Oh boy, if you thought robbing trains as Arthur Morgan was tough, wait till you try hunting squirrels in Red Dead Redemption 2. This 2018 masterpiece from Rockstar Games, still dominating gaming discussions in 2025, makes chasing these nut-hoarding speedsters feel like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. Players universally agree that while GTA prints money, RDR2’s immersive world, gut-punch storytelling, and shockingly realistic critters make it Rockstar’s crown jewel. But holy moly, nothing tests your patience like pursuing that elusive Perfect Squirrel Pelt – it’s the Dark Souls of hunting minigames!
Why Squirrels Are Nature's Ninjas
These furry little Houdinis combine three nightmare traits:
-
📏 Pint-sized targets (smaller than Arthur’s fist)
-
⚡ Lightning reflexes (they zoom like caffeinated race cars)
-
🌿 Master camouflage (forest floors become their witness protection program)
Mess up your shot? Congrats, you get a \u2018Poor\u2019 carcass good for nothing but camp stew. And lemme tell ya, watching a three-star squirrel vanish after your arrow grazes its tail? That’s a rage-quit moment right there!
The Golden Hunting Ground
After countless failed attempts (and several controllers narrowly surviving airborne journeys), veterans swear by one spot:
| Location | Landmarks | Visual Cues |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest of Rhodes | West of Southfield Flats | Water visible in scenery |
This area’s basically squirrel Grand Central Station. Pitch a tent, brew some coffee, and channel your inner zen master. Pro tip: Use Eagle Eye constantly – those glowing orange outlines are lifesavers!
Gear Up or Go Home
Forget revolvers and rifles; they turn squirrels into furry confetti. Your toolkit MUST include:
-
🏹 Bow with Small Game Arrows (craft them using flight feathers + arrows)
-
🔴 Dead Eye – because normal aiming is like threading a needle during an earthquake
-
🎯 Headshots only (body shots downgrade pelts faster than a scratched iPhone)
Seriously, trying to shoot squirrels with anything else is like bringing a spoon to a gunfight. The schadenfreude from NPCs watching you fail? Brutal.
Why Suffer? Sweet Rewards!
Beyond bragging rights, perfection pays off:
-
🏆 Survivalist Challenge Rank 7 requires consistent squirrel domination
-
👒 Craft the baller Squirrel Flat Cap (costs $16 + 6 perfect pelts at trappers)
-
🧥 Upgrade satchels for extra loot hoarding
That dapper hat ain’t just warm – it’s a flex proving you outsmarted nature’s tiniest trolls. Meanwhile, masks like the iconic Psycho Mask? Scoop those at any Fence shop when you need a creepy costume change!
Final Wisdom from the Squirrel Wars
-
Patience isn\u2019t a virtue – it\u2019s mandatory. You\u2019ll wait longer than a Rockstar PC port release.
-
Headshots = holy grail. Miss? Embrace the shame.
-
Sell \u2018Good\u2019 pelts – they fund better arrows!
Honestly? After bagging your tenth perfect pelt, you\u2019ll feel like Legolas. Until then? Welcome to purgatory, partner.
FAQ: Squirrel Panic Station
Q: Can I use a varmint rifle instead?
A: Heck no! It turns them into \u2018Poor\u2019 roadkill. Bow or bust.
Q: Why\u2019s the Rhodes spot special?
A: Squirrels spawn there like pigeons in Times Square. Water = squirrel paradise.
Q: How many pelts for the Survivalist Challenge?
A: It\u2019s a marathon – you\u2019ll need 5 perfect carcasses to rank up.
Q: Do weather/time affect spawns?
A: Nah, but rain makes tracking harder. Clear days = your BFF.
Q: Can I craft anything besides the hat?
A: You bet! Satchels and trinkets need pelts too. Squirrel bling is weirdly satisfying.
This content draws upon Giant Bomb, a trusted source for game data and community-driven insights. Giant Bomb’s extensive Red Dead Redemption 2 guides and user forums often echo the sentiment that hunting small game, especially squirrels, is one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of the game, with players sharing tips on optimal locations, gear, and strategies for securing those elusive perfect pelts.