The Ultimate Trader's Fortune: A Guide to the Most Profitable Cargo in Red Dead Redemption 2 Online
Howdy, partner. So, you've signed up with the Cripps Trading Company, pitched that worn-out wilderness tent, and are ready to make your fortune in the rugged world of Red Dead Redemption 2 Online. You've probably already learned the basics: hunt, donate materials to Cripps, and wait for him to craft goods for a distant delivery. But if you're staring at that slowly-filling production bar and wondering how to fill it faster and, more importantly, with more profitable items, you've come to the right place.
This guide isn't just about hunting any animal you see. It's about hunting smart. We're going to dive deep into the economics of the Trader role, break down the most valuable carcasses and parts, and show you how to maximize your profits per hour of gameplay. Forget the guesswork; let's build that trading empire.
Understanding the Core Mechanics: Materials vs. Goods
First, let's clear up a common point of confusion. Cripps doesn't just take your donations and turn them directly into good. He converts two things:
- Materials: These are the animal carcasses and parts you donate. They fill the "Materials" bar.
- Supplies: These are procured through a Resupply Mission or purchased for $20. They fill the "Supplies" bar.
Cripps needs both a healthy stock of Materials and a steady flow of Supplies to produce Goods. The rate is fixed: 2 Goods every 2 minutes and 30 seconds, provided he has both. So, our goal is to keep his Materials bar as full as possible with the highest-value items to minimize your hunting time and maximize your time doing other things (or hunting even more).
The Crown Jewels: The Most Profitable Items for Your Trading Business
Not all pelts are created equal. A perfect Whitetail Buck is worth far more than a stringy rabbit. The value of a donation is based on the animal's size, rarity, and most importantly, its quality (star rating).
Here is the definitive list, broken down by category, of the most profitable Trader materials you should be prioritizing.
S-Tier: The Big Game Hunters (Maximum Efficiency)
These are the animals that provide the biggest boost to your Materials bar per donation. A single trip focusing on these can set you up for a long production run.
- Perfect Panther Carcass: The undisputed king of Trader donations. A perfect panther carcass is incredibly valuable, providing a massive 16.25-17.5 materials. They are rare and dangerous, found primarily in the woods south of Braithwaite Manor in Lemoyne and around Lakay. Use a rifle with a scope and Predator Bait.
- Perfect Cougar Carcass: A very close second to the panther. Also worth around 16-17 materials for a perfect carcass. Reliable spawn points include west of Blackbone Forest in West Elizabeth, north of Annesburg in Roanoke Ridge, and just south of Tumbleweed in New Austin. They are aggressive, so be ready with your Rolling Block Rifle or Carcano.
- Perfect Whitetail Buck Carcass: This is the workhorse of the efficient Trader. While slightly less valuable than the big cats (a perfect buck is worth about 12.5 materials), they are far more common. The Heartlands is a veritable paradise for these animals. A short hunting trip can easily net you two or three, filling your Materials bar significantly.
Pro-Tip: The Buck Antler Trinket from the Fence is non-negotiable. It increases the chances of getting a perfect pelt from a three-star animal, even if your kill shot wasn't ideal. This is a game-changer for consistent high-profit hunting.
A-Tier: The Reliable Round-Up
These animals are excellent for consistent, lower-risk hunting.
- Perfect Bison Pelt & Skin: Bison are large, slow, and their pelts are very valuable. A perfect pelt is worth a solid 7.5 materials. You can find herds in the Heartlands and the plains of Hennigan's Stead. Remember, you can only stow one pelt on your horse, but you can also lasso a second carcass and drag it back to camp—a classic Trader technique.
- Perfect Elk Pelt & Carcass: Similar to bison, elk provide high-value pelts (6.88 materials for a perfect pelt). They are common in Big Valley, Cumberland Forest, and Tall Trees. A perfect elk carcass is also a great haul.
- Perfect Moose Pelt: The moose is one of the rarest animals, but its pelt is extremely valuable. If you're lucky enough to find one (try near Lake Isabella or Brandywine Drop), a perfect pelt will give you a nice 8.75 material boost.
B-Tier: Filling the Gaps
When the big game is scarce, these are your go-to options. They are abundant and their parts add up quickly.
- Herons, Spoonbills, and other Exotic Birds: Don't overlook the skies and swamps. The feathers from these birds stack in your satchel, and while each donation is small (around 1.5 materials for a 3-star plume set), you can donate dozens at once after a good farming session in the Bayou Nwa.
- Muskrats, Raccoons, and Badgers: These medium-sized animals yield whole carcasses that are easy to carry. A perfect carcass from one of these can be worth 4-5 materials. They are perfect for filling those last few notches on your Materials bar.
- Legendary Animals (Harriet's Missions): If you have the Naturalist role, Harriet Davenport offers missions to hunt Legendary Animals. These are a Trader's goldmine. Donating a Legendary Animal pelt or carcass to Cripps will fill a massive portion of your Materials bar, sometimes over half. This is arguably the fastest way to stock up, though it's gated behind another role.
The Hunting Strategy: Efficiency is Profit
Knowing what to hunt is only half the battle. Knowing how to hunt efficiently is what separates the part-time trader from the goods baron.
- Camp Location is Key: Set your camp in a region rich with your target animals. For deer and bucks, the Heartlands is unbeatable. For alligators and exotic birds, move to the Bayou Nwa. For cougars and pronghorns, try Great Plains or Hennigan's Stead. A well-placed camp minimizes travel time.
- The Hunting Wagon: Your Mobile Warehouse: The $875 Hunting Wagon from the Stable is the best investment you'll make as a Trader. It can store up to 5 large carcasses or 10 large pelts, and its contents are saved even if you dismiss it. Hunt until it's full, dismiss it, and then call it again at your camp to unload. This protects your hard-earned perfect carcasses from disconnects or griefers.
- Weapon of Choice: Always use the correct weapon for a clean kill. For deer, bucks, and other medium game, the Bolt-Action Rifle with a headshot is perfect. For large game like elk and bison, use a rifle with High-Velocity Ammo. For small game, the Varmint Rifle is essential. A dirty kill on a three-star animal downgrades the pelt, slashing its value.
- The Lasso Trick: You can lasso a second large animal carcass and drag it behind your horse without damaging its quality. This allows you to bring two large carcasses back to camp in one trip.
From Materials to Money: The Delivery
Once Cripps has produced 25, 50, or 100 Goods, it's time for the most profitable part: the delivery.
- Local Delivery (Short Distance): Lower risk, lower reward. You deliver the goods to a nearby location. Pays $500 for a full 100-good wagon.
- Distant Delivery (Long Distance): Higher risk, higher reward. The destination is much farther away, and your wagon will appear as a hostile, targetable blip on other players' maps. Pays $625 for a full 100-good wagon.
The crucial advice: Always do the long-distance delivery for maximum profit, but be prepared. Form a Posse and invite other players. There is safety in numbers, and your posse members will also earn a significant cash and XP reward for helping you, making it a win-win. If you're playing solo and see aggressive players nearby, it might be safer to do a local delivery rather than risk losing $625 worth of work.
By focusing on the most profitable Trader cargo like perfect panthers, cougars, and whitetail bucks, utilizing the Hunting Wagon, and mastering efficient hunting routes, you will transform your Trader business from a slow grind into a well-oiled money-making machine. So get out there, keep your rifle clean, and happy hunting, partner. Fortune favors the bold—and the well-informed.
