How do I avoid losing pelts if my horse dies during hunting?

In Red Dead Redemption 2, losing pelts due to your horse dying during hunting can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’ve spent time tracking and hunting for perfect pelts. To avoid this, you need to understand the game mechanics and take proactive steps to protect your horse and pelts. Here’s a detailed guide to help you minimize the risk of losing your hard-earned pelts.\n\nFirst, always prioritize your horse’s safety. Your horse is your primary means of transporting pelts, so keeping it alive is crucial. Avoid dangerous areas like steep cliffs, deep water, or regions with high predator activity, such as the Grizzlies or Bayou Nwa. If you’re hunting in these areas, stay alert and keep your horse at a safe distance from threats. For example, when hunting cougars near Roanoke Ridge, tie your horse to a tree and approach the predator on foot to avoid putting your horse in danger.\n\nSecond, invest in a good horse with high health and stamina stats. War horses like the Ardennes or Turkoman are excellent choices because they are more resilient and less likely to panic during predator encounters. You can purchase these horses from stables in cities like Valentine or Saint Denis. Additionally, always carry Horse Reviver in your inventory. This item can save your horse if it gets critically injured, preventing you from losing your pelts. You can buy Horse Reviver from general stores or craft it using specific herbs if you have the necessary recipe.\n\nThird, manage your pelts effectively. If you’re hunting multiple animals, store the pelts on your horse but avoid overloading it. Each horse can carry one large pelt (like a bear or bison) and several medium or small pelts. If you’re hunting in a remote area, consider using a temporary horse. You can tame a wild horse or steal one from an NPC, then use it as a secondary pack animal to carry extra pelts. This way, if your primary horse dies, you still have a backup to transport your pelts.\n\nFourth, always save your game before embarking on a hunting trip. If your horse dies and you lose your pelts, you can reload your save to recover them. This is especially useful when hunting legendary animals, as their pelts are unique and cannot be replaced. To save manually, open the pause menu, go to the Story tab, and select Save Game. Make sure to save in a safe location, like a camp or town, before heading into the wilderness.\n\nFinally, if your horse does die and you lose your pelts, there are a few ways to recover them. Pelts stored on your horse will remain on its corpse for a short time, so you can retrieve them if you act quickly. However, if the pelts despawn or you’re unable to recover them, you’ll need to hunt the animals again. To avoid this, always prioritize your horse’s safety and plan your hunting trips carefully.\n\nIn summary, protecting your horse and managing your pelts are key to avoiding losses during hunting. Use a sturdy horse, carry Horse Reviver, and consider using a temporary horse for extra storage. Save your game frequently and stay alert in dangerous areas. By following these steps, you can ensure that your perfect pelts make it back to the trapper or camp safely.