Red Dead Redemption 2: Wild animals - how to hunt? Red Dead Redemption 2 Guide and Walkthrough
This page of the Red Dead Redemption 2 guide is a collection of tips regarding wild animal hunting. From the information supplied here, you'll learn where to find different species, how to prepare for a hunt, and how to track game.
Last update: 23 September 2022
One of the many activities available in Red Dead Redemption 2 is hunting. You can hunt for fun or to gain resources for the gang. The meat and leather you acquire can also give you a lot of money - which is very useful during the first few hours of the game. Once you've learned how to hunt, you can proceed to hunt for legendary animals. These, however, are described in detail on dedicated pages of our guide.
On this page we have provided information to help you hunt in RDR2. Thanks to this guide you will learn how to track animals, how to prepare for the hunt, and how to find the specimens you are interested in.
Where to find the designated species?
By exploring the world in RDR2 you'll uncover a huge map. Your hero will be filling it in real time. If, for example, while performing a mission, you come across some animals, they will be marked on the map from now on. Before going hunting, open the map and choose the animals you are interested in.
How to prepare for the hunt?
Remember to take your best weapon for hunting. This, of course, depends on the animal you are going to hunt. For big game, such as a bison or a bear, it's best to take a shotgun or a rifle. For roe deer and deer, however, take a bow instead. One precise shot to the head of kill the animal without destroying its skin.
How to track down the animals?
For quick and easy tracking in RDR2, use Eagle Eye (L3 + R3). This allows you to see traces of animals. By following them you will reach the animal and be able to kill it easily.
Eagle Eye will not only show you the tracks of animals, but will also highlight the animals moving around the area. This way you can see animals that are not visible at first glance, e.g. frogs, squirrels or snakes.
How to hunt?
The easiest way to hit an animal is to use Dead Eye. This mode slows down the movement of enemies and highlights their vital points.
Ideally, you shouldn't get too close to the animal or you'll force it to flee.
If you care about the quality of raw materials gained from the animal, check out our guide on how to get perfect skins.
The animals are escaping, what can I do?
There are three ways in which you prevent the animals from fleeing:
- Keep your distance from the animals and shoot them with long-range weapons;
- Use cover scent lotion. This will mask the smell of your character so you can sneak up to the animals without being detected;
- Use Dead Eye, this will slow down the animals and prevent them from escaping.
Cover Scent Lotion can be crafted:
Ingredients: 1 scent gland.
How to unlock: you will get this recipe when starting chapter 2 of the game.
What can I do with the acquired resources?
The raw materials can be donated to the camp, sold or used for crafting. Perfect skins will help you craft items at the trapper's, and animal meat can provide you with food for a few days' worth of journey.
Remember that meat does not spoil in the hero's equipment. So you can carry a dozen or so pieces of meat with you. It is best if you roast this meat right away, then you can eat it during the journey.