All language subtitles for Alaska-The.Last.Frontier.S01E01.Before.the.Freeze.720p.WEB.x264-DHD_track3_eng

Narrator:
ALASKA -- THE LAST FRONTIER.

Otto: WE LIVE AT THE EDGE
OF THE WILDERNESS

WHERE NORMAL RULES OF SOCIETY
DON'T REALLY APPLY.

Narrator: THE ONLY RULE
THAT MATTERS IS SURVIVAL.

WATCH OUT! WHOA!

I THINK YOU'VE GOT TO BE
A LITTLE CRAZY TO LIVE UP HERE.

I DON'T HAVE RUNNING WATER.

I DON'T HAVE A TOILET.

Narrator:
LIVING OFF THE LAND IN ALASKA

MEANS A RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK

TO SECURE
ENOUGH FOOD, WOOD, AND SHELTER

TO MAKE IT THROUGH
THE LONG, DARK WINTERS.

SUMMER'S TAKEN UP WITH MADNESS
BECAUSE IT'S THAT IMPENDING DOOM

WHEN EVERYTHING
STARTS TO FREEZE.

NOT HAVING TO BE SUPPORTED BY
THE MAN OR THE GROCERY STORES,

YOU GOT TO GO OUT THERE,
AND YOU GOT TO GET AGGRESSIVE

AND DO WHATEVER IT TAKES
TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

Narrator: ALL OF THIS
MUST HAPPEN BEFORE THE FREEZE.

Atz: IF YOU DON'T RESPECT
MOTHER NATURE, YOU'RE GONNA DIE.

-- Captions by VITAC --
www.vitac.com

CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

Narrator:
ON ALASKA'S SOUTHERN COAST,

ALONG THE RUGGED
KENAI PENINSULA,

THE KILCHER FAMILY
SETTLED 80 YEARS AGO

IN ORDER TO FIND A MORE FREE
AND SIMPLE WAY OF LIFE.

ESCAPING TYRANNY
AND A WAR-TORN EUROPE,

A SELF-SUFFICIENT COMMUNITY
WAS BORN.

Atz: THERE'S A LOT MORE FREEDOM
IN ALASKA.

THAT'S WHY MY DAD CAME HERE
FROM SWITZERLAND.

Otto: HE FEARED HITLER
WAS GONNA TAKE OVER THE WORLD,

AND HE WANTED TO GO FIND A PLACE
WHERE HE COULD FIND UTOPIA.

HE ENVISIONED
THE SUBSISTENCE LIFESTYLE

WHERE YOU'D NEED
AS LITTLE CASH AS POSSIBLE

AND AS LITTLE INTRUSION FROM
THE WORLD AT LARGE AS POSSIBLE.

Atz Lee:
THIS IS WHAT HE CAME UP WITH --

638 ACRES OF HOMESTEAD HERE.

Narrator: YULE KILCHER
HOMESTEADED THE LAND

AND QUICKLY HAD EIGHT CHILDREN
WITH HIS WIFE, RUTH --

SIX DAUGHTERS
AND TWO SONS.

THREE GENERATIONS
OF THE KILCHER FAMILY

STILL LIVE
ON THE HOMESTEAD TODAY.

AMONG THEM
ARE YULE'S SON, OTTO....

Otto:
I HAVE CATTLE, SO I DON'T HUNT.

COWS HAVE AN INTELLIGENCE
THAT IS JUST PROFOUND.

THEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE HINDUS,
YOU KNOW,

AND YOU GO, "OH,
MAYBE THEY'VE GOT SOMETHING

ABOUT THAT COW SACRED [BLEEP]"

WHO KNOWS?

Narrator:
...OTTO'S SON, EIVIN...

Eivin:
TO ME, IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW

WHERE ALL OF MY FOOD
IS COMING FROM.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST REASON

WHY I'M LIVING
THE LIFESTYLE THAT I AM.

I GOT ONE.

OH, MY GOD!
[ LAUGHS ]

Narrator:
...EIVIN'S WIFE, EVE...

I FEEL LIKE I'M SOMEWHERE

IN BETWEEN A HIPPIE
AND A REDNECK SOMETIMES.

