Where to find Grizzly Bears and American Black Bears in Red Dead Redemption 2
Locate both Grizzly Bears and American Black Bears in Red Dead Redemption 2, giving you the edge when hunting these predators.
Hunting is one of my favorite activities in Red Dead Redemption 2, and it’s essential to a player’s success in the game. While it’s easy enough to hunt non-aggressive animals, it can be stressful to take out some of the predators in the game. Not only that, but predators tend to not travel in herds, so finding them is a challenge on its own. This guide will show you locations where American Black Bears and Grizzly Bears can be found in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Grizzly Bear Locations
Besides the legendary Bharati Grizzly Bear, there are two locations that I’ve found which consistently have Grizzly Bears. I’ve returned to these time and time again hoping for a clean kill and a perfect hide, and the bears are always in the immediate area to where their icon is on the maps.
Northwest of Wallace Station
There is a Grizzly Bear in the area northwest of Wallace Station in Big Valley, West Elizabeth. This bear can be exactly where the icon is on my map, or it can be in the area around there. Ride in on your horse and, when you get close, your horse will start to spook, letting you know there is a predator in the area.
Southwest of Blackwater
There is at least one Grizzly Bear southwest of Blackwater, in the Tall Trees area of West Elizabeth. It can move around a bit, so best to be on the lookout the moment you leave one of the roads and head toward the bear icon marked on the map. For tips to take it down, try our complete hunting guide for Red Dead Redemption 2.
West of Valentine
This bear is actually west-southwest of Valentine, a bit north from Cumberland Falls. I found it on the cliff above the river (well, my horse found it and started to spook before I saw it). I like hunting this Grizzly Bear more than the one northwest of Wallace Station because there's more open area and it's easier to spot the bear before you're being mauled.
Barrow Lagoon
There is a Grizzly Bear (and a Moose) hanging out at Barrow Lagoon. Once when I was there the Moose was present, and once the Grizzly Bear, but not both at the same time. The bear can be shot from very long range due to the open terrain, and players should never be in danger. Look for it out on the ice.
American Black Bear Locations
I’ve only found American Black Bears in a single location, the locals have told stories of more, and I’ll be heading out to confirm their suspicions shortly. The one that I do know about, however, is there every time, standing in almost the exact same spot, making it an easy kill.
Northwest of Wallace Station
I’ve told you about the Grizzly Bear northwest of Wallace Station, but there’s an American Black Bear even further northwest from there. It’s typically found in a semi-open area north of Watson’s Cabin in Big Valley, West Elizabeth. The best bet for hunting this bear is to take the tracks north past Wallace Station, then cut west along the border of West Elizabeth and Ambarino. I like to sneak down the slope to get a bit closer, then use the Springfield Rifle with a scope to land a clean kill shot to the bear’s heart.
West of Blackwater
To the west of Blackwater is another American Black Bear. This one is near the road to the north of Manzanita Post. This bear is out in the open a bit, and I was able to hit it with a clean kill shot from my horse without having to mess around sneaking through the bushes.
North of Owanjila
There is an American Black Bear spawn location north of Owanjila, in the same place that you can find the Legendary Buck, one of many legendary animals in Red Dead Redemption 2. This bear likes to hide in the trees not far from the open area just below the cliff. I sat on the cliff and used a scoped rifle to shoot this bear. Be very cautious riding through this area.
Now that you know the locations of both Grizzly Bears and American Black Bears, be sure to visit the Red Dead Redemption 2 walkthrough and guide, where we cover all things hunting and fishing, plus much more.
