene.
  • Search the dead soldier at the crash site to trigger a footprint trail.
Tip: If a Volatile is close, wait in cover rather than sprinting past; detection will snowball into a chase here.

Track and kill the Yaga, then loot the trophy

  • Activate Survivor Sense to reveal the Yaga’s footprints. The trail snakes around hostile groups, then winds downhill.
  • The Yaga will likely notice you at range, but this isn’t a Chimera‑scale boss encounter—finish it quickly and watch the flanks for biters drawn by the commotion.
  • After the Yaga goes down, loot the body to collect the Yaga’s Trophy quest item.

Make it daytime, then head to Max’s hut

Max directs you to a hut near the electrical substation. You can now sleep at a Safe Zone or watchtower to switch to daytime and remove Volatiles from the equation.

  • At the hut, Baron's soldiers have taken over. Clear them out—firearms are effective, but expect return fire from assault rifles that can shred your health bar if you trade in the open.
  • When the yard is secure, move the metal plating at the back of the hut, break the window, and climb inside to find a wounded Max. He explains the Yaga was created under orders from the Baron’s men and a collaborating scientist, and asks you to settle the score.

Follow the vehicle trail to the scientist’s hideout

Outside the hut, inspect and follow the vehicle tracks used by the scientist’s team. The trail leads to an abandoned cabin set in the river below the hillside.

  • The cabin is guarded by armed militia. Prioritize the rooftop sniper before pushing up; they can end runs quickly.
  • Once the area is clear, enter via the upper balcony door to confront the scientist.

Key steps at a glance

Objective Where What to watch for
Investigate at night Forest crash site (upper slope) Volatile patrols, clustered virals; use stealth to reach the wreck
Track the Yaga Footprints via Survivor Sense Trail skirts enemy packs; avoid noise, follow downhill
Kill and loot Yaga encounter area Finish fast; grab the Yaga’s Trophy from the corpse
Rescue Max Hut near the electrical substation Daytime optional; Baron's soldiers with rifles; enter through back window
Confront the scientist Cabin in the river below the hillside Eliminate rooftop sniper; clear militia; use upper balcony door

Rewards and why the timing matters

Completing the chain grants Max’s hunting crossbow at the end of the mission, turning the errand into one of the most valuable late‑game detours. The first leg must be done at night, where gunfire can attract Volatiles; after you secure the Yaga’s Trophy, shifting to daytime for the human firefights makes the rest of the quest far more manageable.

Handled in this order—silent night hunt, daylight cleanup, then a targeted push on the river cabin—Hunting Yaga is short, tough, and decisive, with a standout weapon waiting on the other side.