Do I need to have a rifle to progress the story?

[Lauriso]

I left the rifle at the hideout, because it's too heavy and I play the sneaky way. I assumed  that if it was a quest item, I wouldn't be able to leave it behind. Now Jeremiah wants me to hunt deer, and later probably the bear.

Do I have to go back and fetch the rifle?

[Mugger]

In the long run yes,

The deer quest can be done without the rifle – just skin any dead deer you find or chase deer into wolves then scare away the wolves,

But you will need it for the old bear

 

[Mixxut]

1 hour ago, Mugger said:

In the long run yes,

 

The deer quest can be done without the rifle – just skin any dead deer you find or chase deer into wolves then scare away the wolves,

 

But you will need it for the old bear

 

 

Actually. No. You can kill animals (including the bear) with flare gun if you have one. No need for the rifle.

[Fuarian]

48 minutes ago, Mixxut said:

Actually. No. You can kill animals (including the bear) with flare gun if you have one. No need for the rifle.

In order to complete the mission you need to hit him with the rifle otherwise it doesn't count.

[Fuarian]

I've always wondered this. Since the game doesn't restrict players from dropping the rifle, would it affect the story down the road? @Patrick Carlson

[Lauriso]

Thanks for your replies!

It's also funny that even though I didn't bring the other rifle, I walked in with two and told Jeremiah so during the cutscene :D.