Harvesting

Harvesting is a mechanic in The Long Dark that involves the breaking down of objects into usable Materials.

Overview

Harvesting often involves destroying interactable environmental objects, but can also involve breaking down excess Tools or Clothing. First Aid, Fire Starting, and Food And Drink items cannot be Harvested.

The most common Materials gained from Harvesting are Cloth, Cured Leather, Scrap Metal, Sticks, and Tinder Plugs. You can harvest any wood, cardboard, or cloth item in the environment by selecting it, choosing your tool, and selecting "Break Down." Some items require tools to break down, and cannot be broken down with your bare hands. Containers cannot be harvested. Environment Objects that require a tool to harvest will give an error message if clicked on, such as "REQUIRES A HACKSAW TO BREAK DOWN" or "REQUIRES A TOOL TO BREAK DOWN", however some objects can be harvested by hand.

Harvesting by hand can be performed in darkness, but Harvesting with the use of any kind of Tool requires light, otherwise the message "REQUIRES LIGHT TO BREAK DOWN WITH TOOL" will be displayed. This can be daylight from dawn (6:00 AM) through 8:30 PM both indoors and outdoors, the light provided during Auroras, natural starlight in case of clear Weather at an outdoor location, or light from a lit fire or other source like a Storm Lantern. Note that fires only provide light in a few meters radius, beyond which it will be considered dark.

Very rarely, some objects can be broken down to yield paths to hidden locations/items. Crates often have a chance to contain usable items inside, while Scrub Brush in some regions block certain pathways.

Harvestable Environmental Objects:

Objects that yield Cloth

These items can be broken by Hand, but using a tool saves harvesting times at the expense of Tool Condition. Some objects require one of these Tools to break down:

Object	Variant	Yield	Time	Tool Required
Cloth (Object)	Blanket	3 x Cloth	9-15 min	Hand, Scrap Metal Shard, Hunting Knife, Improvised Knife
Cloth (Object)	Scarf	1 x Cloth	4-6 min	Hand, Scrap Metal Shard, Hunting Knife, Improvised Knife
Cloth (Object)	Bedsheet	5 x Cloth	18-30 min	Hand, Scrap Metal Shard, Hunting Knife, Improvised Knife
Cloth (Object)	Tarp	4 x Cloth	14-24 min	Hand, Scrap Metal Shard, Hunting Knife, Improvised Knife
Cloth (Object)	Large Tarp	5 x Cloth	18-30 min	Hand, Scrap Metal Shard, Hunting Knife, Improvised Knife
Curtain	Curtain	2 x Cloth	6-10 min	Hand, Scrap Metal Shard, Hunting Knife, Improvised Knife
Curtain	Bed Curtain	3 x Cloth	9-15 min	Hand, Scrap Metal Shard, Hunting Knife, Improvised Knife
Old Bedroll		6 x Cloth	27 min	Scrap Metal Shard, Hunting Knife, Improvised Knife
Pillow		2 x Cloth	9-11 min	Scrap Metal Shard, Hunting Knife, Improvised Knife
Towel		2 x Cloth	6-10 min	Hand, Scrap Metal Shard, Hunting Knife, Improvised Knife

Objects that yield Scrap Metal

These items can ONLY be broken down with a Hacksaw. Many objects take hours to completely harvest in one session. Some objects have multiple/larger variants that take longer to saw, but provide more Scrap Metal.

Object	Variant	Yield	Time	Tool Required
Broken Metal Control Box	Large Box	2 x Scrap Metal	30 min	Hacksaw
Broken Metal Control Box	Small Box	1 x Scrap Metal	15 min	Hacksaw
Broken Metal Bed Frame		8 x Scrap Metal	3 hours	Hacksaw
Broken Metal Door		2 x Scrap Metal	45 min	Hacksaw
Hand Cart		4 x Scrap Metal	1 hour 30 min	Hacksaw
Metal Chair	Small	4 x Scrap Metal	2 hours 24 min	Hacksaw
Metal Chair	Armrest	6 x Scrap Metal 1 x Cloth	2 hours 36 min	Hacksaw
Metal Chair	Bench	6 x Scrap Metal 2 x Cloth	2 hours 36 min	Hacksaw
Metal Lamp	Small	1 x Scrap Metal	15 min	Hacksaw
Metal Lamp	Large	2 x Scrap Metal	45 min	Hacksaw
Metal Pail		1 Scrap Metal	15 min	Hacksaw
Metal Shelf	Locker	4 x Scrap Metal	90 min	Hacksaw
Metal Shelf	Extra Small	4 x Scrap Metal	90 min	Hacksaw
Metal Shelf	Small	6 x Scrap Metal	135 min	Hacksaw
Metal Shelf	Large	8 x Scrap Metal	180 min	Hacksaw
Metal Shelf	Extra Large	10 x Scrap Metal	210 min	Hacksaw
Metal Table		8 x Scrap Metal	180 min	Hacksaw
Switch Box		2 x Scrap Metal	30 min	Hacksaw
Toaster		1 Scrap Metal	15 min	Hacksaw

