The cougar hunt and the associated ‘6th Master Hunter Challenge’ are considered to be some of the most challenging and rewarding hunts in Red Dead Redemption 2. These beautiful, graceful animals — fun fact: they’re also known as pumas and mountain lions — are not to be trifled with and can kill oblivious players very quickly due to their speed and high damage.
The best weapons to hunt cougars with are either a rifle or a bow with poison arrows. These weapons are also the best way to obtain the Perfect Cougar Pelt. They sit at the top of their food chain, with only rare altercations with bears and wolves over food and territory. Here’s where to find cougar in Red Dead Redemption 2, and what loot you get after hunting them.
Cougar Loot
Cougars in Red Dead Redemption 2 have a few distinct materials as loot. When skinned, they produce Cougar fur, Big Game Meat, Cougar Fang, and Cougar Carcass. If a cougar has been hunted with either a rifle or a bow, there is also a small chance that it can be skinned for the Perfect Cougar Pelt.
Where to find cougar locations in Red Dead Redemption 2
Cougars most densely populate the southwestern region of New Austin. A smaller number can also be found within Big Valley and north of Roanoke Ridge.
More precisely, the locations most likely to find a cougar are:
- Big ValleyThe area in and around Black Bone Forest, before the road northwest from OwanjilaThe fields of lavender north of Vetter’s EchoCholla SpringsGaptooth RidgeSouth of Rathskeller ForkWest of TumbleweedLemoyneThe area close to Old Harry Fen and Catfish Jackson’sRio BravoBetween Benedict Point and PlainviewRoanoke RidgeBeaver HollowRoanoke ValleyBrandywine Drop, in the upriver forest on both sidesManito GladeEast of Black Balsam RiseKamassa River Falls, near the state border on both sides of the pondThe Heartlands (random only)Tall TreesCochinay
