What’s the best way to complete the Master Hunter Challenge 7?

Master Hunter Challenge 7 in Red Dead Redemption 2 requires you to kill 5 cougars with your bow and collect their pelts. This challenge can be tricky due to the cougar''s aggressive behavior and the need for precise bow shots. To complete it efficiently, you’ll need to understand cougar spawn locations, game mechanics, and the best strategies for hunting them.\n\nFirst, cougars are most commonly found in specific regions of the map. The best locations to hunt cougars are Big Valley, west of Strawberry, and Roanoke Ridge, north of Annesburg. These areas have consistent cougar spawns, especially near the trapper’s locations. Use your map to mark these areas and set up camp nearby to save time traveling.\n\nBefore heading out, ensure you have the right equipment. You’ll need a bow and improved arrows to kill cougars cleanly. Improved arrows are crafted using regular arrows, flight feathers, and animal fat. These arrows deal more damage and increase your chances of a one-shot kill, which is crucial for preserving the pelt quality. Additionally, stock up on health tonics and predator bait to lure cougars out of hiding.\n\nWhen hunting cougars, stealth is key. Approach the area on foot rather than on horseback, as horses can spook easily and alert the cougar. Use Eagle Eye to track the cougar’s scent trail and locate it. Once you spot the cougar, crouch and move slowly to avoid detection. If the cougar notices you, it will charge aggressively, so be ready to aim and shoot quickly.\n\nAim for the head or heart to ensure a clean kill. If you miss or hit a non-vital area, the cougar will attack, and you’ll need to defend yourself with a knife or sidearm. However, using anything other than the bow will void the challenge requirements, so practice your bow accuracy beforehand. If you’re struggling with aim, consider using Dead Eye to slow time and line up your shot perfectly.\n\nAfter killing the cougar, skin it immediately to collect the pelt. Store the pelt on your horse and repeat the process in the same area or move to another cougar spawn location. Remember that cougars are territorial, so only one will spawn at a time in a given area. If you don’t find a cougar immediately, leave the area, set up camp, and sleep for 24-48 in-game hours to reset the spawn.\n\nCommon challenges include cougars attacking unexpectedly or failing to spawn. To avoid surprise attacks, always keep your bow equipped and listen for the cougar’s growl, which signals its presence. If cougars aren’t spawning, try using predator bait near their known locations or clear out other predators in the area, such as wolves or bears, to increase the chances of a cougar appearing.\n\nFinally, patience is essential. Cougars are rare and require careful tracking, so don’t rush the process. Use the time between spawns to gather crafting materials or complete other challenges. With persistence and the right strategy, you’ll complete Master Hunter Challenge 7 and earn the satisfaction of mastering one of the game’s toughest hunts.\n\nPractical tips: Always save your game before engaging a cougar to avoid losing progress if things go wrong. Use Dead Eye liberally to ensure clean kills, and consider upgrading your bow’s stats at a fence for better performance. If you’re struggling with aim, practice on smaller animals like deer to improve your accuracy before tackling cougars.