RDR2 Survivalist Challenges: How to Complete All 10

Survivalist mixes fishing, hunting and crafting.

The ranks that usually need real instructions are:

Challenge	Method
Survivalist 4	Learn the recipes before crafting
Survivalist 5	Saint Denis tracks + Bayou Nwa boat
Survivalist 6	Carcass + scavengers
Survivalist 7	Rats or frogs + Small Game Arrows
Survivalist 8	Read the required pamphlets
Survivalist 9	Legendary Fish or another large fish
Survivalist 10	Checklist of 15 species

Ranks unlock in order.

First: unlock fishing

Survivalist is tied to the fishing system.

The normal unlock comes through:

A Fisher of Men

in Chapter 2.

Once fishing is available, start with Bluegill.

Survivalist 1 — catch three Bluegill

Catch three Bluegill.

They are among the most common fish in the game.

Bait

Cheese works well.

Where

Try:

• Flat Iron Lake;
• Dakota River;
• most calm areas containing small fish.

Catch three.

Done.

Survivalist 2 — hand five animals in to camp or the Trapper

They do not need to be different species.

Perfect quality is not required.

Method

While hunting:

1. kill small animals;
2. keep the carcasses or usable animal items;
3. return to Pearson or the Trapper;
4. hand in five.

Combine this with whatever hunting you are already doing.

Survivalist 3 — kill five animals with a Varmint Rifle

Equip the Varmint Rifle.

Kill five animals.

Easy targets include:

• rabbits;
• rats;
• birds;
• other small animals.

Pelt quality does not matter.

Five kills with the rifle.

Survivalist 4 — craft all five required arrow types

Craft one of each:

• Dynamite Arrow;
• Fire Arrow;
• Improved Arrow;
• Poison Arrow;
• Small Game Arrow.

Ingredients

Arrow	Main ingredients
Dynamite Arrow	Arrow + Dynamite + Flight Feather
Fire Arrow	Arrow + Animal Fat + Flight Feather
Improved Arrow	Arrow + Flight Feather
Poison Arrow	Arrow + Oleander Sage + Flight Feather
Small Game Arrow	Arrow + Flight Feather + Regular Shotgun Shell

You need to know the recipes first.

Fire, Improved and Small Game

These recipes are obtained normally early in the game.

Dynamite Arrow

The pamphlet can be found around the southern edge of Wapiti Indian Reservation, near a bridge.

It also becomes available from fences later.

Poison Arrow

The pamphlet can be found in the world northeast of Bacchus Station.

It is also sold by fences.

Read the pamphlets

After picking one up:

Satchel → Documents → Recipes → Read

If you do not read it, the recipe stays locked.

Survivalist 5 — catch a fish from a boat in the Bayou and while standing on railroad tracks

You need two catches.

One from a boat.

One from the railroad.

Part 1: boat

A reliable rowboat area is around Hagen Orchards, southwest of Lagras.

Method

1. Find a rowboat.
2. Get in.
3. Row into Bayou Nwa.
4. Equip the fishing rod.
5. Catch any fish.

You do not need a large fish.

If a canoe does not register

Use a proper rowboat.

Players have reported inconsistent results with some small craft for years.

A rowboat is the safer option.

Part 2: railroad

Go to the railroad south/southwest of Saint Denis.

Find a section running over water.

Method

1. Stand inside the tracks, between the rails.
2. Equip the rod.
3. Cast into the water.
4. Catch one fish.

If it does not count

Stand on the track itself.

Fishing from the edge of the railway bridge can catch a fish without satisfying the location condition.

And check for trains before you start.

Survivalist 6 — kill five scavengers while they are feeding on a corpse

The scavenger needs to be feeding when you kill it.

Method

1. Kill an animal in an open area.
2. Leave the carcass.
3. Move away.
4. Wait.
5. Watch for scavengers.
6. Let one begin feeding.
7. Kill it.

Possible scavengers include crows, vultures, coyotes and others.

Do not shoot too early

Let the feeding animation begin.

Then fire.

Repeat five times.

Survivalist 7 — kill eight small-game animals with consecutive Small Game Arrow shots

Consecutive matters.

A miss can reset the streak.

Using another weapon can reset it.

You need eight one-shot kills with:

Small Game Arrows.

The cave behind Elysian Pool contains rats.

Small targets.

Close range.

No flying.

Method

1. Equip the bow.
2. Select Small Game Arrows.
3. Move through the cave slowly.
4. Find a rat.
5. Get close.
6. Take a safe shot.
7. Kill it.
8. Find the next one.

Do not fire unless the shot is clear.

There is no timer.

Alternative: frogs and toads

The muddy ground north of Saint Denis has frogs and toads.

They barely move.

They are excellent Small Game Arrow targets.

Watch for alligators.

What resets the streak

• missing;
• hitting without killing;
• shooting something that does not count as small game;
• killing with another weapon.

Take eight easy shots.

Survivalist 8 — craft four special weapons

Craft:

• Homing Tomahawk;
• Improved Tomahawk;
• Volatile Dynamite;
• Volatile Fire Bottle.

