The Ultimate Guide to Easiest Animal Fat Farming in Red Dead Online

So, you’re roaming the digital plains of Red Dead Online, and you’ve got a hankering for crafting, cooking, or maybe you just want to feel like a true frontiersman. Whatever the reason, you need animal fat. But what’s the easiest way to get your hands on this valuable resource? The absolute easiest method is hunting ducks and geese. These fowl are plentiful around lakes, rivers, and swamps, they’re easy to shoot with a Varmint Rifle, and they consistently yield animal fat.

Why Ducks and Geese are Your Best Bet

Let’s break down why focusing on ducks and geese is the optimal strategy:

• Abundance: Ducks and geese spawn in large numbers. You’ll find them congregating along waterways, making them easy targets.
• Ease of Hunting: You don’t need powerful weapons to take them down. The Varmint Rifle is perfect, ensuring you get clean kills and maintain the quality of the carcass (though that doesn’t matter for animal fat).
• Consistent Drop: Ducks and geese have a high probability of dropping animal fat. This isn’t a guaranteed drop every time, but it’s far more reliable than some other animals.
• Accessibility: You don’t need to venture into dangerous territory to find them. Many suitable locations are relatively safe from player conflict and predators.
• Low Risk: Unlike hunting bears or wolves, duck and goose hunting poses minimal risk to your character. You can focus on the task at hand without constantly watching your back.

Prime Hunting Locations

Here are a few prime locations to get started on your animal fat farming journey:

• Dakota River: This river is teeming with ducks and geese. Ride along the banks between Valentine and Cumberland Forest for consistent spawns.
• Lagras: The swamps around Lagras in the Bayou Nwa region are a haven for waterfowl. Be aware of alligators, but the abundance of ducks makes it worthwhile.
• Flat Iron Lake: The shores of Flat Iron Lake, especially near Clemens Point and Rhodes, offer plenty of opportunities to bag some birds.
• Kamassa River: This river snakes through Roanoke Ridge, providing ample hunting grounds.

Essential Hunting Tips

• Use the Varmint Rifle: This rifle ensures clean kills on smaller animals.
• Dead Eye is your friend: Use Dead Eye to slow time and line up your shots, especially when dealing with birds in flight.
• Stay Mobile: Ride along the shoreline to flush out birds. If you stay in one place for too long, the spawns will slow down.
• Pay Attention to the Sky: Geese often fly in flocks, so keep an eye out and be ready to take multiple shots.
• Skin Immediately: Don’t leave carcasses lying around for too long. Skin them immediately to avoid despawning.
• Watch for Predators: While duck hunting is generally safe, always be aware of your surroundings. Wolves, cougars, and alligators can still pose a threat.
• Utilize a Hunting Wagon: If you plan to hunt larger animals for other resources as well, bringing a hunting wagon can help you store multiple carcasses.
• Sell excess meat: After extracting the animal fat, sell the duck and goose meat to a butcher for additional profit.

Combining Animal Fat Farming with Other Activities

While primarily focused on animal fat, you can maximize your time by combining this activity with others:

• Daily Challenges: Many daily challenges involve hunting specific animals or selling items to butchers. Duck and goose hunting can often contribute to these challenges.
• Role-Playing: Hunting is a core aspect of the Trader role. You can use your hunting skills to gather materials for Cripps and contribute to your business.
• Exploring: Use your hunting trips as an opportunity to explore new areas of the map and discover hidden locations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What other animals drop animal fat in Red Dead Online?

Besides ducks and geese, you can also obtain animal fat from:

• Pigs: Found on farms and in pens.
• Boars: Found in forested areas, particularly in the Heartlands and Bayou Nwa.
• Beavers: Found near rivers and lakes.
• Peccaries: Found in the southern regions of the map, like New Austin.
• Pheasants: Found in wooded areas.

Is it better to hunt larger animals for animal fat?

While larger animals like bears do drop animal fat, they are not as efficient as ducks and geese. The time and effort required to hunt larger animals, combined with the risk involved, make them less desirable for animal fat farming. You may get more fat per animal, but you spend more time and effort.

Does the quality of the kill affect the amount of animal fat I get?

No. Unlike pelts, which are affected by the quality of the kill, the amount of animal fat you receive is consistent regardless of how you kill the animal.

Can I craft anything else with animal fat?

Yes! Animal fat is primarily used in crafting recipes, such as:

• Explosive Rounds: Essential for dealing with heavily armored enemies and griefers.
• Fire Arrows: Useful for hunting and combat.

Where is the best place to sell animal fat?

You cannot directly sell animal fat. It is used solely for crafting. Sell the meat from your hunts at any butcher location throughout the map to make some extra cash.

How can I store animal fat?

Animal fat is stored in your inventory under the Materials section. There is no limit to the amount of animal fat you can carry.

Does the weather affect animal spawns?

Yes, weather can impact animal spawns. For instance, rain might make it harder to spot birds in the sky. However, ducks and geese are generally resilient to weather conditions, so you can hunt them in most situations.

What’s the best time of day to hunt ducks and geese?

Ducks and geese are active throughout the day, but dawn and dusk are often the best times to hunt. The lighting is good, and you’re less likely to encounter other players.

Can I use bait to attract ducks and geese?

No, there is no bait specifically designed to attract ducks and geese in Red Dead Online.

How do I avoid being griefed while hunting?

Hunting in remote locations and avoiding populated areas can help minimize the risk of being griefed. Consider playing in Defensive mode to reduce the chances of being targeted by other players.

How do I improve my hunting skills in Red Dead Online?

Practice is key! Experiment with different weapons and hunting techniques to find what works best for you. Reading in-game guides and watching tutorials online can also be helpful.

What are the benefits of the Naturalist role in hunting?

The Naturalist role focuses more on studying and preserving animals rather than hunting them for profit. While it doesn’t directly improve your animal fat farming, it offers unique opportunities to interact with wildlife and learn about their behavior. The role’s focus on sample collection and animal tracking can indirectly help you find more animals.

Is there any way to automate animal fat farming?

Unfortunately, there is no way to automate animal fat farming in Red Dead Online. You must actively hunt and skin animals to obtain the resource.

Where can I learn more about Red Dead Online and related game topics?

Explore resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ and other online gaming communities to enhance your game understanding and connect with fellow players. The GamesLearningSociety.org can offer insight into the social and educational aspects of gaming.

Are there any events or challenges that reward animal fat?

Keep an eye on the Rockstar Newswire and in-game notifications for special events and challenges that may offer animal fat as a reward. These events can provide a boost to your animal fat supply.

By following these tips and focusing on duck and goose hunting, you’ll be swimming in animal fat in no time. Happy hunting!