Bounty hunter

This article is about bounty hunting, a profession. You may be looking for the video game Bounty Hunter, or the Star Wars Miniatures set Bounty Hunters (Star Wars Miniatures).

"Bounty hunters. We don't need their scum."

―Admiral Firmus Piett^[src]

Bounty hunters were hireable mercenaries who tracked down and captured or killed anyone with a price on their head, although they were also known for doing nearly anything for the right price including the protection of clients. The best bounty hunters were very well armed and even more dangerous. There were, however, plenty of incompetent specimens throughout the galaxy, lacking any real skill but wishing to get rich quick or simply seeking adventure.

Bounty hunters usually worked alone, although they sometimes did form partnerships. Partnering with a bounty hunter could be very dangerous business, though, as they typically valued their personal gain—and survival—above that of their companions.

There were strong rivalries between bounty hunters and smugglers, most commonly seen between Boba Fett and Han Solo, respectively.

Organization

The Guilds

There were a number of guilds associated with bounty hunters, the largest and best-known being the Bounty Hunters Guild. However, it was often plagued with infighting and a general lack of cooperation between its members, climaxing with its virtual self-destruction during the Bounty Hunter Wars. There were other organizations, such as the House of Benelex, Qulok's Fist, the GenoHaradan, and the Granse Confederacy, that served the same purpose.

Most bounties were presented to a guild, unless the presenter was able to contact the hunters directly. Posted bounties would then be sent to hunters affiliated with the guild and the hunt would be on. With the exception of powerful beings like Jabba the Hutt, Prince Xizor, Darth Vader, or intermediaries like Kud'ar Mub'at, most beings contracted hunters in this manner.

During the Jedi Civil War it was possible to merely walk into a bounty office and browse current bounties, as Revan did during his stay on Taris.

Permits

During the Imperial Era the Empire issued Imperial Peace Keeping Certificate to bounty hunters. In some cases, bounty hunters were required to lodge a B23-1-14 permit in order to collect the maximum possible bounty.

Stance

Defel bounty hunter G6 — A Defel bounty hunter.

"What's the best way to find another bounty hunter?"
"Think like him?"
"No. You hire him."

―Boba Fett and Mirta Gev^[src]

Bounty hunters were almost always mistrusted and feared by locals around the galaxy. This was because their line of work was so often dangerous, backstabbing and frightening. Many famous hunters earned reputations as fearsome as the most horrific Sith Lords and criminals. Hunters such as Calo Nord and Jango Fett became household names, though neither reached the unparalleled infamy of Boba Fett. However, there were occasional counter-examples to this viewpoint. Bounty hunters who followed government regulations and targeted dangerous criminals were often seen as on the side of law enforcement. On Haruun Kal, many Balawai children revered bounty hunters as larger than life figures.

Generally, bounty hunters remained neutral during times of galactic conflict. They were known to favor one side or another, although never officially joining any one group. For example, the aforementioned Calo Nord and Jango Fett worked with the Sith during the Jedi Civil War and prior to the Clone Wars, respectively. Boba Fett often worked for the Empire and even had a professional relationship of mutual respect with Darth Vader. The Rebel Alliance rarely dealt with bounty hunters, lacking the credits and finding the hunters' methods contradictory to their ideals.

Most often, however, bounty hunters were hired by individuals—particularly criminals. The Exchange, Black Sun, the Zann Consortium, and Jabba the Hutt were particularly fond of using them, both for their effectiveness and their availability.