What’s the best method to hunt for perfect pelts for crafting?

Hunting for perfect pelts in Red Dead Redemption 2 is essential for crafting high-quality gear, satchels, and camp upgrades. To ensure you get the best results, you need to understand the game’s hunting mechanics, including animal quality, weapon choice, and shot placement. Perfect pelts are only obtained from three-star animals, which are pristine and undamaged. Using the right tools and techniques is critical to preserving their quality.\n\nFirst, you need to identify three-star animals. These animals are marked with three stars when you study them using your binoculars or aim at them with a weapon. Animals like deer, elk, and wolves are common, but rarer species like panthers or moose require more effort to locate. Use Eagle Eye (R3/RS) to track animals and spot their trails. This ability highlights tracks, scents, and nearby animals, making it easier to locate high-quality targets.\n\nNext, choose the correct weapon for the animal you’re hunting. Smaller animals like rabbits, squirrels, and raccoons require small game arrows, which can be crafted at a campfire. Medium-sized animals like deer, foxes, and coyotes are best hunted with a rifle or bow with regular arrows. For larger animals like bears or bison, use a high-powered rifle or improved arrows. Using the wrong weapon can damage the pelt, reducing its quality. For example, shooting a deer with a shotgun will ruin its pelt, while a clean headshot with a rifle will preserve it.\n\nShot placement is equally important. Always aim for the head or heart to ensure a clean, one-shot kill. This minimizes damage to the pelt and guarantees a perfect result. If you miss or hit the animal in a non-vital area, it may flee or die slowly, reducing the pelt’s quality. Use Dead Eye (R3/RS) to slow time and line up the perfect shot, especially for fast-moving or skittish animals.\n\nOnce you’ve successfully hunted a three-star animal, skin it immediately to collect the pelt. Leaving the carcass unattended can attract predators or cause the pelt to degrade over time. Store the pelt on your horse, but be cautious—pelts can be lost if your horse dies or if you fast travel without securing them. For rare pelts, consider visiting a trapper or Pearson at camp to store them safely.\n\nSome animals are more challenging to hunt due to their rarity or behavior. For example, panthers are aggressive and only spawn in specific locations like the woods south of Braithwaite Manor. Use cover scent lotion to mask your scent and approach quietly. For birds like eagles or hawks, use a varmint rifle or small game arrows to avoid damaging their feathers.\n\nFinally, invest in the right gear to improve your hunting efficiency. The Legendary Buck Trinket, obtained by hunting the Legendary Buck in West Elizabeth, increases the chance of obtaining perfect pelts. Additionally, upgrade your satchel at camp to carry more pelts and materials. This is especially useful for crafting the Legend of the East Satchel, which allows unlimited storage.\n\nIn summary, hunting for perfect pelts requires preparation, patience, and precision. Study animals, use the correct weapons, aim for clean kills, and store pelts carefully. With practice, you’ll master the art of hunting and unlock the best crafting options in Red Dead Redemption 2.