Objects that yield Reclaimed Wood

Most of these items CANNOT be broken by Hand, and require a Tool. This list regards objects that predominantly provide Reclaimed Wood when broken down, but sometimes they often contain other items when harvested, and will be categorized via variant for sake of convivence.

Some objects require a Tool to break down:

Object	Variant	Yield	Time	Tool Required
Barrel		2 x Reclaimed Wood 1 x Scrap Metal	15 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Bench	Table	2 x Reclaimed Wood 1 x Scrap Metal	15 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Bench	Couch	5 x Reclaimed Wood 3 x Cloth 1 x Tinder Plug	2 hour 30 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Bench	Chair	6 x Reclaimed Wood	60 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Bench	Small Table	4 x Reclaimed Wood	30 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Broom		1 x Reclaimed Wood	8 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Cabinet Door		1 x Reclaimed Wood	8 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet
Chair	Wooden	4 x Reclaimed Wood	60 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Chair	Cushioned	3 x Reclaimed Wood 2 x Cloth 2 x Tinder Plug	45 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Chair	Sofa Chair	4 x Reclaimed Wood 6 x Cloth 2 x Tinder Plug	90 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Chair	Stool	3 x Reclaimed Wood	30 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Crate	Large	6 x Reclaimed Wood	45-90 min	Hand, Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Crate	Medium/Small	4 Reclaimed Wood	30-60 min	Hand, Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Crate	Small	1 x Reclaimed Wood	8-15 min	Hand, Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Crate	Coal	2 x Reclaimed Wood	8-15 min	Hand, Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Ladder		6 x Reclaimed Wood	78 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet
Paddle		2 x Reclaimed Wood	6 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Pallet		3 x Reclaimed Wood	22-39 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Pallets	Stacked	16 x Reclaimed Wood	2-3 hours	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Pallets	Piled	12 x Reclaimed Wood	1 hour 30 min- 2 hour 15 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Plank		2 x Reclaimed Wood	9-14 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Planks		6 x Reclaimed Wood	30-45 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Shelf	Large Shelf	N/A	N/A	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Shelf	Bookshelf	N/A	N/A	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Shelf	Gun Rack	2 x Reclaimed Wood	15-22 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Shelf	Single Rack	1 x Reclaimed Wood	8-11 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Table	Small	3 x Reclaimed Wood	38-56 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Table	Coffee	4 x Reclaimed Wood	90-N/A min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Table	Nightstand	3 x Reclaimed Wood	38-56 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Table	Dining	6 x Reclaimed Wood 1 x Tinder Plug	1 hour 57 min- 2 hour 15 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Table	Large	6 x Reclaimed Wood	90-N/A min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer
Wheel		6 x Reclaimed Wood	38-56 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Heavy Hammer

Objects that yield Stick

Branches can be broken byHand, but using a tool saves harvesting times at the expense of Tool Condition. Some objects require one of these Tools to break down:

Object	Variant	Yield	Time	Tool Required
Branch		3 x Stick	10 min	Hand, Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet
Scrub Brush	Single	7 x Stick	10-20 min	Hand, Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet
Scrub Brush	Patch	12 x Stick	18 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet

Objects that yield Cedar Firewood

Object	Variant	Yield	Time	Tool Required
Cedar Limb	Small	3 x Cedar Firewood 1 x Tinder Plug	45-90 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Hacksaw
Cedar Limb	Large	5 x Cedar Firewood 1 x Tinder Plug		Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet

