Duchesses and Other Animals

[TheBaconator]

For the past few days, I have been working on this side mission that is required for the 100% completion of the game. I don’t know what to do, I have been trying to hunt the birds for the first part and they will not spawn in. I’ve found a great video explains the locations of each item, but that’s when I realized it is a five-part mission! I am beside myself at this point, it is the most time-consuming quest I’ve played. This is the thread for those who want to vent about how terrible this quest is if you want. I haven’t even completed the first part yet. 

[GarthAlgar]

That quest is hands down the most tedious and annoying. Your best bet with whichever birds your hunting: sunny weather and noon are the best conditions.

[TheBaconator]

3 minutes ago, GarthAlgar said:

That quest is hands down the most tedious and annoying. Your best bet with whichever birds your hunting: sunny weather and noon are the best conditions.

You are right, the problem is that it has been nonstop fog, so bad that I can't see anything for most of my time on the mission. Add to it that, my horse keeps bucking me off because he is scared, and you got yourself a lovely combination. How long did it take you to complete?

Edited December 5, 2018 by TheBaconator

[Ladyx555]

It takes a long time, and the Hunting quest are even worse lol. But make a save and reload the wether is random.

[rick249kdr]

Spoiler

Kill any bird you see with plumes no matter what part of the quest you're on. You're going to need them all.

It's very tedious but really gets you familiar with the Bayou NWA/Kamassa river region. 

Manual save after every pluck. 

Keep moving along the bank of the river from Caliga Hall to Bluewater Marsh. Then south through the swamps of Lagras. Repeat. You'll get there. Sucks though. 

Spoiler

Grab gator eggs when you can as well.

Probably knew all that already.

[GarthAlgar]

12 hours ago, TheBaconator said:

You are right, the problem is that it has been nonstop fog, so bad that I can't see anything for most of my time on the mission. Add to it that, my horse keeps bucking me off because he is scared, and you got yourself a lovely combination. How long did it take you to complete?

My advice, spread it out. If you're trying to knock out that mission in one day you're gonna drive yourself crazy.

And if the weather isn't sunny, just camp & sleep, or do something else and come back to it.  Using your hunting vision and binoculars while stationary on the horse helps. You don't need to gallop close to the birds ( until they're dead ) bc thats when the gators will get you. Good luck!

[GarthAlgar]

Oh! And another thing I forgot to add. Pluck any of the bayou birds that you happen to kill besides the egrets. Eventually youll need Herons and Spoonbills for future "Duchesses" quests. ( dont bother with the ducks though. ) Same thing goes for any Orchids you come across. Pick em. You'll need em 😉

[Hammer]

Don't try to do all the lists together, break them up.

Shoot everything that flies in the swamps. Use Dead Eye to take down the whole flock. You will eventually need plumes from many birds.

Watch the trees in the swamp, the orchids on the trees are easy to spot in tracking mode

I've got 2 lists left and all I can say is I hope the hat is worth it!!

[TheBaconator]

Thank you all for the advice on the mission, I definitely need it. Surprising how many of you have completed it, as I made the mistake of waiting until after the game was over to start doing the challenges (big mistake). The problem with the orchids on the trees is that they are not marked on your map once they have been picked, so you end up circling back to your last location. This mission is repetitive to the extreme, can't help but feel rockstar decided to take the shortcut on this one and give us a one finger salute, in jest, while they were at it. 

Edited December 6, 2018 by TheBaconator

[Kormath]

I just finished step 4 last night, you can't do the last step until the epilogue if i recall correctly.  Her last letter says she's going away for a bit. 

The Birds are simple,  Go down to where the Dakota River empties into Flat Iron Lake (Bards Crossing).  Ride up the river slowly from there keeping an eye on the boulders along the banks.  Birds spawn on those boulders, you can get all your small birds there. Camp at Bards Crossing until morning, ride all day and camp again when it turns to evening, they don't spawn as much in the evening.  And watch the sky, a lot of the birds will fly down to the river.  Make sure you have the Legendary Buck trinket and use the varmint rifle, you'll get a perfect carcass almost every time.  I farmed the river for birds from Bards Crossing around the bend by Caliban's Seat until you get to the trail crossing northeast of Diablo Ridge.  I'd cross there and ride down the other side of the bank.

Also if you ride out in the brush in The Heartlands, between Twin Stack Pass and Dewberry Creek, and east of the railroad tracks to Emerald Ranch, lots of birds fly over that area.  If you're just looking for flight feathers that's a great place to shoot down birds.  Also a good spot for the sharpshooter challenge 10

Oh and make sure if you get extra birds to sell them before you start the next part of her request.  There's a glitch that if you have an item needed in the next request it won't trigger the mission.

Edited December 6, 2018 by Kormath

[rick249kdr]

@Kormath I think you're referring to the Wildlife Art Exhibition challenge.

 

[Kormath]

11 minutes ago, rick249kdr said:

@Kormath I think you're referring to the Wildlife Art Exhibition challenge.

 

Woops  i am,  sorry need more coffee to get my brain started.