What is the best way to gather deer hides for workbench upgrades?

Gathering deer hides is essential for upgrading your workbench in Valheim, as they are required to craft the tanning rack, a key component for workbench improvements. Deer hides are obtained by hunting deer, which are commonly found in the Meadows biome, the starting area of the game. To efficiently gather deer hides, you’ll need to understand deer behavior, equip the right tools, and use effective hunting strategies.\n\nFirst, you’ll need a weapon to hunt deer. The most beginner-friendly option is the crude bow, which can be crafted using 10 wood and 8 leather scraps. Leather scraps are obtained by hunting boars, another common creature in the Meadows. Once you have a bow, craft arrows using wood and feathers, which can be found on the ground near trees or by killing birds. A bow allows you to hunt deer from a distance, minimizing the risk of scaring them away.\n\nDeer are skittish creatures that will flee if they detect you. To avoid alerting them, crouch by pressing the left Ctrl key to reduce your noise level. This allows you to get closer without being noticed. Approach deer from behind or the sides, as they are less likely to detect you from these angles. Once you’re within range, aim carefully and shoot. A single well-placed arrow is usually enough to take down a deer, but if it runs, follow its trail and finish it off with another shot.\n\nIf you’re struggling to find deer, explore the Meadows biome thoroughly. Deer tend to spawn in open areas, often near forests or water sources. Look for their distinct brown and white coloration against the green grass. If you’re having trouble spotting them, listen for their distinctive calls, which can help you locate them even if they’re hidden behind trees or hills.\n\nFor experienced players, hunting deer can be made easier with upgraded gear. For example, the finewood bow, crafted using fine wood and core wood, has better range and damage than the crude bow. Fine wood is obtained by cutting down birch or oak trees, which require a bronze axe or better. Core wood comes from pine trees in the Black Forest biome. Upgrading your bow will make hunting faster and more efficient, especially if you’re gathering hides in bulk.\n\nAnother tip is to hunt deer during the day, as they are more active and easier to spot. At night, visibility is reduced, and hostile creatures like greylings and skeletons may interfere with your hunt. If you’re playing with friends, coordinate your efforts to corner deer and increase your chances of success. One player can distract the deer while another takes the shot.\n\nOnce you’ve killed a deer, approach its body and press E to loot it. Each deer drops one deer hide and two raw meat. The meat can be cooked for food, while the hide is used for crafting. To craft the tanning rack, you’ll need 10 wood, 15 flint, 20 leather scraps, and 5 deer hides. Flint can be found along riverbanks and shorelines in the Meadows biome. The tanning rack is essential for upgrading your workbench to level 2, which unlocks new crafting recipes and improvements.\n\nIn summary, the best way to gather deer hides is to equip a bow, crouch to avoid detection, and hunt deer in the Meadows biome during the day. Upgrade your gear as you progress to make hunting more efficient, and consider teaming up with other players for better results. With patience and practice, you’ll have enough deer hides to upgrade your workbench and continue your Viking adventure.