How did they write Festus out of the gunsmoke series?

Festus Haggen, played by Ken Curtis, was written out of the "Gunsmoke" series after the character became less central to the show's narrative. In the later seasons, Festus was often absent due to Curtis's other commitments and the shift in focus towards other characters. Ultimately, he was given a farewell in the episode "The Bounty Hunter," where he leaves Dodge City to pursue new adventures, allowing for a respectful exit from the series.