You’ve spent hours tracking cougars. You’ve wrestled bears with nothing but a hunting knife. Now, Rockstar Games wants you to find a tiny, screaming marsupial that’s essentially the king of gaslighting. Welcome to Master Hunter 9 rdr2, the penultimate challenge that stops more 100% completion runs than almost any other.
The task sounds simple on paper: "Kill an opossum playing possum."
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But if you’ve been riding around the Heartlands for three nights straight and all you’ve found are mangy coyotes and enough rabbits to feed Saint Denis for a year, you know the struggle. This isn't just about hunting; it’s about timing, location, and not accidentally blowing the little guy to smithereens before he has a chance to faint.
Where the Heck are the Opossums?
First off, stop looking during the day. Seriously. You’re wasting your time. Opossums in Red Dead Redemption 2 are strictly nocturnal. If the sun is up, they’re gone.
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I’ve found that the best place to start is Lone Mule Stead, just southeast of Riggs Station. There’s a specific tree there where they love to hang out. Another goldmine is Ringneck Creek in Lemoyne. If you ride the trails near the water at 2:00 AM, you’ll eventually hear a sound that honestly sounds like a pig getting its toe stepped on. That high-pitched squeal? That’s your target.
Best Spawn Locations
- Lone Mule Stead (Big Valley): Check under the large trees near the house.
- Ringneck Creek (Eris Field): The woods surrounding the creek are dense with them.
- South of Riggs Station: Just wander the hillsides between the station and the river.
- Blackwater Outskirts: If you’re playing as John, the area around Beecher's Hope is surprisingly decent.
The "Playing Dead" Mechanic Explained
Here is what most people get wrong. You cannot just shoot an opossum and call it a day. The game specifically requires the animal to be in its "faint" state.
Basically, you need to spook it. Ride your horse right up to it or run toward it on foot. When the opossum feels cornered, it will let out a final squeal and go limp. It looks dead. Its icon on the mini-map might even turn into a grey "X" or disappear, making you think you’ve already finished the job.
Don't be fooled.
Wait until it’s fully stationary on the ground. Pull out your Varmint Rifle—or even a small game arrow if you’re feeling fancy—and take the shot while it’s playing dead. If you shoot it while it's still waddling away, the challenge won't count. You’ve gotta wait for the drama.
Pro Tips for Master Hunter 9 rdr2
Sometimes the game just refuses to cooperate. Spawns are finicky. If you’re at a known location and nothing is popping up, here is what actually works:
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- The Save/Reload Trick: If you’ve cleared an area and no opossums appeared, manual save and then immediately reload that save. This often forces the world to reset its animal spawns.
- Eagle Eye is Mandatory: Use it constantly. Opossums are small, dark, and they blend into the grass at night. Look for the glowing tracks that lead to a small "Rodent" or "Marsupial" signature.
- Cover Scent: It’s not strictly necessary, but it helps you get close enough to trigger the "fainting" reflex without the animal bolting too far into the brush where you'll lose it.
Why This Challenge Actually Matters
Completing Master Hunter 9 is the only way to unlock the final boss of the hunting world: the Legendary Panther "Giaguaro." You literally cannot find this panther until you’ve dealt with the opossum. Once Master Hunter 9 is checked off, Giaguaro will spawn in the woods south of Bolger Glade (near Shady Belle). This panther is a total nightmare—it’s faster than a normal panther and will kill Arthur in about half a second if you aren't ready with your Dead Eye.
But you can’t get that sweet Legendary Panther Cloak without the opossum. It's the ultimate gatekeeper.
Quick Summary of the "Possum" Strategy
Honestly, just keep your ears open. The sound is the biggest giveaway. Once you find one, don't rush. Chase it until it flops. Check your mini-map; if the dot is gone or turned grey but the body is still there, that's your window.
One shot to the head (or anywhere, really, since quality doesn't matter for the challenge) and you're done. You'll get that notification in the corner of the screen, and you'll finally be ready for Rank 10.
Actionable Next Steps
- Head to Riggs Station around 9:00 PM.
- Ride south toward the river and use Eagle Eye to scan for small animal tracks.
- When you find an opossum, dismount and run toward it.
- Wait for the "faint" animation to complete.
- Shoot it while it's limp on the ground to unlock the Giaguaro hunt.