How do you unlock the Survivalist challenges in RDR2?

The Survivalist challenges in Red Dead Redemption 2 are a series of 10 tasks that test your hunting, fishing, and survival skills in the wild. These challenges are unlocked during Chapter 2 of the game, once you have access to the open world and can freely explore. To begin, you need to visit a specific location and interact with the challenge poster. The poster is located in the town of Strawberry, near the general store. Look for a small bulletin board on the side of the building, where you can find the Survivalist challenge poster among other notices.\n\nOnce you interact with the poster, the Survivalist challenges will be added to your log. These challenges are progressive, meaning you must complete them in order, starting with Survivalist 1 and working your way up to Survivalist 10. Each challenge has specific requirements, such as hunting certain animals, crafting items, or catching specific types of fish. For example, Survivalist 1 requires you to catch 3 Bluegill fish, which can be found in most freshwater bodies like the Dakota River or Flat Iron Lake.\n\nTo complete the challenges efficiently, you need to understand the game mechanics related to hunting and fishing. For hunting, you must use the right weapon and ammunition to ensure a clean kill. Small animals like rabbits and squirrels require small game arrows, while larger animals like deer and elk need rifles or bows with improved arrows. Always aim for the head or heart to preserve the quality of the pelt. For fishing, you need a fishing rod, which can be obtained during the mission A Fisher of Men with Jack Marston. Use the correct bait for the fish you are targeting; for example, worms work well for Bluegill.\n\nOne common challenge players face is finding specific animals or fish. For Survivalist 4, you need to catch a fish that weighs at least 19 lbs. The best location for this is the Dakota River, where you can find large Channel Catfish. Use special river lure or cheese as bait to increase your chances. Another tricky challenge is Survivalist 7, which requires you to craft a Poison Throwing Knife. To do this, you need Oleander Sage, which grows near water bodies like the Kamassa River, and a regular throwing knife. Craft the Poison Throwing Knife at your campfire under the Crafting menu.\n\nPractical tips for completing the Survivalist challenges include planning your route and gathering resources in advance. Always carry a variety of baits, lures, and ammunition to avoid backtracking. Use your map to mark locations where specific animals or fish are commonly found. For example, the area around Owanjila Lake is great for hunting beavers, which are required for Survivalist 6. Additionally, consider upgrading your satchel to carry more items, as some challenges require multiple pelts or fish.\n\nFinally, patience is key. Some animals and fish are rare or only appear at certain times of day. For instance, the Legendary Buck, which is useful for crafting trinkets that improve your hunting, is most active at dawn and dusk. Use Eagle Eye to track animals and study their behavior. By following these steps and tips, you can efficiently complete the Survivalist challenges and unlock valuable rewards, such as improved equipment and increased stamina.