I was suspicious that every hide I got for a day from every animal (bats, boars, even a bear) were all Q27. I was even more convinced when the bones were capped at 27 as well, and angrier when I saw those items bump up to 33 when I pumped survival. Animals were found all over. Found several below Q27 as well (foxes).
Q90 stone axe; not the problem. Wiki says nothing on this, anywhere. Does something else hardcap animals?