All too often, I see a hunter retreating with nearly full health while the animal that attacked him is nearly dead. There needs to be a better algorithm for deciding risk of combat and allow hunters, fighters, and villagers all to decide if they think they can overcome an animal or should run. This needs to evaluate their current clothing, armor and weapons in making this determination as well.
The retreat is something that should not be forced to continue all the way to his destination either, but to allow the character to reevaluate the threat every step (or every five steps) along the way in case another hunter or guard tower takes out the threat. This way people aren’t running all the way across the map to their homes for no reason.