Crocodiles, cougars, and bears— oh my! For those who aren't the most experienced outdoor people, or believe that hunting is immoral, hunting in a video game is a virtuous alternative. Red Dead Redemption 2 is loaded with content, including hot air balloon riding, fishing, and hunting. The game is genuinely terrifying when facing savage animals like bears, cougars, wolfs, and panthers.
Hunting in Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn't have to be an arduous experience. This guide will provide tips on how to hunt big and small game. Be warned; this section contains graphic material. No animals were harmed in the making of this list. These are the hardest legendary animals to hunt in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Updated on August 10, 2021 by Payton Lott: Most of the community has moved on to Red Dead Online in 2021. As a result, this updated list will include five legendary animals people can hunt in the online version of the game. These legendary creatures are far more difficult to hunt down and kill than the legendary animals in the base game. This is primarily because of the additional time and weather requirements while hunting them. Gamers will need to look for the animals at a certain time of day and in particular weather conditions. Good luck finding and killing the hardest legendary animals in RDR2.
15 Teca Gator
The Teca Gator is one of three legendary gators in RDO. It is by far the toughest to hunt. Players will need to make their way down to the bayou south of Caliga Hall and east of Braithwaite Manor. This gator is almost always spotted on the eastern edge of the bayou. Teca Gators usually only appear at dusk or when it is raining. Anyone serious about tracking the massive animal down will want to search in those conditions. Teca Gators are huge, so players will have to hit their shots or risk getting killed by the surprisingly quick legendary animal.
14 Maza Cougar
Legendary cougars in RDR2 are notoriously difficult to hunt because they are extremely fast. Without Deadeye in RDO, it is a lot harder to hit critical shots. Maza Cougars are located all the way in the west end of New Austin next to the Sea of Coronado. Because of their color, these cougars are disguised by the desert landscape. They also roam a large area, from the Sea of Coronado to Tumbleweed. Gamers will have to drop by the zone in clear weather between 6am and 9am to spot one. Some may get lucky and take the cougar out while on horseback, but they are easily spooked.
13 Winyan Bison
The Winyan Bison roam the area above the western Grizzlies in Ambarino. These gigantic creatures are extremely rare and have a ton of health. Despite the fact that they have a large spawn window in clear weather between 9pm and 6am, a lot of gamers struggle to cross this one off their list.
Part of the reason is that the animal will be tricky to spot at night. The white coat blends into the snow, especially after dark. Once one is spotted, hunters will need to hit a few critical shots to secure the kill and live to tell the tale.
12 Ozula Elk
The elusive legendary Elk in RDR2 can be found in Cholla Springs between Tumbleweed and Armadillo in New Austin. It spawns in one of the largest legendary animal zones in the game. People have found the elk as far south as Fort Mercer and as far north as Twin Rocks. Making matters worse, the elk only appears in foggy weather from dusk till dawn. A few players have been very fortunate and spotted the Ozula Elk in clear weather, but that is uncommon. It will take a miracle for the stars to align when hunting for the desert elk.
11 Ridgeback Spirit Bear
The Ridgeback Spirit Bear spawns in the area surrounding Little Creek River north of Big Valley. Like the Elk, this bear has a massive spawn radius. For the best chance of finding one, look along the river. Most of the spawn points are either near the river or on the edge of the map. The Spirit Bear spawns at any time during the day, but because of the wide radius it occupies, hunters will need to allot some time to find one. When fighting the bear, stay on your horse to get those critical hits and avoid being mauled.
10 Legendary Boar
A boar is a large wild pig. Given its size and mobility (or lack thereof), the Legendary Boar is not the most challenging animal to hunt in Red Dead Redemption 2. In total, there are 16 legendary animals and 13 legendary fish. Whether you are a land or a water person, finding and hunting these animals is not easy.
Tracking the Legendary Boar can be tricky since there are many bushes and decomposing trees in the area. Some might feel that the Legendary Ram or Elk is more tricky, and they could be right. The boar is not much more difficult than either of those.
