Alan Wake 2 conceals a plethora of extra content beneath the surface of its supernatural story. Between cult stashes and nursery rhymes, there are secrets are tucked in every corner of its semi-open world. Though none are required to see Alan and Saga’s journey through, discovering them rewards players with supplies, upgrades, and other bonus items. Many times, they add a bit of flavor to events as well.
One of the most fitting, given the game’s setting, are the stuffed deer heads mounted in various locales. Diligent players who go the extra mile to find them all will be treated to a special scene along with a trove of supplies. This guide will outline the locations of all 12 deer heads in Alan Wake 2, and where to find their related rewards.
Where To Find All Deer Heads In Alan Wake 2
Though some can be found earlier, it’s recommended for efficiency that players acquire the bolt cutters first and complete this search before the end of Saga's chapter Return 6: Scratch. Players will be notified of a point of no return, after which areas cannot be revisited.
Aside from being able to meet Mayor Setter in Alan Wake 2, there’s another animal-related objective players can seek out during the course of their adventures around Bright Falls. While piecing together case clues in Saga Anderson's mind place, observant players may notice they can interact with the deer head there, and it will whisper to them how many heads remain to be found in the world. There are 12 total stuffed mounted deer heads in Alan Wake 2 scattered throughout its three main regions. All are found in interior spaces such as houses, cabins, and trailers.
Cauldron Lake Deer Head Locations
- In the cabin near the crime scene, along with the Confused? Follow These Steps cult stash puzzle.
- Break into the top left rental cabin with the bolt cutters found during Return 5: Old Gods.
- Witchfinder’s Station, on the first floor.
Bright Falls Deer Heads Locations
- Check the Oh Deer Diner storeroom near the back behind the counter.
- At the Elderwood Palace Lodge, in the room serving as Saga and Casey’s field office.
- Valhalla Nursing House Manor, in the second floor safe room.
- Inside the Valhalla Wellness Center is a room missing a doorknob. After opening it in Return 5: Old Gods, inside will be both the hunting rifle and the head.
- In the Ranger Station. Entering requires bolt cutters found in Return 5: Old Gods.
Watery Deer Heads Locations
While a few here can be found earlier in the chapter, players may be advised to wait until after the Overlap encounter in Return 3: Local Girl, when the entire region becomes accessible.
- In the Suomi Hall safe room.
- Inside the Ranger Cabin at the far north section.
- In the top right trailer at Lighthouse Park. The screwdriver from Coffee World is needed to enter.
- Kalevala Knights Workshop.
Deer Head Rewards Location
After finding all 12 mounts, players should speak again to the head in Saga’s mind place. It will instruct her to “find my twin in the real world.” Astute players will realize they must return to the Bright Falls Elderwood Palace Lodge, to the room there that is the exact replica of Saga's mental space, and interact with the deer head there. Technically, this one is already part of the collection, but perhaps due to its prominent resting place, it is the spiritual head of the herd.
In any case, a live version of the animal will appear and leap towards the end of the hallway with the guest rooms. The deer will go through the previously inaccessible last room on the right before vanishing. With that room now open, players can help themselves to quite a large amount of ammo and health items stored in it.