Perfect pelts are required to craft the best outfits and trinkets. This guide covers how to get perfect pelts from every animal in Red Dead Redemption 2.
The Perfect Pelt System
Every animal drops a pelt when killed. The pelt quality depends on:
- The weapon used
- The number of shots fired
- The shot placement
- The animal's size
A perfect pelt is the highest quality. It is required for the best crafting recipes.
Weapon Selection by Animal Size
Small Animals (Rabbit, Squirrel, Rat, Raccoon, Skunk)
Best weapon: Varmint Rifle. Why: small caliber that does not damage the pelt.
Alternative: Bow with small game arrows.
Medium Animals (Deer, Boar, Wolf, Coyote)
Best weapon: Repeater. Why: medium caliber, balanced damage.
Alternative: Bow with regular arrows.
Large Animals (Bear, Bison, Moose, Elk)
Best weapon: Bolt-Action Rifle. Why: large caliber, high damage.
Alternative: Bow with improved arrows.
Shot Placement
Small Animals
Aim for the head. A body shot kills but ruins the pelt.
Medium Animals
Aim for the head or heart. Both work for perfect pelts.
Large Animals
Aim for the head or heart. Both work for perfect pelts.
Animal Locations
Rabbits
Locations: Every region, in fields and meadows.
Spawn conditions: dawn and dusk, common spawn.
Squirrels
Locations: Every region, in forests and woodlands.
Spawn conditions: dawn and dusk, common spawn.
Deer
Locations: Big Valley, Heartland, and Scarlett Meadows.
Spawn conditions: dawn and dusk, common spawn.
Boar
Locations: Bayou NWA, Cholla Springs, and Cumberland Forest.
Spawn conditions: dawn and dusk, common spawn.
Wolf
Locations: Grizzlies West, Grizzlies East, and Tall Trees.
Spawn conditions: night, group spawn.
Coyote
Locations: Every region, in plains and deserts.
Spawn conditions: night, common spawn.
Bear
Locations: Grizzlies West, Grizzlies East, and Tall Trees.
Spawn conditions: dawn and dusk, rare spawn.
Bison
Locations: Great Plains, near Blackwater.
Spawn conditions: dawn and dusk, herd spawn.
Moose
Locations: Grizzlies East, near O'Creagh's Run.
Spawn conditions: dawn and dusk, rare spawn.
Elk
Locations: Grizzlies West, near Fort Wallace.
Spawn conditions: dawn and dusk, herd spawn.
Cougar
Locations: Gaptooth Ridge, New Austin, and Big Valley.
Spawn conditions: dawn and dusk, rare spawn.
Panther
Locations: Scarlett Meadows, south of Braithwaite Manor.
Spawn conditions: night, very rare spawn.
Alligator
Locations: Bayou NWA, near Lagras.
Spawn conditions: dawn and dusk, common spawn.
Tracking Tips
Use Eagle Eye
Eagle Eye highlights tracks on the ground. Use it to:
- Find animal paths
- Locate animal dens
- Predict animal movements
Listen for Sounds
Animals make sounds that you can hear at distance:
- Birds chirping: herbivores nearby
- Howling: wolves or coyotes
- Growling: bears or cougars
- Snorting: boars
Use the Scent Indicator
Some animals have a scent indicator on the minimap when you are close. Use it to:
- Locate hidden animals
- Track wounded animals
- Avoid predators
Common Mistakes
- Don't use the wrong weapon. The pelt will be ruined.
- Don't fire multiple shots. The pelt is ruined if the animal is not killed in one shot.
- Don't shoot in the body for small animals. Use the head.
- Don't hunt in bad weather. The pelt is more likely to be damaged.
FAQ: Perfect Pelt Hunting
Q: Can I get perfect pelts in co-op?
A: No. Perfect pelts are solo-only.
Q: What happens if I ruin a pelt?
A: The pelt is permanently damaged. You cannot fix it.
Q: Are there perfect pelt challenges?
A: Yes. The Master Hunter trophy requires catching every animal with a perfect pelt.
Q: What's the rarest perfect pelt?