9 Legendary Buck
Navigating through wooded areas could cause minor setbacks while hunting. The Legendary Buck is a fast-moving creature that will charge if it sees you. Hunting the Legendary Buck can be done with a rifle or bow and arrow—and a fair amount of Dead Eye. You'll learn that most hunts in Red Dead Redemption 2 are made easier with Dead Eye.
Ideally, you'll want to hunt a Legendary Buck in the morning. Use Eagle Eye to track the target's evidence markers and sleep more 72 hours if you fail to hunt it.
8 Legendary Fox
This animal is fast and it is almost always on the move. Tracking the Legendary Fox is much like tracking other animals. The Legendary Fox, however, tends to have more erratic movements than other small game.
A rifle with a decent scope will help you take the Legendary Fox down since it has a low resistance to bullets, but is a small target. Sure enough, if you follow its trail, it will lead you to the fox. It will give you a legendary pelt if successfully hunted.
7 Legendary Coyote
For those who don't know what a coyote is, it's like a smaller version of a wolf with more ferocity. Coyotes and Legendary Coyotes from Red Dead Redemption 2 are known to kill small and large animals.
Chances are you might see dead animals in the area of the Legendary Coyote. One carefully placed shot to its head will be enough to wound it direly. Afterward, walk up to the animal and finish the hunt by completing the kill and skinning the animal for loot.
6 Legendary Beaver
Although it's one of the most harmless animals on this list, the Legendary Beaver can be one of the most difficult to hunt. It's quite small and has sporadic movements, making it challenging to track. South of the Elysian Pool and west of the Van Horn Trading Post is where the Legendary Beaver is found.
Once you see a dam, you'll know the beaver is nearby. Be super quiet around this animal. It's recommended to use a bow and arrow for a quick hunt.
5 Legendary Bull Gator
This massive crocodile can withstand a fair amount of damage, making it one of the more difficult animals to hunt. On the bright side, its size makes it easier to track.
After shooting the Legendary Bull Gator, it will charge at a faster pace than an average crocodile. Even if you don't shoot, there's a chance the gator will charge anyway. You'll need quick reflexes and a surplus of firepower to take down this gator. It can be found near the Lagras swamp area beside Lakay.
4 Legendary Cougar
As one of the wild's fiercest predators, there are few animals as challenging to hunt as the mountain lion. Many players have been attacked by a cougar while minding their own business.
In the wild, wild west, it is unlikely anyone is going to save you from this ferocious beast. It's not too hard to track since it has steady movements. It's not as difficult to kill as some of the other legendary beasts. A few carefully placed shots with a rifle of choice should take it down.
3 Legendary Wolf
Because of the area, the Legendary Wolf is one of the most difficult animals to hunt. Without trees and bushes to use as cover, expect to receive a nasty bite from the Legendary Wolf.
This large wolf moves fast in Cotorra Spring, making it challenging to hunt. On the bright side, it doesn't do as much damage as other animals such as the Legendary Cougar, so the Big Game Meat, Legendary Wolf Pelt, and Legendary Wolf Heart will be yours in no time.
2 Legendary Giaguro Panther
The Legendary Giaguro Panther is a bit more challenging to hunt than the Legendary Cougar. The difference in difficulty is attributed to the area it is found and its aggressive nature.
There are a lot of trees and bushes in the area next to the Braithwaite Manor. The Legendary Giaguro Panther will take out almost all of your health with a clean attack, so be sure to stock up on Health Cures and try to shoot it before it performs a leap attack.
1 Legendary Bharati Grizzly Bear
Tracking the Legendary Bharati Grizzly Bear is difficult, and requires the usage of bait in most cases. If the bear manages to beat you to the punch, spam Circle (B on Xbox One controller) and free yourself from its jaws. Fail and you could experience a moment like a scene from The Revenant.
Since the Legendary Bharati Grizzly Bear is a tough foe requiring numerous shots to take it down, it is considered the most difficult legendary animal to hunt in Red Dead Redemption 2. After hunting this fascinating creature, you can take it to the trapper who will allow you to purchase a Legendary Bear Head Hat.