Cougar

This place is a mess, looks like some bandits came by again. We'd really like you to help us out by cleanin' this mess up.

Cougars (Felis concolor) are a species of predatory cat found throughout western North America at the time of Red Dead Redemption. The animal is also known as the Mountain Lion or Puma. Cougars are known to prey on travelers and their horse throughout the game world, and are notorious for interrupting the player's progress. Cougars may be hunted, skinned and the goods traded with merchants for cash. They can be identified by their distinct growl, which, when you hear it, tells you that one has spotted you and is chasing you.

They are one of the most vicious predators in the game; one strike is enough to kill a horse and two strikes can kill the player. Cougars will also kill the player's horse to knock the player off and then kill them. They often travel in pairs attacking one at a time unless chasing an NPC. Be wary once you've killed and/or skinned one, the second cougar attacks without warning. Cougars most often seem to attack when you are least expecting it and usually are low on Dead Eye so keep some Moonshine handy.

The fifth Master Hunter Challenge requires the player to kill and skin 2 cougars with a knife. It's more easy to do, if your mounted on a horse. Move in circles around a cougar and hit 2 times with your knife to kill easily.

Locations

Cougars are scarce animals to find in Redemption, and the phrase "You don't find cougars, they find you," has arisen because of this. However, there are some areas in which Cougars may spawn frequently. And it appears that they only show up during the daytime just after sunrise.

• Stillwater Creek has many Cougars. After finding an empty campfire, Marston will note that "it is far too quiet around here" and then he will be attacked by one. They will be found in around the marshy areas and tall grass.

• Cougars are sometimes found in New Austin and Nuevo Paraiso on rocky outcrops. They can be found in West Elizabeth around the area of Beecher's Hope in the Great Plains region. Cougars are also common around Rio Bravo in New Austin (aroundFort Mercer and Plainview, specifically around Repentence Rock where they are virtually the only animal that spawns at night). Cougars can also be found in the hills north-west from MacFarlane Ranch.

• Cougars, along with Wolves, Coyotes, and Bobcats, are often found in the random encounter where an NPC is being chased by a gang of predatory animals

• (Multiplayer Only) A large family of Cougars and sometimes Khan the Jaguar lives within the perimeter of the hunting cabin in Tanner's Reach, Tall Trees. There are at least 8 of them and they attack at once, so approach the cabin/area with caution.
• They are frequently found near tree's and grasses around Blackwater.
• Cougars also frequent the road heading southeast from Plainview into Mexico. If you travel this road late at night you are guaranteed to find a cougar if you listen for their distinct roar.

• The are also fairly common north of McFarlane Ranch (Where the picture of a boar is) usually at dawn, dusk and morning. Be very careful, they are known to come in 2's, futhermore be warned when using Bait, Boar(s) can a come in groups of 3.The odd Rattlesnake can appaer.

File:Wildlife.cougars.jpg

Tips and Tricks

Cougars often attack from behind, charging from an unseen spot in the brush. They attempt to stalk and follow the player, giving an opportunity to spot and defend against. They will often snarl audibly just before they attack. Their charge is silent, and they are fast. Cougars within about 4 meters can strike and nearly kill without much warning. Most attacks from other animals will kill you instantly in this state (especially another attack from a cougar), or 1-2 gunshots, depending on the weapon's power. If you are attacked you will also be knocked down and defenseless for a few seconds. If a cougar attacks you on a sloped surface, it is possible he will execute two quick attacks and kills you almost instantly. It is advised the player prepare Medicine when hunting cougars. Also when you get attacked by a cougar they will use hit and run attacks. Attacking the player or horse and then running off, turning around when out of sight, and attacking again.

To effectively hunt cougars, a good strategy is using a firearm, and limiting the open space by situating the player at a cliff's edge or a canyon wall. Be wary of falls. Cougars, once sprinting, will sprint in a straight line. This makes a good clean shot relatively easy with good reaction time. Going into Dead Eye and aiming for the animal's head makes it an easy kill. A powerful revolver or rifle work well.

Hunting cougars with a Hunting Knife can be difficult due to the speed and damage with which the cougar attacks. It is vital the player lets the cougar attack first, and holds down the block button. After the cougar has attacked, two quick slices of the knife should kill it.

The 5th Hunter's Challenge requires that two Cougars be killed and skinned with a Hunting Knife. One of the ways to go about doing this is to have a full Dead Eye meter. When searching for the Cougar a Pistol or Revolver should be equipped. Once the Cougar is spotted go into Dead Eye and put two shots into the Cougar's body, just make sure to avoid shooting it in the head. Once the Cougar has been shot it should run away and it can then be chased down and killed with the Hunting Knife. The Cougar will be injured so it won't put up much of a fight and should be an easy kill.

An alternative method for killing a Cougar with the Hunting Knife is to attack from horseback. Use a pistol to first injure the Cougar and cause it to flee, then chase it down with your horse and attack with the knife.

Be warned however, running over it on your horse will kill it, in this state. This will result with Marston saying "I'm sorry about that old friend." - possibly showing Marston's admiration of the creatures, or possibly a joke from the creators on your failure at stabbing it.

Best time of day to hunt cougars: Night

Best places to find them:

Cueva Seca using bait at the top of the campsite.

JUST south of Fort Mercer (within sight of the fort.)

Achievement

The player must kill a Cougar to contribute to the successful completion of the trophy/achievement:

• Unnatural Selection: Kill one of every animal species in the game in any game mode.