A: The Legendary Panther. It is the rarest animal in the game.
Q: Are there legendary animals with perfect pelts?
A: Yes. Legendary animal pelts are always perfect.
With this guide, you will get perfect pelts from every animal. Use the right weapon, aim for the head, and always hunt at the right time of day.
The Compendium
The Compendium is the bestiary in Red Dead Redemption 2. It tracks every animal you have studied. To study an animal:
- Find the animal
- Approach slowly
- Use Eagle Eye to study it
- The Compendium entry is completed
Studying an animal gives you:
- Detailed information about the animal
- A sketch of the animal
- Information about the perfect hunting method
Completing the Compendium is required for 100% completion.
Legendary Animals
Legendary animals are rare versions of regular animals. They are:
- Required for 100% completion
- Required for the Master Hunter trophy
- Drop legendary pelts used for unique crafting
There are 16 legendary animals in the game. Each is one-time spawn.
Hunting for Trader Role
Beyond perfect pelts, hunting also provides materials for the Trader role:
Materials by Animal
- Perfect Deer Carcass: 3 materials
- Perfect Elk Carcass: 5 materials
- Perfect Bison Carcass: 5 materials
- Perfect Boar Carcass: 2 materials
- Perfect Coyote Carcass: 2 materials
- Perfect Wolf Carcass: 3 materials
- Perfect Bear Carcass: 4 materials
The most efficient animals for materials are Bison and Elk. Both provide 5 materials per perfect carcass.
Hunting Challenges
There are multiple hunting challenges in the game:
The Master Hunter Challenge 1
Skin every species of small animal. Reward: Master Hunter Token 1.
The Master Hunter Challenge 2
Skin every species of medium animal. Reward: Master Hunter Token 2.
The Master Hunter Challenge 3
Skin every species of large animal. Reward: Master Hunter Token 3.
The Master Hunter Challenge 4
Skin every legendary animal. Reward: Master Hunter Token 4.
The Master Hunter Challenge 5
Skin every species at night. Reward: Master Hunter Token 5.
The Master Hunter Challenge 6
Catch every fish species. Reward: Master Hunter Token 6.
The Master Hunter Challenge 7
Skin every species. Reward: Master Hunter Token 7.
The Master Hunter Challenge 8
Skin every species with a bow. Reward: Master Hunter Token 8.
The Master Hunter Challenge 9
Skin every legendary animal. Reward: Master Hunter Token 9.
The Master Hunter Challenge 10
Complete the entire Master Hunter challenge. Reward: The Master Hunter outfit.
Tips for Specific Animals
Moose
The moose is one of the rarest animals. They spawn only in:
- Grizzlies East
- Roanoke Ridge
Use the Bolt-Action Rifle. Aim for the head.
Panther
The panther spawns only at night in the Scarlett Meadows region. It is very skittish.
Use the Bolt-Action Rifle. Aim for the head. The panther can one-shot kill your horse.
Cougar
The cougar spawns at dawn and dusk in the New Austin and Gaptooth Ridge regions.
Use the Bolt-Action Rifle. Aim for the head. The cougar can one-shot kill you.
Common Mistakes
- Don't use the wrong weapon. The pelt will be damaged.
- Don't fire multiple shots. The pelt is ruined if the animal is not killed in one shot.
- Don't hunt in bad weather. The pelt is more likely to be damaged.
- Don't ignore legendary animals. They are required for 100% completion.
FAQ: Perfect Pelt Hunting Extended
Q: What's the rarest animal in the game?
A: The Legendary Panther. It is the rarest spawn.
Q: Can I hunt legendary animals in co-op?
A: No. Legendary animals are solo-only.
Q: What's the best weapon for large animals?
A: The Bolt-Action Rifle or the Carcano Rifle.
Q: What's the best weapon for small animals?
A: The Varmint Rifle. It does not damage the pelt.
Q: Are there legendary animals in the epilogue?
A: Yes. There are additional legendary animals in the epilogue.
With this guide, you will get perfect pelts from every animal. Use the right weapon, aim for the head, and always hunt at the right time of day.