Ep 10. The Hunters

In season 3 episode 10 of Little House on the Prairie, entitled The Hunters, we see the Ingalls family trying to prepare for the approaching winter. Their worries about food and supplies lead them to go hunting with their neighbor, Mr. Edwards.

The episode starts off with Laura and Mary trying to help their mother prepare for winter. Caroline is worried that they won't have enough food to last them through the harsh winter and decides they need to go hunting. However, Charles is hesitant to take his daughters hunting as he believes it is too dangerous for them. Instead, he suggests that Mr. Edwards joins them, much to the girls' excitement.

As they are getting ready to go hunting, Charles and Mr. Edwards reminisce about when they used to be trappers. Although they haven't trapped in a long time, Charles suggests they try to find some beavers to trap for their pelts. He explains that beaver pelts are worth a lot of money, and they could use the money to buy more supplies for the winter.

While they are out hunting, they come across a group of Native Americans who are also hunting for food. The Ingalls and Mr. Edwards politely ask if they can hunt in the same area, and the Native Americans agree. Later on, as the two groups are hunting separately, Laura and Mary come across a wounded deer. Laura is hesitant to shoot the animal, but Mary convinces her that they need the meat to survive the winter.

As they continue hunting, the Ingalls and Mr. Edwards come across a trap that has caught a coyote. They are initially excited to have caught something, but their excitement turns to horror as they realize that the animal has chewed off its own foot to escape the trap. This prompts them to question the ethics of trapping animals for their pelts.

As they journey deeper into the woods, they come across a group of hunters who have killed many animals, including a mother bear. They also find a young orphaned bear cub. The hunters offer to sell the cub to Mr. Edwards, but he refuses, knowing that the cub belongs in the wild with its mother. Charles is outraged by the hunters' actions and convinces them to leave the area.

Finally, they come across a beaver dam and successfully trap a beaver. However, Charles is conflicted about whether or not they should be trapping animals for their pelts. Mr. Edwards helps him see that it is necessary for their survival and that they are not just killing for sport. They return home with the beaver pelt and discuss what they have learned about hunting and the importance of respecting nature.

Overall, this episode explores the Ingalls family's struggle to survive in the harsh winter and their complicated relationship with hunting. It also touches on themes of respecting nature and the ethics of trapping animals for their pelts. The interaction with the Native Americans and the encounter with the hunters adds tension to the episode and allows for a deeper exploration of these themes. The Hunters is a poignant episode that showcases the show's ability to tackle complex themes while still providing heartwarming family moments.