Ep 15. The Last Hunt

The Last Hunt is the fifteenth episode of the first season of the western television series, Bonanza. The show originally aired on January 6th, 1960 on NBC. The episode was directed by Edward Ludwig and written by Robert Libott.

The episode revolves around a group of hunters who come to the Ponderosa ranch on a hunting expedition. The group is led by Simms, a wealthy businessman and his assistant, Stevens. Simms is an experienced hunter who had hunted all over the world. He has come to the Ponderosa with the intention of killing a grizzly bear, which he had failed to do on his previous expedition. The group is accompanied by Joe Cartwright, who is guiding them through the mountains.

During the course of the hunt, a member of the group is killed by a grizzly bear. The group becomes convinced that the bear is not an ordinary grizzly, but a legendary beast, known as the "Devil Bear". The Devil Bear is said to be a huge and ferocious grizzly that is invincible and cannot be killed by regular weapons.

As the hunt continues, Simms becomes increasingly obsessed with killing the Devil Bear. He offers a large sum of money to anyone who can kill the bear and announces that he will go after the bear alone if necessary. Joe tries to stop Simms, but he refuses to listen.

Meanwhile, Hoss and Ben Cartwright become concerned about the situation. They fear that Simms will endanger himself and the other members of the group. They try to persuade Simms to abandon the hunt, but he remains stubborn.

In the end, Simms sets off alone to hunt the Devil Bear. Joe, Ben, and Hoss follow him, hoping to stop him if necessary. Simms finally confronts the bear and manages to wound it. However, the bear manages to attack Simms and injure him severely. Joe, Ben, and Hoss arrive just in time to save Simms.

The episode ends with Simms realizing the danger he had put himself and others in during the hunt. He apologizes to the Cartwrights and agrees to cancel the hunt. The group leaves the Ponderosa, leaving behind the memory of the "Devil Bear" and the tragedy that had occurred during the hunt.

Overall, The Last Hunt is a thrilling episode that explores the dangers of hunting and the potentially deadly consequences that can arise. It also highlights the importance of respecting wildlife and the environment. The episode features a strong performance from the cast, particularly the guest stars who play the members of the hunting party. It is a must-watch for fans of westerns and fans of Bonanza.