The American Badger, a fearless and feisty critter, scurries across the diverse landscapes of Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2). These little carnivores might not be the most majestic animals in the game, but their pelts and claws hold value for crafting purposes. Whether you’re aiming to complete the Legend of the East Satchel or craft a unique hat, hunting down a badger can be a rewarding task.
This guide delves into the world of badger hunting in RDR2, providing crucial intel on locations, perfect pelt strategies, and common questions players ask online.
Prime Badger Hunting Grounds
While badgers can be found scattered throughout the map, specific areas offer a higher chance of encountering them. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular spots:
- Tall Trees: Nestled in the northwestern corner of West Elizabeth, Tall Trees boasts a dense forest environment that badgers call home. The area around Aurora Basin, in particular, is a prime hunting ground. Utilize your Eagle Eye ability to spot these smaller creatures camouflaged amongst the foliage and shrubbery.
- Lemoyne: The Kamassa River, snaking through Lemoyne, attracts various wildlife, including badgers. Focus your search on the riverbanks and the nearby forested areas, particularly those bordering Mattock Pond northwest of Rhodes. Once again, Eagle Eye is your friend here.
- Big Valley: Nestled between West Elizabeth and New Hanover, Big Valley offers another potential badger haven. Explore the creeks and wooded areas around the valley for a chance encounter.
- Scarlett Meadows: Located south of Saint Denis in Lemoyne, Scarlett Meadows provides another viable hunting ground. Search the riverbanks and creeks that weave through the meadows for badger activity.
- The Heartlands: Venture west of Flatneck Station in The Heartlands. The area around the oil derrick and stretching towards the train tracks reportedly has badger spawn points.
Beyond the Known Paths: Tips from Fellow Hunters
The online RDR2 community offers valuable insights beyond the established hunting grounds. Here are some additional tips gleaned from seasoned players:
- East of Dewberry Creek: Reddit users have reported a near-guaranteed badger spawn point just east of Dewberry Creek, south of the badger marker on the map. Look for a large, distinctive tree – badgers are said to spawn at its base. To encourage another spawn, ride north to the stable and then follow the road south before turning north again.
- Legendary Buck Trinket: Equipping the Legendary Buck Trinket improves your chances of encountering perfect-pelted animals, including badgers.
- Poached Animals Missions: Participating in Harriet Davenport’s Poached Animals missions specifically focusing on small animals can be a strategy. While not guaranteed, these missions often involve hunting badgers, opossums, skunks, and rabbits.
The Perfect Badger Pelt: A Hunter’s Guide
A pristine badger pelt is essential for crafting specific items. Here’s how to ensure a clean kill:
- Weapon Choice: The Varmint Rifle is the ideal weapon for hunting badgers. It delivers a clean shot, minimizing pelt damage.
- Dead-Eye Targeting: Utilizing Dead-Eye in slow-motion mode allows for a precise shot. Focus on the head for a clean kill.
- Arrow Option: While less recommended, a well-placed arrow can also achieve a perfect pelt. However, aim carefully to avoid puncturing the pelt with multiple arrows.
- Study the Creature: Using your binoculars to study a badger before engaging reveals its star rating (1, 2, or 3). Focus on 3-star badgers for the perfect pelt.
FAQs
Q. Where can I find badgers in Red Dead Redemption 2?
American Badgers primarily inhabit the more arid regions of the game world. Here are some prime locations to set your sights on:
- Tall Trees – Aurora Basin: This area around Aurora Basin is a popular spot for badger hunting. Keep your eyes peeled near the woods and riverbanks.
- Lemoyne – Kamassa River, Mattock Pond, Rhodes: The Kamassa River and surrounding areas offer excellent opportunities. Look for badgers along the riverbanks and near the small forest patches.
- Ambarino – Donner Falls, Dakota River, Bacchus Station: The riverbank areas around Donner Falls and Bacchus Station are badger hotspots.
Q. What’s the best way to hunt badgers?
- Use Eagle Eye: Eagle Eye is your best friend for spotting badgers hiding in the undergrowth. Activate it frequently as you explore your chosen hunting ground.
- Go for a Varmint Rifle: This is the weapon of choice for a clean kill. A shotgun or powerful rifle will likely damage the pelt quality.
- Aim for the head: A headshot with a Varmint Rifle will ensure a perfect pelt.
Q. Are there any guaranteed badger spawn locations?
While there aren’t any locations with 100% guaranteed spawns, some spots have a high chance of finding a badger:
- Lone Mule Stead south of Emerald Ranch: Check the rocks behind the trapper’s stall. The quality of the badger will be random, though.
- North of Carmody Dell: Look between the big rocks near where the three roads converge. The badger is usually around the cattle fence.
Q. Is there anything else I should know about badgers?
- Perfect pelts are essential: Perfect badger pelts are needed for crafting the Legend of the East Satchel and some Trapper hats.
- Nighttime hunting can be helpful: Badgers tend to be more active at night, so consider hunting under the cover of darkness.
- Use predator bait (optional): While not specifically effective for badgers, predator bait can attract other small animals you might be looking for in the area.
With these tips and knowledge of prime badger territories, you’ll be a badger-hunting pro in Red Dead Redemption 2 in no time!
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