Well, partner, saddle up and pour yourself a stiff one, because I’m about to regale you with the tale of my epic quest to hunt the most ubiquitous, yet somehow most elusive when you really need one, creature in all of Red Dead Online: the Black-tailed Jackrabbit. Trying to find a specific spot without these hoppy little rascals is like trying to find a sober cowboy at the Saint Denis saloon after payday – darn near impossible! They’re everywhere! Seriously, they breed like… well, rabbits. Trying to pinpoint them is like trying to herd overcaffeinated messenger pigeons – they’re frantic, everywhere at once, and vanish the second you focus. But fear not, after more hours chasing fluff than I care to admit (and enough rabbit carcasses to make Pearson weep with joy), I’ve got the lowdown on where these furry speedsters love to loiter.

The Great Jackrabbit Census: State by State

1. New Austin: Dust and Hops

   • Gaptooth Ridge: These guys practically own the deed here. Ride up and down the length of it, but give Tumbleweed a wide berth – apparently, rabbits have better sense than most outlaws and avoid civilization. You might even snag a few brave souls chilling by the Sea of Coronado shores way out west. Think of them as the desert’s unpaid groundskeeper crew, constantly tidying up the scrub.

   • Rio Bravo: The Gaptooth party spills over slightly south of Benedict Point and along the San Luis River. But the real jackpot? Central Rio Bravo. They swarm from Benedicts Pass east past Mercer Station and Plainview, and even hop along the San Luis southwest of Rio Del Lobo Rock. It’s like a rabbit superhighway out there.

   • Armadillo & East of Twin Rocks: Northeast of Mercer, keep an eye on those train tracks. You’ll spot them hopping around like they own the rails.

   • Cholla Springs: Mostly centered around Lake Don Julio and southeast along the San Luis. Decent, but not the main event.

   • Hennigan’s Stead (The Eastern Jackrabbit Metropolis): This is where the population explodes! They’re thick on the ground everywhere, getting denser as you near West Elizabeth. The absolute hottest spot? The north/northwest shores of Thieves’ Landing and that little island between it and Quaker’s Cove. It’s basically Bunny Vegas. 🐇🎰

1. West Elizabeth: Greener Pastures, Same Furry Faces

   The rabbit rampage continues here, stronger than ever. Seriously, you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting one... except in:

   • Blackwater (Too fancy for rabbit folk)

   • Mount Shann (Probably too cold and high for their delicate constitutions)

   Check the shores of the Aurora Basin and literally any riverbank. They’re the uninvited guests at every waterfront picnic.

2. Ambarino: Bunnies in Snow Boots?

   These desert darlings aren’t exactly built for the Grizzlies, bless their cottontails. You’ll mainly find them huddled in the south, trying to stay warm:

   • Cumberland Forest: Your absolute best bet. They’re relatively cozy here.

   • Dakota River: A prime hoppin' highway.

   • Watering Holes: Look near Cattail Pond, Lake Isabella, Barrow Lagoon, and surprisingly, even up at Cairn Lake (tough little buggers!).

   • Grizzlies East: The Cumberland crowd spreads upriver past Donner Falls, around Calumet Ravine, and infests Grizzlies East. They’re like tiny, fuzzy pioneers claiming the chilly frontier.

3. New Hanover: Rabbitpalooza!

   Hold onto your hats! Jackrabbits run absolutely rampant here. Seriously, it’s an infestation of the cutest kind. Rivers are your golden ticket again, but the real density is found in:

   • Roanoke Ridge: This place is crawling with them. More so than the Heartlands, in my extensive (and slightly obsessive) experience.

   • Van Horn Trading Post & Southwest: The absolute most bountiful hunting grounds in the state. It’s like a rabbit convention decided Van Horn was the place to be. Finding one here is easier than finding regret after drinking cheap moonshine.

4. Lemoyne: Swamp Hoppers

   Even the humid south isn't safe from the floppy-eared takeover!

   • Scarlett Meadows: Harbors a seriously dense population, second only to Roanoke Ridge in sheer bunny chaos. They’re all over, but get particularly thick south of Rhodes, chilling on the central plains between Braithwaite Manor and Caliga Hall. Picture them as tiny, furry plantation owners surveying their grassy domains.

   • Bayou Nwa: An isolated group hangs out just east of Lakay. Brave souls, those swamp rabbits.

   • Bluewater Marsh: A smaller contingent patrols the northern border. Watch your step!

My Top Tips for the Weary Hunter (Learned the Hard Way):

• Small Game Arrows are King: Don't waste your rifle bullets. A clean shot with a Small Game Arrow preserves that perfect pelt. My varmint rifle has gathered dust since I learned this.

• Eagle Eye is Your Best Friend: Seriously. Spotting those little brown blurs against the terrain without it is like trying to find a specific grain of sand on the beach. Activate it constantly while scanning likely areas (riverbanks, open plains, the edges of woods).

• Patience, Padawan: They spook easier than a fresh bounty target spotting a lawman. Crouch, move slow, use cover. Charging in on your horse like a lunatic just sends them scattering like unsecured poker chips in a bar brawl.

• Listen for the Scuttle: That distinctive rustling sound in the underbrush? 9 times out of 10, it's a jackrabbit. Train your ears!

• They WILL Taunt You: Just when you need one for a daily challenge, they’ll vanish like a politician's promise. It’s guaranteed. Pack extra patience (or maybe some aged pirate rum).

So there you have it! The Black-tailed Jackrabbit: nature's furry speed bump, the bane of my existence during specific challenges, and the most reliably abundant creature across five states. Happy hunting! Just remember, they might be common, but catching them when you need to requires the cunning of a fox and the patience of a saint... or at least someone who hasn't run out of coffee yet. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a varmint rifle and a daily challenge list. Wish me luck... I have a feeling I'll need it! 🤠🐇