Objects that yield Fir Firewood

Object	Yield	Time	Tool Required
Fir Limb	3 x Fir Firewood	45-90 min	Hatchet, Improvised Hatchet, Hacksaw

Objects that yield Tinder Plug

This item can be broken by Hand, but using a tool saves harvesting times at the expense of Tool Condition. Some objects require one of these Tools to break down:

Object	Yield	Time	Tool Required
Cardboard Box	1-3 x Tinder Plug	27 min	Hand, Scrap Metal Shard, Hunting Knife, Improvised Knife

Other

Object	Yield	Time	Tool Required
Can	1 x Recycled Can	6 min	Hand
Basin		Instant	Hand
Industrial Toilet		Instant	Hand
Stored Water		Instant	Hand
Toilet		Instant	Hand

Harvestable Clothing

Clothing can often yield a either Cloth, Cured Leather, or Cured Animal Hides when harvested. All Clothing can be harvested by Hand and require no tools.

Head

Clothing	Yield	Time
Aviator Cap	1 x Cured Leather	10 min
Astrid's Toque	1 x Cloth	10 min
Balaclava	1 x Cloth	10 min
Baseball Cap	1 x Cloth	10 min
Cotton Scarf	1 x Cloth	10 min
Cotton Toque	1 x Cloth	10 min
Fleece Cowl	1 x Cloth	10 min
Hardhat	Cannot Harvest	N/A
Improvised Head Wrap	1 x Cloth	10 min
Long Wool Scarf	1 x Cloth	10 min
Mackenzie's Toque	1 x Cloth	10 min
Rabbitskin Hat	1 x Cured Rabbit Pelt	10 min
Technical Balaclava	1 x Cloth	10 min
Wool Scarf	1 x Cloth	10 min
Wool Toque	1 x Cloth	10 min

Hands

Clothing	Yield	Time
Astrid's Gloves	1 x Cloth	10 min
Driving Gloves	1 x Cured Leather	10 min
Fleece Mittens	1 x Cloth	10 min
Gauntlets	1 x Cured Leather	10 min
Improvised Hand Wraps	1 x Cloth	10 min
Rabbitskin Mitts	1 x Cured Rabbit Pelt	10 min
Ski Gloves	1 x Cloth	10 min
Wool Mittens	1 x Cloth	10 min
Work Gloves	1 x Cured Leather	10 min

Torso

Inner

Clothing	Yield	Time
Astrid's Sweater	1 x Cloth	10 min
Cowichan Sweater	1 x Cloth	45 min
Dress Shirt	1 x Cloth	10 min
Fisherman's Sweater	1 x Cloth	45 min
Hockey Jersey	1 x Cloth	30 min
Hoodie	1 x Cloth	45 min
Mackenzie's Shirt	1 x Cloth	10 min
Mackenzie's Sweater	1 x Cloth	10 min
Plaid Shirt	1 x Cloth	10 min
Sweatshirt	1 x Cloth	10 min
Thick Wool Sweater	1 x Cloth	45 min
Thin Wool Sweater	1 x Cloth	30 min
T-Shirt	1 x Cloth	10 min
Wool Shirt	1 x Cloth	10 min

Outer

Clothing	Yield	Time
Astrid's Jacket	2 x Cloth	20 min
Bearskin Coat	1 × Cured Black Bear Hide	120 min
Down Vest	2 x Cloth	20 min
Expedition Parka	2 x Cloth	20 min
Flight Jacket	3 x Cured Leather	30 min
Light Shell	2 x Cloth	40 min
Mackenzie's Parka	2 x Cloth	20 min
Mackinaw Jacket	2 x Cloth	20 min
Mariner's Pea Coat	2 x Cloth	90 min
Military Coat	2 x Cloth	20 min
Miner's Jacket	2 x Cloth	60 min
Moose-Hide Cloak	1 × Cured Moose Hide	120 minutes
Old Fashioned Parka	2 x Cloth	20 min
Simple Parka	2 x Cloth	20 min
Ski Jacket	2 x Cloth	90 min
Sport Vest	1 x Cloth	20 min
Urban Parka	3 x Cloth	20 min
Windbreaker	2 x Cloth	20 min
Wolfskin Coat	1 × Cured Wolf Pelt	90 minutes

Legs

Inner

	Clothing	Yield	Time
	Thermal Underwear	1 x Cloth	20 min
	Wool Longjohns	1 x Cloth	20 min

