For lower levels, it depends on the hunt. If you can to run around avoiding contact, use bow/crossbow, otherwise use star + shield.
As a paladin myself, I usually use stars+shield for running around, and hardly ever use them to hunt. For instance, when I'm checking bosses, or running to a hunting ground and don't plan to clear the way, I use star and shield to avoid wasting imbuement time, and not to get much damage through the way.