How to kill animals in one shot

[Mephisto]

I don't understand, what should I do to get perfect pelts? I know I must kill animal in one shot, but it seems it is impossible. I have already tried to kill over 30 animals (deers, rabbits) using varmint as well as a bow. But no one, even the least rabbit, doesn't die after headshot. What do I do wrong? Maybe there is a small point on the head that counts as headshot point, not the whole head? This drives me crazy...

[Nwah]

First off, if you haven't already, I'd recommend hunting the Legendary Buck before you start hunting other animals. The trinket you can craft from it raises your chances to get higher quality parts from skinning animals.

[GhostyOsty]

Always make sure that your dead eye core is full and your using the right ammo.
Varmint Animals are hunted using Varmint Shots. They only take a single shot. (Rabbits, Rats, Raccons, etc.)
Extremely small animals require 'Small Game' arrows, precisely using dead eye on the head. (Snakes, small bird species, etc.)
Bigger animals or Animals with larger necks are better hunted with a Rifle or Improved Arrows. I use a Carcano Rifle. (Bears, Moose, Large Buck, Allagators, Foxes, Wolves, etc.)
Normal Arrows or using a simpler hunting Rifle (Lanchester) are great for hunting deer, or anything with a tight neck. (Deer, Small Buck, etc.)

[Tashnaladar]

the answer to your question is that it largely depends on what animal you want to collect a "perfect" pelt from. the tiny animals can be downright tricky to bag in perfect condition, but if you are after larger game, then the head is the best place to aim your shot. the varmint rifle wont yield the results you are after tho on larger animals, since it is after all, for varmints. which is just another way of saying "small yet nevertheless annoying animal" like racoons or rabbits. use a bolt action lever rifle, or better yet, at least in my opinion, the carcano. you can never go wrong with the carcano. only downside to it, is you cant fire it without the scope being active since it is, after all, a snipers weapon. not sure if you can aim with the bolt action, never used it much. i just wanted that carcano. lol, i know, long post. but thats what i got. you will notice when aiming at deer or elk or any of the larger animals that you can "whistle" which will cause them to raise their head and look around, making it easier to get that headshot. hope this helped. good luck Mephisto,and good hunting

[nightnight]

You pretty much have to have the gun in top condition, express ammo, and shoot them between the eyes. I have shot a panther's jaw and it wound up not killing or damaging the pelt. It's a pain in the neck.

[Tashnaladar]

i honestly don't find that to be the case with the carcano, i wish i could make vids, always, as long as you hit the head, they drop. and even if it is not instantly, they sometimes run for a bit, then heel over. at that point you can "mercy kill" them, a feature i am glad rockstar added in, it was always heartbreaking for me to see them lie there and bleat ;( they are just so damned realistic. glad i am doing this in a game and don't have to irl

[$2 Hero]

head shots or heart shots. press Q to study the animal and it will tell you which weapon you need. dont worry you just a nub and will become master cowboy in no-time

[言日工]

用改良箭或者春田步枪中空弹爆头三星动物

[clif9710]

Originally posted by Tashnaladar:

i honestly don't find that to be the case with the carcano, i wish i could make vids, always, as long as you hit the head, they drop. and even if it is not instantly, they sometimes run for a bit, then heel over. at that point you can "mercy kill" them, a feature i am glad rockstar added in, it was always heartbreaking for me to see them lie there and bleat ;( they are just so damned realistic. glad i am doing this in a game and don't have to irl

But the mercy shot destroys the value. If it is a 3 star on the initial shot, leaving it to die on its own will retain the value from the first shot. The mercy kill can reduce 3 stars to one.

[Tashnaladar]

oh i am sorry ;( i didn't clarify. when i mentioned mercy kill, i wasn't referring to the use of a firearm, you stand over the dying creature, and you get a button marked "Mercy kill press R" or whatever key it is bound to. your character will then perform a mercy kill using your knife, which will not damage the skin at all. sorry i didn't mention it earlier

[Nwah]

Not sure if it has been mentioned but if you're going for pelt of larger animals, like deer, you can ride up to it on your horse and lasso it so and it allows you to use your knife for a clean kill and unspoiled pelt.