Outer

Clothing	Yield	Time
Astrid's Jeans	1 x Cloth	30 min
Cargo Pants	1 x Cloth	30 min
Combat Pants	1 x Cloth	30 min
Deerskin Pants	1 × Cured Deer Hide	30 min
Jeans	1 x Cloth	30 min
Mackenzie's Pants	1 x Cloth	30 min
Miner's Pants	1 x Cloth	30 min
Snow Pants	1 x Cloth	30 min
Work Pants	1 x Cloth	30 min

Feet

Inner

Clothing	Yield	Time
Climbing Socks	1 x Cloth	20 min
Sports Socks	1 x Cloth	10 min
Wool Socks	1 x Cloth	20 min

Outer

Clothing	Yield	Time
Astrid's Boots	1 x Cured Leather	90 min
Chemical Boots	Cannot Harvest	N/A
Combat Boots	1 × Cured Leather	90 min
Deerskin Boots	1 × Cured Deer Hide	110 min
Insulated Boots	1 x Cured Leather	90 min
Leather Shoes	2 × Cured Leather	75 min
Mackenzie's Boots	1 x Cured Leather	90 min
Mountaineering Boots	2 × Cured Leather	90 min
Mukluks	2 × Cured Leather	90 min
Running Shoes	2 × Cured Leather	75 min
Ski Boots	1 x Cured Leather	90 min
Trail Boots	1 x Cured Leather	90 min
Work Boots	2 × Cured Leather	90 min

Accessories

Clothing	Yield	Time
Ballistic Vest	Cannot Harvest	N/A
Crampons	Cannot Harvest	N/A
Foreman's Tool Belt	2 x Cured Leather	30 min
Improvised Crampons	Cannot Harvest	N/A
Improvised Insulation	2 × Cloth 3 x Ptarmigan Down	20 min
Moose-Hide Satchel	1 x Cured Leather	10 min
Security Chief's Rifle Holster	4 x Cured Leather	30 min
Wool Ear Wrap	1 x Cloth	10 min

Harvestable Tools

There are multiple Tools available in The Long Dark, however only the tools below can be harvested.

Hand Tools

	Yield	Time
Hacksaw	2 × Scrap Metal	1 hour
Hatchet	2 x Scrap Metal 1 x Fir Wood	1 hour
Hunting Knife	1 x Scrap Metal	45 min
Improvised Hatchet	2 x Scrap Metal	1 hour
Improvised Knife	1 x Scrap Metal	45 min
Heavy Hammer	2 x Scrap Metal 1 x Fir Wood	30 min
Prybar	2 x Scrap Metal	30 min
Simple Tools	3 x Scrap Metal	1 hour
Quality Tools	3 x Scrap Metal	1 hour

Firearms

	Yield	Time
Hunting Rifle	2 x Scrap Metal	1 hour
Barb's Rifle	2 x Scrap Metal	1 hour
Curator's Rifle	2 x Scrap Metal	1 hour
Vaughn's Rifle	2 x Scrap Metal	1 hour

Campcraft/Cooking

	Yield	Time
Bedroll	10 x Cloth	90 min
Bear Skin Bedroll	1 x Cloth 1 x Cured Black Bear Hide	90 min
Improvised Down Bedroll	10 x Cloth 5 x Ptarmigan Down	90 min
Can Opener	1 x Scrap Metal	15 min
Cooking Pot	1 x Scrap Metal	90 min
Cooking Skillet	1 x Scrap Metal	90 min

Lighting Tools

	Yield	Time
Torch	1 x Stick	2 min
Flashlight	1 x Scrap Metal	1 hour
Miner's Flashlight	1 x Scrap Metal	1 hour
Storm Lantern	1 x Scrap Metal 0.01-1.00kg Lantern Fuel	1 hour
Spelunker's Lantern	1 x Scrap Metal 0.01-1.00kg Lantern Fuel	1 hour