Narrator:
...YULE'S FIRST SON, ATZ...

Atz: I'VE ALWAYS SEEN MYSELF
IN THE FAMILY AS THE OLDEST BOY.

LIKE I WAS A PROTECTOR.

AMONG OTHER THINGS,
I PROTECT THE CATTLE

FROM WOLVES AND BROWN BEAR.

Narrator:
...ATZ'S SON, ATZ LEE...

Atz Lee:
MY ROLE IN THE KILCHER FAMILY --

I WAS THE PRIDED BLACK SHEEP
FOR MANY YEARS.

SOMETIMES I KEEP MY EYES
UP AT THE STARS TOO OFTEN

AND DON'T REALIZE
I'M ABOUT TO GO IN A DITCH.

Narrator: ...AND ATZ LEE'S WIFE,
JANE, AND TWO CHILDREN.

Jane: I'M SURROUNDED BY MEN
ALL THE TIME.

THAT'S MY LIFE.
AND MOST OF THE TIME IT'S OKAY.

SOMETIMES I CRACK, AS WOMEN DO.

AT LEAST WOMEN IN ALASKA DO.

Narrator: THEY ARE THE CORE
OF THE KILCHER HOMESTEADERS.

Atz:
A HOMESTEADER IS SOMEONE

WHO CAN MAKE SOMETHING
OUT OF NOTHING

AND FIND WHAT HE NEEDS
TO MAKE IT.

Eivin: IT'S HARD SOMETIMES
LIVING THIS WAY.

I DON'T HAVE RUNNING WATER.

I DON'T HAVE A TOILET.

Narrator: TO ENSURE THEIR
SURVIVAL THROUGH THE WINTER,

THE KILCHERS
MUST ACCOMPLISH THREE THINGS

DURING
THE SHORT ALASKAN SUMMER --

WINTERIZE THEIR HOMES,

STOCKPILE FUEL FOR HEAT,

AND SECURE ENOUGH FOOD FOR
THEMSELVES AND THEIR ANIMALS.

OTTO GAVE UP HUNTING YEARS AGO.

HE RELIES SOLELY ON HIS COWS

TO PROVIDE FOR HIS OWN FAMILY'S
FINANCIAL AND SUBSISTENT NEEDS.

ATZ, ATZ LEE, AND EIVIN
ALL RELY ON HUNTING AND FISHING

TO SECURE THEIR MEAT
FOR THE WINTER.

Atz Lee:
I NEED 100 POUNDS OF SALMON.

I NEED, YOU KNOW,
100 POUNDS OF HALIBUT.

I NEED 150, 200 POUNDS
OF RED MEAT.

Narrator:
ALL OF THIS MUST BE OBTAINED

DURING THE BRIEF FOUR MONTHS
OF SUMMER.

Atz Lee:
WE KIND OF SKIP

THAT WHOLE AUTUMNY, FALL PHASE
HERE IN ALASKA

AND PRETTY MUCH GO STRAIGHT
KIND OF SUMMER AND THEN WINTER.

Narrator:
WINTER IN THIS PART OF ALASKA

MAY SHOW UP AT ANY TIME,
WITHOUT WARNING.

THE ALASKAN SUMMERS HERE
ARE REALLY MANIC AND CRAZY.

YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO DO, SO MUCH
TO DO JUST BEFORE THE FREEZE.

Atz Lee:
AND THEN WINTER HITS.

AND THERE'S NO MORE FIGHTING IT.

I MEAN,
WINTER RULES EVERYTHING.

AND WHAT YOU GOT
IS WHAT YOU GOT.

AND THAT'S GOT TO LAST YOU
THROUGH THE WINTER.

Narrator:
IT'S MID-OCTOBER.

AND ATZ LEE HAS YET TO SECURE
ENOUGH MEAT

FOR HIS FAMILY OF FOUR.

Atz Lee: WELL, YOU ALWAYS KNOW
WINTER'S COMING.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE ALWAYS, "OKAY,
GOT TO GET THIS STUFF DONE.

