What’s the best way to avoid bounty hunters in RDR2?

Avoiding bounty hunters in Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) is a key gameplay mechanic that can save you money and keep you out of trouble. Bounty hunters are hired to track you down when you have a high bounty in a specific region. The higher your bounty, the more aggressive and frequent their attacks become. To avoid them, you need to understand how the bounty system works and take proactive steps to minimize your exposure.\n\nFirst, always pay off your bounties as soon as possible. Visit any post office in the game, such as the ones in Valentine, Saint Denis, or Blackwater, and pay your bounty in full. This is the most straightforward way to stop bounty hunters from spawning. If you don’t have enough money, consider completing missions, hunting, or selling valuables to raise the funds. Ignoring your bounty will only make the situation worse over time.\n\nIf you can’t pay your bounty immediately, avoid traveling in areas where you have a high bounty. Bounty hunters are more likely to appear in regions where your crimes were committed. For example, if you have a bounty in Lemoyne, stay out of that state until you can clear it. Instead, focus on exploring areas like New Hanover or West Elizabeth where you have no bounty. This reduces the chances of encountering bounty hunters.\n\nWhen bounty hunters do appear, you have several options to deal with them. One effective strategy is to hide in dense forests or mountainous terrain. Locations like Big Valley, Roanoke Ridge, or the Grizzlies offer plenty of cover. Use your minimap to track the bounty hunters’ movements and stay out of their line of sight. If you’re on horseback, ride into areas with narrow paths or steep cliffs where their horses can’t follow easily.\n\nAnother tactic is to use stealth to evade bounty hunters. Equip your bow or a suppressed weapon and take out their dogs first. Bounty hunter dogs are trained to track you, and eliminating them will make it harder for the hunters to find you. Once the dogs are dealt with, use cover and stay crouched to avoid detection. If you’re spotted, use Dead Eye to quickly eliminate the hunters before they can call for reinforcements.\n\nIf you’re caught in a fight with bounty hunters, prioritize escaping over engaging. Bounty hunters often come in large groups, and fighting them head-on can be risky. Use your horse’s speed to create distance, and consider using tonics like Potent Horse Stimulant to keep your horse’s stamina high. If you’re on foot, use throwable items like dynamite or Molotov cocktails to create chaos and buy yourself time to escape.\n\nFinally, consider using disguises to avoid detection. While not a foolproof method, wearing a mask or changing your outfit can sometimes confuse bounty hunters. However, this only works if you haven’t been identified yet. Once your identity is known, disguises become less effective. Always keep a low profile by avoiding unnecessary crimes and interacting with law enforcement as little as possible.\n\nIn summary, the best way to avoid bounty hunters in RDR2 is to pay off your bounties promptly, stay out of high-bounty regions, and use stealth and terrain to your advantage. By understanding the game’s mechanics and planning your actions carefully, you can minimize your encounters with bounty hunters and enjoy a smoother gameplay experience.