The Red Dead Redemption 2 Bison or American Buffalo is a massive-sized animal you can hunt while playing the video game developed by Rockstar Studios for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
If you follow the game’s story you’ll be able to hunt your first RDR2 Bison during a Companion Activity you can complete for Charles in Chapter 2.
The American Buffalo in Red Dead Redemption II has three variations. Two of them are Legendary Animals, while the third is the common one you can track and hunt in the areas outlined on our map below.
Our Red Dead Redemption 2 hunting guide reveals the best weapons you can use to take down this large animal. Furthermore, you can see the complete list of crafting materials you can gather from an American Buffalo, and how to use them properly.
Description
“The American Bison is native to the plains of New Hanover and West Elizabeth. As a herbivore, it grazes on grains, hay, and corn. Due to the size of an average bison, high powered weapons like a Carcano Rifle, or a Bow with Improved Arrows, should also be considered when hunting. Bison meat can be used for cooking.”
General Information
| Animal Family: | Bovidae | |||
| Size: | Massive | |||
| Class: | Mammals | |||
| Scientific Name: | Bison Bison | |||
| Variations: | Legendary White Bison, Legendary Tatanka Bison | |||
| Huntable: | Y | |||
| Skinnable: | Y | |||
| Similar Animals: | Grizzly Bear, American Black Bear, Moose, Elk | |||
American Bison Location & Habitat
American Bison Hunting Spots
Recommended Hunting Weapons & Ammo
The table below features the best Red Dead Redemption 2 weapons and ammo choices for scoring perfect quality kills on American Bisons.
| Weapon Type: | Ammo: | |||
| Bow | Improved Arrow | |||
| Poison Arrow | ||||
| Throwable | Poison Throwing Knife | |||
| Rifle | Regular | |||
| Split Point | ||||
| High Velocity | ||||
| Express | ||||
| Sniper (Scoped) Rifle | Regular | |||
| Split Point | ||||
| High Velocity | ||||
| Express | ||||
| Shotgun | Slug | |||
American Buffalo Parts & Crafting Materials
Depending on the quality of your kill you can obtain the following crafting materials and parts. These parts can be sold (see the price table below); or used at the Trapper, Fence or for Camp Upgrades.
| Material: | Sell Price: | Kill Quality: | |||||
| Perfect Bison Fur | $5.00 | Perfect | |||||
| Good Bison Fur | $3.00 | Good | |||||
| Poor Bison Fur | $2.00 | Poor | |||||
| Prime Beef | $0.60 | Any | |||||
| Bison Horn | $0.75 | Any | |||||
| Legendary Tatanka Bison Pelt | $32.50 | Any | |||||
| Legendary Tatanka Bison Horn | Can’t be sold | Any | |||||
| Legendary White Bison Pelt | $32.50 | Any | |||||
| Legendary White Bison Horn | Can’t be sold | Any | |||||
American Bison Meat Cooking Recipes
With the meat you obtain from any RDR2 American Bison; you can cook the following recipes using a variety of aromatic herbs. These recipes require a cooking fire available when you set your camp.
| Recipe Name: | Ingredient(s): | Effect: | |||||
| Plain Prime Beef | Prime Beef Joint x1 | Greatly restores all Cores | |||||
| Thyme Prime Beef | Prime Beef Joint x1, Creeping Thyme x1 | Fully restores Dead Eye Core, greatly restores Health Core and Stamina Core | |||||
| Oregano Prime Beef | Prime Beef Joint x1, Oregano x1 | Fully restores Stamina Core, greatly restores Health Core and Dead Eye Core | |||||
| Minty Prime Beef | Prime Beef Joint x1, Wild Mint x1 | Fully restores Health Core, greatly restores Stamina Core and Dead Eye Core | |||||
RDR2 American Bison Crafting Guide
When you successfully kill a buffalo; you can use the parts obtained from skinning as crafting materials.
Take them to the locations listed below in order to craft unique items.
| Location: | Item Name: | Cost: | Required Materials: | |||||||
| Trapper | Legendary White Bison Hat | $45.00 | Legendary White Bison Pelt | |||||||
| Legendary Boar & Bison Fowlers | $37.00 | Legendary Boar Pelt, Legendary Tatanka Bison Pelt | ||||||||
| Legendary Bison Batwing Chaps | $32.00 | Legendary Tatanka Bison Pelt | ||||||||
| Legendary Bison Vest | $30.00 | Legendary Tatanka Bison Pelt | ||||||||
| Legendary White Bison Coat | $29.00 | Legendary White Bison Pelt | ||||||||
| Legendary Bear Coat | $28.00 | Legendary Bear Pelt, Perfect Bison Pelt | ||||||||
| Bison Gambler’s Hat | $18.00 | Perfect Bison Pelt, Robin Feather x4, Oriole Feather x4 | ||||||||
| Plantation Slouch Hat | $15.00 | Perfect Bison Pelt | ||||||||
| Fence | Bison Horn Talisman | $38.50 | Abalone Shell Fragment, Silver Earring, Legendary Bison Horn | |||||||
| Tatanka Bison Horn Trinket | $16.75 | Legendary Tatanka Bison Horn | ||||||||
| Camp (Pearson) | Fur Horse Blankets | Free | Perfect Coyote Pelt x2, Perfect Bison Pelt | |||||||
| Provisions Satchel | Upgrade Provision Ledger to Level 3 | Perfect Deer Pelt, Perfect Bison Pelt, Perfect Raccoon Pelt | ||||||||
Hunting Tips
Because of its size, the Bison is easily spotted in the wild. At the locations on our map, you’ll most likely find large herds of buffalos. For this animal, you don’t need to use Herbivore Bait, but a scoped rifle is recommended in order to get a clean kill.
Aim for the head and you’ll be able to kill this animal with a single shot.
Did you manage to hunt a buffalo in Red Dead Redemption 2? Share your hunting technique in the comments section and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more gaming guides, video game news, and trailers.