Other

	Yield	Time
Car Battery	6 x Scrap Lead	30 Minutes with a Hacksaw
Fishing Tip-Up	1 x Scrap Metal 1 x Stick	10 min
Snare	1 x Reclaimed Wood	10 min
Simple Arrow	2 x Crow Feather 1 x Arrowhead	5 min
Broken Arrow	2 x Crow Feather 1 x Arrowhead	5 min
Fire Hardened Arrow	1 x Crow Feather	5 min
Broken Fire Hardened Arrow	1 x Crow Feather	5 min
Rifle Ammunition<ref name=":0">There is a chance to recover components, but it depends on Gunsmithing level</ref>	1 Bullet 1 Rifle Shell Casing 0.01kg Can of Gunpowder	5 min
Revolver Ammunition<ref name=":0" />	1 Bullet 1 Revolver Shell Casing 0.01kg Can of Gunpowder	5 min

Carcass Harvesting

Carcass Harvesting is a Survival Skill that is used to harvest meat, animal fat, hides, and guts from Wildlife. There are 9 types of harvestable animals in The Long Dark, and apart from Rabbit and Ptarmigan, all animals can only be harvested at the location of the carcass, unless that animal has been quartered. Higher levels in the carcass harvesting skill reduce the amount of time required to harvest and increase the amount that can be harvested by hand from a frozen carcass. The following Tools affect Carcass Harvesting:

Tool		Harvest rate (minutes per kg)		Harvest rate (minutes per unit)		Tool decay (per hour)
Tool		Meat	Frozen Meat	Hide	Gut	Tool decay (per hour)
	Bare Hand	30.0	N/A	40.0	40.0	None
	Hacksaw	15.0	10.0	60.0	30.0	1.0%
	Hatchet	15.0	10.0	45.0	20.0	1.0%
	Hunting Knife	8.0	20.0	30.0	10.0	1.0%
	Improvised Hatchet	20.0	15.0	60.0	30.0	1.5%
	Improvised Knife	12.0	30.0	40.0	15.0	1.5%
	Cougar Claw Knife	7.0	18.0	30.0	10.0	1.0%
	Survival Knife	8.0	10.0	30.0	10.0	0.5%
	Scrap Metal Shard	8.0	20.0	30.0	10.0	1.0%

Carcass Types

Animal Carcass	Minimum Weight	Maximum Weight	Hide/Pelt/Other	Fresh Guts
Black Bear Carcass	25.00 kg ({{#expr: (25.00*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Bear Meat (Raw){{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}	40.00 kg ({{#expr: (40.00*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Bear Meat (Raw){{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}	1 x Fresh Black Bear Hide	10 x Fresh Gut{{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}
Cougar Carcass	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Deer Carcass	6.00 kg ({{#expr: (6.00*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Venison (Raw){{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}	11.00 kg ({{#expr: (11.00*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Venison (Raw){{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}	1 x Fresh Deer Hide	2 x Fresh Gut{{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}
Moose Carcass	32.00 kg ({{#expr: (32.00*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Moose Meat (Raw){{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}	45.00 kg ({{#expr: (45.00*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Moose Meat (Raw){{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}	1 x Fresh Moose Hide	12 x Fresh Gut{{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}
Poisoned Wolf Carcass	0 kg ({{#expr: (0*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Wolf Meat (Raw)	0 kg ({{#expr: (0*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Wolf Meat (Raw)	1 x Fresh Wolf Pelt	2 x Fresh Gut{{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}
Ptarmigan Carcass	0.60 kg ({{#expr: (0.60*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Ptarmigan (Raw){{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}	1.20 kg ({{#expr: (1.20*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Ptarmigan (Raw){{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}	4 x Ptarmigan Down{{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}	None
Rabbit Carcass	0.80 kg ({{#expr: (0.80*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Rabbit (Raw)	1.50 kg ({{#expr: (1.50*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Rabbit (Raw)	1 x Fresh Rabbit Pelt	1 x Fresh Gut{{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}
Timberwolf Carcass	4.00 kg ({{#expr: (4.00*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Wolf Meat (Raw)	7.00 kg ({{#expr: (7.00*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Wolf Meat (Raw)	1 x Fresh Wolf Pelt	2 x Fresh Gut{{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}
Wolf Carcass	3.00 kg ({{#expr: (3.00*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Wolf Meat (Raw)	6.00 kg ({{#expr: (6.00*2.2) round 3}} lb)}} Wolf Meat (Raw)	1 x Fresh Wolf Pelt	2 x Fresh Gut{{#if:\|}}{{#if:\|}}

Game History

Harvesting of stationary objects in larger scale has been introduced on August 1, 2015 in version 0.256.