When I choose a monster and there is no number or it says they are calm or passive and it turns out there are three others going for the same monster. Sometimes there is a high lvl mage who gets mad and sends a raith after me. I'm not trying to steal their prize, I just didn't know. Is there a way to tell before I choose?

ltlrdftnghd

There is a yellow ! mark next to the monster when a monster is in battle.
If this is not there and you attack and you find that other people are in the battle its because their connection is faster than yours.

its is game etiquette to PRV the people that are already in the battle and say "Sorry, Blocking". But this is not a game rule, just a polite thing to do.

Wow so since I am cursed with a slow connection I am to be branded as a theif?

   TheShadowOne wrote(а):

its is game etiquette to PRV the people that are already in the battle and say "Sorry, Blocking"

But it does not mean you actually have to block - just lie, no one will prove you wrong

Fairy Tale

Please note comment But this is not a game rule, just a polite thing to do.

Feltercarb

no just apologize and block. listening to fairy tale sweetcheeks up there will definitely get you branded as a thief.

when you enter the hunting screen monsters are not yet moving due to a delay in the server update ... just wait the 2-4 sec until they move and immediately click a monster that has no i on it and you should be getting your own.
Only exception: someone else did exactly the same as you

good luck