Perfect Pelt Weapon Table | Red Dead Redemption 2

Here are some tables that show every animal and every weapon that can be used to effectively perform a “Perfect Kill” allowing the hunter to obtain a Perfect quality Pelt, Hide or Skin in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Animals are grouped into Size Group (as defined by Rockstar), then Class and Species.

The effectiveness of each Weapon and Ammunition combination is effective to the entire Size Group of Animals and differences within each animal Size Group make no difference, they are all named as a handy reference to see which animal is in which group.

Small & Moderate sized animals do not have critical points in which to hit, and so are simply hunted via their Fatal areas.

While the fatal areas are typically Brain and Heart in an animal, hitting the animal in the heart would degrade it’s pelt, so it is suggested that no matter what the animal, you aim for the brain.

I personally do my best to move around the animal for a side on shot to better gauge the brains location and aim for behind the eyes and very very slightly below for the cleanest of approaches.

For everything regarding hunting the perfect pelts in Red Dead Redemption, take a gander at this video to the right.

This in-depth analysis into Hunting in Red Dead Redemption will leave you with all of the knowledge required to rule the wilderness.

Small

Birds

SpeciesBow
Blue JaySmall Game Arrow
Cardinal
Waxwing
Crow
Oriole
Pigeon
Robin
Songbird
Sparrow
Woodpecker
Carolina Parakeet
Chicken
Duck
Loon
Parrot
Pheasant
Quail
Raven
Booby
Rooster
Gull

Mammals

SpeciesBow
BatSmall Game Arrow
Squirrel
Rat
Chipmunk

Reptiles

SpeciesBow
BullfrogSmall Game Arrow
Toad
Snake

Moderate

Birds

SpeciesVarmint Rifle
Eagle0.22
Crane
Cormorant
Egret
Hawk
Heron
Owl
Pelican
Spoonbill
Turkey
Vulture
Condor
Goose

Mammals

SpeciesVarmint Rifle
Rabbit0.22
Armadillo
Badger
Muskrat
Possum
Raccoon
Skunk

Reptiles

SpeciesVarmint Rifle
Iguana0.22
Gila Monster

Medium

Mammals

SpeciesBowThrowableRepeaterRifleSniper Rifle
CoyoteArrowPoison ArrowThrowing KnifePoison Throwing Knife- Regular -
- Split Point -
- High Velocity -
- Express -
- Regular -
- Split Point -
- High Velocity -
- Express -
- Regular -
- Split Point -
- High Velocity -
- Express -
Fox
Pig
Beaver

Large

Mammals

SpeciesBowThrowableRifleSniper Rifle
BoarArrowPoison ArrowPoison Throwing Knife- Regular -
- Split Point -
- High Velocity -
- Express -
- Regular -
- Split Point -
- High Velocity -
- Express -
Buck
Cougar
Panther
Big Horn Ram
Wolf
Deer
Pronghorn
Goat
Sheep
Peccary

Reptiles

SpeciesBowThrowableRifleSniper Rifle
Alligator (Small)ArrowPoison ArrowPoison Throwing Knife- Regular -
- Split Point -
- High Velocity -
- Express -
- Regular -
- Split Point -
- High Velocity -
- Express -
Turtle

Massive

Mammals

SpeciesBowThrowableRifleSniper RifleShotgun
BearPoison ArrowImproved ArrowPoison Throwing Knife- Regular -
- Split Point -
- High Velocity -
- Express -
- Regular -
- Split Point -
- High Velocity -
- Express -
Slug
Bison
Bull
Elk
Moose
Ox
Cow

Reptiles

SpeciesBowThrowableRifleSniper RifleShotgun
AligatorPoison ArrowImproved ArrowPoison Throwing Knife- Regular -
- Split Point -
- High Velocity -
- Express -
- Regular -
- Split Point -
- High Velocity -
- Express -
Slug

4 thoughts on “Perfect Pelt Weapon Table | Red Dead Redemption 2”

  1. Hey I noticed you have the incorrect info for a perfect beaver pelt. Your chart says to use a rifle or sniper rifle loaded with express bullets. I attempted this twice on a 3 star (perfect) beaver and it ruined the pelt (1 star). The correct weapon to use is the varmint rifle.

  2. Theodore Baxter

    What the best reaper rifle can you buy . And what the best rifte can buy what’s the best bullets for.kill deer and elk . Bear. Boar some. Shoot it wirhb3 star I get lung and head shot raid when I pick it up it is a star raited of art ,2 star raidinf

  3. Ive been able to take grizzlys , elk, moose, and bison with one shot, aim for heart, with the improved arrow. No poison.
    And get perfect pelts.

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