GOT TO KEEP MOVING,
KEEP MOVING,"

BUT YOU ALWAYS THINK
YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME,

AND YOU CAN PUT SOME STUFF OFF

AND PROCRASTINATE
HERE AND THERE.

Narrator:
WITH TIME RUNNING OUT,

HE HEADS OUT
TO FIND A BLACK BEAR,

WHICH WOULD PROVIDE
SEVERAL HUNDRED POUNDS OF MEAT

TO MAINTAIN HIS FAMILY'S
SUSTENANCE THROUGH THE WINTER.

Atz Lee: MOOSE SEASON'S
CLOSED EVERYWHERE.

I DIDN'T GET A MOOSE
THIS SEASON,

SO BLACK BEAR IS THE LAST CHANCE

OF GETTING SOME MEAT
IN THE FREEZER.

Atz Lee: OH, MORNING.

MIKE SHELLMAN'S A NEIGHBOR
ON THE ROAD HERE

THAT LIVES ON KILTS ROAD.

WHAT YOU GOT?
THAT'S ALL YOU'VE GOT THERE?

YEAH.
I'M TRAVELING LIGHT, SO...

LET'S HOPE THAT THIS LAST STORM
DIDN'T DRIVE AWAY THE BEARS.

Narrator:
WITH HIS FRIEND MIKE IN TOW,

ATZ LEE HEADS OUT
TO MEET HIS FATHER,

WHO'S BEEN SCOUTING AHEAD OF
THE BAY FOR SIGNS OF BLACK BEAR.

MY FATHER -- I MEAN, HE'S OUT
OF AN OLD WESTERN BOOK.

YOU KNOW, IT'S STUFF THAT
YOU THINK HAS BEEN LOST FOREVER,

BUT HE'S LIVING IT STILL.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S BEEN SOMETHING

I WAS JUST ALWAYS BEEN
IN AWE OF.

HOWDY, BOYS!

HOW'S IT GOING?

HOW LONG YOU BEEN HERE?

JUST PULLED IN.

WELL, I GOT
ALL KIND OF NEWS.

THERE COULD BE
A BIG CHANGE OF PLANS.

OH, YEAH?

INSTEAD OF A BLACK BEAR HUNT,
THIS COULD BE A BROWN BEAR HUNT.

Atz: BLACK BEAR HUNTING --
IT'S PRIMARILY FOR MEAT.

PEOPLE DON'T USUALLY HUNT
BROWN BEAR FOR MEAT.

AND THERE'S ONLY TWO WAYS YOU
CAN LEGALLY KILL A BROWN BEAR --

EITHER HAVE A PERMIT

OR TO BE DEFENDING
YOUR LIFE AND PROPERTY.

DID WE LOSE SOME COWS?
BAD NEWS.

OTTO LOST HIS BULL
LAST NIGHT.

YOU'RE KIDDING.

HIS BIG, WHITE BULL.
REALLY?

RIGHT THERE WHERE THE WALLACE
ROAD COMES OUT ON THE FLATS.

YOU KNOW, THE CLASSIC BROWN BEAR
KILL MARKS ON EACH SHOULDER

AND JUST HAS
HIS GUTS EATEN OUT.

THE BEAR
MUST HAVE GOT SCARED OFF.

I DON'T KNOW
ABOUT THE BEAR HUNT TOMORROW

BECAUSE I GOT TO TRY
TO WAIT THERE TONIGHT

AND GET THE BROWN BEAR
WHEN HE COMES BACK FOR THE BULL.

Narrator:
ATZ LEE'S PROCRASTINATION

AND THIS UNFORESEEN SITUATION

HAS PUT HIS HOPE FOR BEAR MEAT
IN JEOPARDY.

IS MORE IMPORTANT
THAN HIS OWN LACK OF BEAR MEAT.

RECENTLY, THE BROWN BEAR
IN THE AREA

HAVE DEVELOPED A TASTE FOR BEEF.

IF WE GET THE BROWN BEAR
TONIGHT, SKIN IT OUT,

WE MIGHT STILL BE ABLE
TO GO AFTER BLACK BEAR.

WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE
WHEN WE GET THERE.

