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What’s the Best Weapon for Coyotes in Red Dead Redemption 2? A Hunter’s Guide

For players venturing into the rugged landscapes of Red Dead Redemption 2, mastering the art of hunting is essential. Among the diverse wildlife, coyotes present a unique challenge and opportunity. The question then arises: what is the best weapon to hunt coyotes in RDR2? The answer isn’t as straightforward as pointing to one single gun, but rather, it involves understanding the animal, their behavior, and what kind of hunt you’re after. However, generally speaking, the Repeater is your best bet for a clean and consistent kill on a coyote.

Why the Repeater Reigns Supreme

While the Varmint Rifle is ideal for small game and the stronger rifles are necessary for larger prey, the Repeater strikes a perfect balance for coyotes. Here’s why:

Damage: Repeaters offer a sufficient level of damage to bring down a coyote with minimal shots. This is critical for preserving the quality of the pelt. The higher caliber of a repeater, compared to the Varmint Rifle, ensures a more ethical kill, reducing the chances of the coyote escaping injured.
Range: Coyotes are wary creatures and are not likely to let you approach too closely. Repeaters offer effective range, allowing you to take accurate shots from a reasonable distance, giving you the opportunity to bag your target before it becomes alarmed and flees.
Fire Rate: The Repeater’s fast fire rate can come in handy if you need to follow up with a second shot quickly. This is especially useful if your first shot was not a clean kill.
Versatility: Repeaters are versatile enough for other medium game as well, making it an efficient weapon to carry on your hunting trips.
Ammo Availability: Repeater ammunition is widely available and relatively inexpensive, making it practical for regular hunting.

Repeater Recommendations

While various repeaters exist within the game, some stand out:

The Lancaster Repeater: This is often considered one of the best all-around weapons in RDR2. Its high accuracy, excellent rate of fire, and significant damage make it an outstanding choice for coyotes, and almost any other prey for that matter.
The Carbine Repeater: A reliable and versatile option, the Carbine Repeater is a great starting point and a solid choice throughout the game, providing good damage output and accuracy at a reasonable cost.
The Litchfield Repeater: Offers increased damage but with a slight compromise to accuracy, the Litchfield can be a good choice if you’re confident in your aim, or hunting in an area with less of a need for long-range precision.

Other Viable Options

While the Repeater is the optimal choice, here are some alternative weapons that can effectively take down coyotes:

The Bow: If you are looking for a more silent approach or a hunting challenge, the bow equipped with regular or improved arrows can yield a clean kill if you land a good shot. The bow also offers a more immersive and traditional hunting experience.
Rifles: Rifles like the Springfield or the Bolt Action can indeed be used on coyotes; however, they might inflict too much damage, which reduces the value of the pelt. They are a good option if you are primarily going after the meat or simply need a quick kill.
Throwing Knives: While challenging, a well-aimed throwing knife can also provide a perfect kill, but you need to be very close, which can be difficult with skittish coyotes. This method is more for the skilled hunter.
Sniper Rifles: Although you could technically use sniper rifles like the Carcano, they are overkill for coyotes, and they tend to be slower to operate in a hunt like this.
Shotguns: Shotguns are useful for defensive purposes and close-range combat but are not ideal for hunting coyotes due to their tendency to damage pelts and their short effective range.

Factors Beyond Weapon Choice

Selecting the right weapon is just one piece of the puzzle when hunting coyotes. Here are a few additional tips to increase your success:

Aim for Vital Organs: A clean shot to the head, heart, or lungs will ensure a swift, humane kill, and preserves the quality of the pelt.
Use Eagle Eye: Eagle Eye helps you track the animal and identify its vitals for more accurate targeting.
Hunt at Dawn or Dusk: Coyotes are most active during these times, increasing your chances of encountering them.
Utilize Bait: Bait can lure coyotes into a more favorable position for a shot.
Scent Cover: Applying scent cover can mask your presence and prevent the coyote from becoming alarmed.
Keep Your Distance: Try to maintain an effective hunting distance, this minimizes scaring the animal, increasing your odds for a clean kill.

Conclusion

While multiple weapons in RDR2 can bring down a coyote, the Repeater remains the most reliable, versatile, and efficient option for achieving clean and successful hunts. Whether you choose the Lancaster, Carbine, or Litchfield, focus on making ethical, precise shots, utilizing your surroundings, and respecting nature. With a little practice and patience, coyote hunting can become one of the most rewarding activities in the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use the Varmint Rifle to hunt coyotes?

Yes, technically you can use the Varmint Rifle, but it’s not ideal. It may take multiple shots, potentially damaging the pelt. It’s better suited for smaller game like rabbits and birds.

2. How do I get a perfect pelt from a coyote?

To get a perfect pelt, you must hunt a pristine coyote and deliver a single, clean shot to a vital area, usually the head or heart. Using the proper weapon like a Repeater helps maintain pelt quality.

3. Is it better to skin coyotes or sell them whole?

If you want to craft items from the pelt, you’ll need to skin the coyote. If you don’t need the pelt, you can sell the carcass, but a skinned carcass is worth half the price of the intact carcass.

4. Are coyotes considered “Varmint” in RDR2?

Yes, in terms of the game’s classification, coyotes are considered “varmint.” However, the best way to hunt them is not the Varmint Rifle.

5. What is the best ammo for hunting coyotes?

Any standard ammunition for repeaters is sufficient for coyotes. Experiment with the available ammunition to determine which works best for you.

6. Can I use dynamite to hunt coyotes?

While you can use dynamite, it’s highly discouraged. It severely damages the pelt and makes the hunt unsporting.

7. How do I track coyotes?

Use Eagle Eye to spot their tracks and follow them. You can also try using bait to attract them to a specific area.

8. How do I craft small game arrows?

Small game arrows can be crafted using flight feathers, regular arrows, and a hunting knife. These are ideal for smaller prey.

9. Can I hunt coyotes at night?

Yes, you can hunt coyotes at night, but they might be more challenging to spot. Consider using a lantern or the moonlight for visibility.

10. Where are the best locations to find coyotes?

Coyotes can be found throughout the map, often in open fields and forested areas. They are especially prevalent in the Heartlands, and areas around New Hanover.

11. What can I craft from a coyote pelt?

The Trapper can use coyote pelts to craft various items like clothing and accessories.

12. Should I use a hunting call for coyotes?

Using hunting calls can attract coyotes, but the results can be inconsistent. Experiment and see what works best for you.

13. Are legendary coyotes harder to hunt?

Yes, the legendary coyote requires more powerful weapons and accurate shots, but a repeater will do the trick.

14. What is the advantage of a repeater’s rate of fire?

The high rate of fire means you can quickly fire follow-up shots if your first shot doesn’t kill the coyote instantly, minimizing the chance it gets away.

15. What should I do if I accidentally damage the pelt?

If you damage a pelt, it might not be perfect, and you’ll likely get a lower price from the trapper or butcher. Consider using the damaged pelt for crafting.

What is the best weapon to hunt coyotes in rdr2?