What’s the most efficient way to sell animal carcasses?
Selling animal carcasses in Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most reliable ways to earn money, especially in the early stages of the game. To maximize your profits, you need to understand the game mechanics, hunting strategies, and where to sell your kills. The key is to focus on high-value animals, maintain their quality, and deliver them to the right buyers.\n\nFirst, you need to hunt efficiently. Use the right weapons and ammunition to preserve the quality of the animal carcass. For example, small animals like rabbits and squirrels require a Varmint Rifle, while larger animals like deer and elk need a rifle or bow with improved arrows. Always aim for headshots to ensure a clean kill, as this preserves the pelt and carcass quality. A three-star (perfect) carcass will fetch the highest price, so prioritize hunting these animals.\n\nOnce you’ve hunted your prey, you need to transport it to a buyer. The most common buyers are butchers, who can be found in towns like Valentine, Saint Denis, and Rhodes. However, you can also sell carcasses to the Trapper, who offers unique items in exchange for pelts and carcasses. The Trapper is located in several fixed spots across the map, such as near Riggs Station and Saint Denis. Selling to the Trapper is ideal if you’re also working on crafting outfits or upgrades at the same time.\n\nOne of the most efficient ways to maximize profits is to hunt multiple animals at once. Use your horse to carry a large carcass, such as a deer or pronghorn, and lasso a second large carcass to drag behind you. Additionally, you can store smaller animals, like rabbits or birds, on the sides of your saddle. This allows you to sell multiple carcasses in a single trip, saving time and increasing your earnings.\n\nA common challenge is managing carcass decay. If you leave a carcass on your horse for too long or take too much damage, its quality may degrade. To avoid this, avoid fast travel and unnecessary combat while transporting carcasses. If you’re hunting in remote areas, consider setting up camp to cook and save your progress, which can help preserve your haul.\n\nFor new players, starting with smaller animals like rabbits and birds is a good way to practice hunting and earn some quick cash. As you progress, focus on larger, high-value animals like cougars, panthers, and bears. These animals are more dangerous but yield significantly higher profits. For example, a perfect cougar carcass can sell for around $13.50 at a butcher, making it one of the most lucrative hunts in the game.\n\nExperienced players can take advantage of specific hunting locations. The area around Big Valley, west of Valentine, is rich in deer, elk, and bears. The swamps near Saint Denis are excellent for hunting alligators, which provide valuable skins and meat. Additionally, the snowy regions of Ambarino are ideal for hunting wolves and bighorn sheep.\n\nFinally, always check the Compendium for information on animal behavior and ideal hunting conditions. This will help you locate and hunt specific animals more efficiently. By combining these strategies, you can consistently earn money from hunting and selling animal carcasses, making it one of the most rewarding activities in Red Dead Redemption 2.