What’s the best way to avoid bounty hunters while exploring caves?

Avoiding bounty hunters while exploring caves in Red Dead Redemption 2 requires a combination of stealth, preparation, and understanding game mechanics. Bounty hunters are relentless and will track you down if you have a high bounty in a specific region. However, caves provide unique opportunities to evade them due to their confined spaces and limited entry points.\n\nFirst, ensure your bounty is as low as possible before entering a cave. Pay off your bounties at any post office or through the camp ledger if you''re part of the Van der Linde gang. If you cannot pay off your bounty, consider wearing a bandana or mask to conceal your identity during any illegal activities. This reduces the chance of being recognized and having a bounty placed on you.\n\nWhen exploring caves, always be aware of your surroundings. Bounty hunters often patrol nearby areas, especially if you have a high bounty. Use Eagle Eye to detect their presence before they spot you. Eagle Eye highlights enemies in red, allowing you to plan your movements carefully. If you see bounty hunters approaching, retreat deeper into the cave or find a hidden spot to avoid detection.\n\nCaves like Elysian Pool Cave or the cave near Window Rock are excellent locations to lose bounty hunters due to their complex layouts. These caves have multiple tunnels and hiding spots, making it difficult for bounty hunters to track you. Use the environment to your advantage by climbing onto ledges or hiding behind rocks. Bounty hunters will often lose your trail if you stay out of sight long enough.\n\nAnother effective strategy is to use bait or distractions. Throw animal carcasses or use fire bottles to create chaos, drawing bounty hunters away from your location. This works particularly well in caves with narrow passages, as the confined space amplifies the effects of distractions. Additionally, using cover scent lotion can mask your scent, making it harder for bounty hunters and their dogs to track you.\n\nIf you are caught in a confrontation, prioritize stealth kills over gunfights. Use a bow or throwing knives to silently eliminate bounty hunters without alerting others. This is especially useful in caves, where gunfire can echo and attract more enemies. If you must engage in combat, use the terrain to your advantage by funneling bounty hunters into narrow passages where you can pick them off one by one.\n\nFinally, always have an escape plan. Familiarize yourself with the cave''s layout and identify multiple exit points. If bounty hunters overwhelm you, use these exits to flee and regroup. Horses can be left outside the cave, but ensure they are hidden or tied in a safe spot to avoid detection.\n\nIn summary, avoiding bounty hunters in caves requires preparation, stealth, and strategic use of the environment. Lower your bounty, use Eagle Eye to detect threats, and leverage the cave''s layout to your advantage. With these tactics, you can explore caves safely and avoid unwanted confrontations.