Recipes and ingredients

Improved Tomahawk

Requires:

• Tomahawk;
• Eagle Feather or Hawk Feather.

The recipe is learned early.

Homing Tomahawk

Requires:

• Tomahawk;
• Owl Feather.

The pamphlet can be found in a cabin south of Moonstone Pond and is also sold by fences.

Volatile Dynamite

Requires:

• Dynamite;
• Animal Fat;
• High Velocity cartridge.

Its pamphlet can be found under a broken wagon at Hani’s Bethel.

Volatile Fire Bottle

Requires:

• Moonshine;
• Animal Fat.

Its pamphlet can be found at an abandoned camp northwest of Horseshoe Overlook.

Read everything

Picking up a pamphlet is only half the job.

Open it.

Read it.

Then craft the item.

Finding an Owl Feather

Owls appear at night.

Look on:

• posts;
• roofs;
• ruins;
• open-country structures.

A commonly used location is the Old Trading Post near Flatneck Station.

Go at night.

Look up.

Survivalist 9 — catch a fish weighing at least 19 lb

19 lb is roughly 8.6 kg.

You need the weight, not one specific fish species.

The easiest solution is a large Legendary Fish if you still have one available.

If your Legendary Fish are already gone

Target large species:

• Lake Sturgeon;
• Muskie;
• Northern Pike;
• Longnose Gar;
• Channel Catfish.

Easy area

Lagras / Bayou Nwa gives you several large species.

Use an appropriate Swamp or Special lure.

If the fish comes in under 19 lb:

keep fishing.

Weights vary.

Survivalist 10 — catch one of every fish species

15 normal species.

Use a checklist.

You do not need every Legendary Fish.

A Legendary version can satisfy the underlying species, but there are still fifteen base fish types to cover.

All 15 fish

Fish	Useful bait/lure
Bluegill	Cheese
Bullhead Catfish	Corn
Chain Pickerel	Corn
Channel Catfish	Swamp Lure
Lake Sturgeon	Lake Lure
Largemouth Bass	Crayfish
Longnose Gar	Swamp Lure
Muskie	Lake Lure
Northern Pike	River Lure
Perch	Bread
Redfin Pickerel	Bread
Rock Bass	Cheese
Smallmouth Bass	Cricket
Sockeye Salmon	River Lure
Steelhead Trout	Worm

Practical route

Lagras / Bayou Nwa

Look for:

• Bullhead Catfish;
• Channel Catfish;
• Longnose Gar;
• Chain Pickerel;
• Lake Sturgeon.

Flat Iron Lake

Look for:

• Largemouth Bass;
• Smallmouth Bass;
• Bluegill;
• Rock Bass;
• Steelhead Trout.

Northern rivers and lakes

Look for:

• Sockeye Salmon;
• Northern Pike;
• Perch;
• Muskie.

Redfin Pickerel

Look in southern rivers and other suitable southern waters.

Use bread.

Do not rely only on the Compendium

Survivalist 10 cares about catches made while the Challenge is active.

A fish discovered fifty hours ago is not automatically progress here.

Watch the Challenge counter.

Use a checklist.

If a fish refuses to appear

Change one thing at a time:

1. check the water type;
2. change bait or lure;
3. move along the shoreline;
4. change time of day;
5. leave and return later.

Do not spend forty minutes throwing cheese into one spot waiting for a Muskie.

Easy way to remember the set

1–3: fishing and Varmint Rifle.

4: five arrows.

5: boat + railroad.

6: scavengers.

7: eight consecutive Small Game Arrow kills.

8: four crafted weapons.

9: big fish.

10: fifteen species.

Unlocks

Rank	Gear
Survivalist 1	Gun Belt
Survivalist 3	Off-Hand Holster
Survivalist 7	Bandolier
Survivalist 10	Holster

Buy the reinforced pieces from the Trapper afterward.

Frequently asked questions

How do I unlock Survivalist Challenges?

Progress until fishing is available through A Fisher of Men, then start catching Bluegill.

Where should I do Survivalist 5?

Use a rowboat in Bayou Nwa and the railroad south/southwest of Saint Denis.

Why did the railroad fish not count?

Stand inside the railroad tracks between the rails.

Standing on the outer edge of the bridge may not register.

What is the easiest Survivalist 7 method?

Rats behind Elysian Pool or frogs and toads near Saint Denis.

Use only Small Game Arrows and do not miss.

What happens if I miss during Survivalist 7?

The consecutive streak resets.

Where can I get an Owl Feather?

Find an owl at night. The Old Trading Post near Flatneck Station is a useful place to check.

What is the easy Survivalist 9 method?

Catch a large Legendary Fish. If those are gone, target Sturgeon, Muskie, Pike, Gar or Channel Catfish.

How many fish species are required for Survivalist 10?

15 normal species.

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More Challenge guides

All RDR2 Challenges

Herbalist

Horseman

Master Hunter

Explorer

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Sources

Red Dead Wiki — Survivalist Challenges

RDR2.org — Survivalist Challenge Guide

GameFAQs — Survivalist Challenges.

Last verified: October 5, 2026.

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