What is the best way to earn money for camp upgrades early in the game?

Earning money for camp upgrades early in Red Dead Redemption 2 requires a mix of exploration, resourcefulness, and strategic gameplay. The camp is a central hub for your gang, and upgrading it improves morale, unlocks useful items, and provides quality-of-life benefits. However, funds are limited early on, so you need to focus on efficient money-making methods.\n\nOne of the best ways to earn money early is by hunting and selling animal pelts. Animals like deer, elk, and bears provide high-quality pelts that fetch good prices at butchers or trappers. Focus on hunting three-star animals, as their pelts are worth the most. Use a rifle or bow with improved arrows to ensure clean kills and preserve the pelt quality. For example, head to the forests near Valentine or the plains of Heartlands for deer and elk.\n\nAnother reliable method is looting enemies and searching for valuables. After completing missions or random encounters, thoroughly loot defeated enemies for cash, jewelry, and other sellable items. Items like gold nuggets, pocket watches, and rings can be sold to fences, which become available after completing the mission ''The Spines of America'' in Chapter 2. Fences pay well for these items, making them a great source of income.\n\nTreasure maps are another excellent way to earn money early. You can obtain treasure maps by completing challenges, looting enemies, or finding them in the world. For example, the ''Jack Hall Gang Treasure Map'' is available early in the game and leads to a significant cash reward. Follow the clues to locate the treasure, which often includes gold bars worth $500 each. These can be sold at a fence for a substantial boost to your funds.\n\nCompleting side activities like bounty hunting and stagecoach robberies can also generate quick cash. Bounty hunting missions are available in towns like Valentine and Rhodes. These missions pay well and often involve minimal risk if you approach them strategically. Similarly, robbing stagecoaches can yield valuable loot, but be cautious of witnesses and law enforcement. Use the wilderness to your advantage by hiding in remote areas after committing crimes.\n\nFinally, consider selling excess items like herbs, meat, and crafted tonics. While these don’t fetch high prices individually, they can add up over time. For example, selling cooked meat to butchers or tonics to doctors in towns like Valentine or Strawberry can provide a steady income stream. Focus on gathering herbs like Yarrow and crafting potent health tonics, which are always in demand.\n\nTo maximize your earnings, prioritize upgrading the camp’s ledger first. This unlocks the ability to purchase better provisions and ammo, making your money-making efforts more efficient. Once the ledger is upgraded, focus on improving Dutch’s tent and Arthur’s lodging, as these provide significant morale and fast travel benefits.\n\nIn summary, the best way to earn money for camp upgrades early in the game is through a combination of hunting, looting, treasure hunting, and side activities. Focus on high-value targets like three-star pelts and gold bars, and always loot enemies for sellable items. By following these strategies, you’ll quickly accumulate the funds needed to upgrade your camp and enhance your gameplay experience.