Ever find yourself lining up that perfect shot with a longarm bow, only for your stamina to bottom out right as the elk turns its head? It’s frustrating. Honestly, it’s one of those small mechanics in Red Dead Redemption 2 that can make hunting feel more like a chore than a prestige activity. Most players spend their time hunting legendary animals for fences, but the RDR2 hawk talon trinket is a different beast entirely. You don’t craft it. You don’t hunt a legendary bird for it. You just have to be willing to freeze your boots off in the middle of nowhere to find it.
Where is the Hawk Talon Trinket?
If you're looking for a legendary hawk, stop. There isn’t one. Unlike the Buck Antler or the Wolf Heart, this trinket is tucked away in a lockbox at the edge of the world. Specifically, you need to head to the far northwest of Ambarino.
You're looking for Deadboot Creek.
Basically, you want to follow the creek all the way to its source, west of Colter. If you remember where the game starts in Chapter 1, you’re in the right neighborhood. You’ll find a frozen waterfall, and right at the base of it, there are some pretty grim remains of an explorer and an animal. Among the gear is a small lockbox. Pop it open, and the trinket is yours. No legendary pelts required.
Why this location is a pain
- The Weather: It is brutal. If you aren't wearing your Winter Gunslinger outfit or something equally warm, your health core will tank before you even see the waterfall.
- The Terrain: Deadboot Creek is rocky and snowy. Your horse is going to struggle. Honestly, you're better off walking the last stretch of the creek on foot.
- The Timing: You can actually grab this as early as Chapter 1 if you’re adventurous, but most people wait until the world opens up in Chapter 2.
What does the Hawk Talon Trinket actually do?
The official description says it permanently decreases the speed at which your stamina bar drains by 30% when drawing a bow.
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That sounds like a "nice to have," but in practice? It’s a game-changer for stealth players. When you draw a bow, your stamina starts ticking down immediately. If you're trying to wait for a deer to step out from behind a tree, that 30% buffer gives you those extra seconds of stability. Without it, your aim starts to sway like you’ve had too much of Pearson's stew.
Does it stack with the Ancient Arrowhead?
This is where things get interesting. There’s another item called the Ancient Arrowhead (you get it for finding all the Dreamcatchers). That one gives you a 50% reduction in stamina drain while drawing the bow.
If you have both, they stack.
I’ve seen some testing done by the community where they timed it. Without any trinkets, a full stamina bar might last about 25 seconds under full draw. With the hawk talon trinket, you’re looking at about 36 seconds. But if you have both? You can hold that draw for nearly two minutes. It’s overkill, sure, but it means you never have to worry about stamina while hunting again.
The "Hidden" Update
A lot of old-school players might not even know this trinket exists. That’s because it wasn’t in the original 2018 console release. It was part of the extra content added for the PC launch in 2019, which eventually trickled down to PS4 and Xbox. If you’re playing on a disc version of the game that’s never been updated, you won’t find it.
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Practical Tips for the Trek
Don't just charge into the mountains. Here is how you actually survive the trip to get the RDR2 hawk talon trinket:
- Check your horse's cores: The cold kills horse stamina too. Bring some oatcakes or hay.
- The Fast Travel Trick: If you’ve unlocked fast travel from your camp or use the stagecoach, get as close to Colter as possible. It saves you a twenty-minute ride through the mud.
- Look for the Waterfall: The creek splits a few times, but stay on the main path heading west. The waterfall is unmistakable once you see the ice.
Is it worth the trip?
If you use the bow for 90% of your hunting, yes. Absolutely. If you’re a "run and gun" player who uses a Repeater for everything, you might find the trek a bit tedious just for a passive stat boost. But for the completionists? It’s a mandatory stop.
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The best part is that it’s a permanent upgrade. You don’t have to equip it or wear it; just having it in your satchel applies the effect. It’s one of those "set it and forget it" perks that makes Arthur (or John) feel just a little bit more like a legendary survivalist.
To make the most of your time up north, grab the Cobalt Petrified Wood while you're in the area. It's hidden in a chest under a rock overhang on the north side of Lake Isabella. You'll need it later for the Boar Tusk Talisman, and since you're already freezing your tail off at Deadboot Creek, you might as well knock out both in one go. Just make sure you've got a fresh pot of coffee or some bitters to keep those cores up while you navigate the drifts.