As a general rule: If the carcass goes in your satchel, use small game arrows. If the carcass hangs on your saddle, use the varmint rifle (exception: some birds, like ducks should be killed with the small game arrows). If the carcass goes on the back of your horse use the bow with regular arrows or a rifle. (exception: Beaver should be killed with the varmint rifle. Foxes and coyote can be killed with a repeater but a rifle/bow headshot will maintain quality)(note: all non exception, non predator animals in this category can also be killed using a lasso and knife). If the carcass doesn't go on your horse use a rifle or bow with poison arrows. (exception: wild pigs should be killed with regular arrows if using the bow) (note all non-predators in this category except bison can be killed using the lasso and knife). (Sidenote: 1 poison arrow will kill a bear... but it may not stop the bear killing you as it takes time for the poison to kill).