OTTO EVEN TALKED ABOUT MAYBE
SALVAGING SOME OF THE MEAT.

SURE.
IT'S FRESH KILL, YEAH.

IT'S BETTER THAN A ROADKILL.
YEAH.

IT'S LAYING IN THE GRASS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S BLED OUT, SO...

MY JOB WHEN I'M RANGE RIDING,
I HAVE TO CHOOSE.

SOMEONE'S GOT TO WIN.
SOMEONE'S GOT TO LOSE.

AND MY JOB IS COWS WIN,
BEARS LOSE.

Narrator:
ATZ LEE, ATZ, AND MIKE

HEAD OUT TO PROTECT OTTO'S HERD
FROM MORE BROWN BEAR ATTACKS.

BACK AT THE HOMESTEAD,

OTTO CONTINUES HIS PREPARATION
FOR THE FREEZE.

HE MUST GATHER
OVER 80 TONS OF HAY

IN ORDER TO FEED HIS HERD
THROUGHOUT THE WINTER.

OTTO'S CATTLE SPEND
THE SUMMER MONTHS FATTENING UP

THE CATTLE ARE OTTO'S CASH.

THEY'RE USED TO SELL AND BARTER
WITH THE NEIGHBORS.

Otto:
WE CAN'T KEEP THEM AT THE RANCH

BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAY THOSE
MEADOWS FOR THE WINTER FOOD.

I HAVE TO COUNT ON FEEDING
NOVEMBER, DECEMBER,

JANUARY, FEBRUARY,
MARCH, AND APRIL.

RIGHT NOW,
WE ARE WORKING DAWN TILL DUSK

TILL EITHER HELL FREEZES OVER
OR THE COWS COME HOME OR BOTH.

AND SOMETIMES THEY HAPPEN
AT THE SAME DAMN TIME.

Narrator:
SUDDENLY, OTTO HAS A PROBLEM.

DAMN!

WELL, THE THING'S BROKEN.

COULD BE THAT WE BROKE AN AXLE.

IT COULD BE STEERING WENT OUT.

IT'S PRETTY MUCH USELESS
THIS WAY.

IT'S A BAD TIME
FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

Narrator: ALL HAY GATHERING AT
THE HOMESTEAD COMES TO A HALT.

IF OTTO DOESN'T GATHER
ENOUGH HAY BEFORE THE FREEZE,

HIS CATTLE WILL STARVE.

WHILE OTTO IS LEFT TO FIGURE OUT

WHAT TO DO
WITH A BROKEN TRACTOR,

ATZ, ATZ LEE, AND MIKE
CONTINUE ON THEIR JOURNEY

TO PROTECT THE CATTLE
FROM THE BROWN BEAR.

THEY MUST TRAVEL OVER 20 MILES

TO GET WHERE THE CATTLE GRAZE
IN THE SUMMERTIME --

AT THE HEAD OF THE BAY.

Mike: I'M MORE OF A WALKER GUY
THAN A HORSE GUY,

SO I'VE JUST BEEN
KIND OF TRAILING ALONG.

I WAS WALKING UP
BEHIND SENIOR AND JUNIOR.

AND THEY WERE RIDING HORSES
AHEAD OF ME,

AND THEY HAD A PACKHORSE
WITH THEM

AND ALSO A LITTLE COLT
THAT WE'RE TAKING OUT

TO KIND OF GIVE IT
A NEW SHOT ON THE WORLD.

Narrator:
THE COLT'S FIRST TRIP

OUTSIDE THE FENCES
OF THE HOMESTEAD

IS DESIGNED
TO BUILD HER STRENGTH

AND FAMILIARIZE HER
WITH THE AREA.

Atz Lee: THERE IS A PACK OF WILD
HORSES THAT ROAM AROUND UP HERE.

Atz: WILD HORSES
DON'T ONLY GET CURIOUS

ABOUT APPROACHING HORSES
THAT YOU'RE RIDING,

BUT THEY ALSO ARE VERY CURIOUS
ABOUT COLTS.

THEY WILL RUN COLTS SO HARD
JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY

THAT THE COLT FALLS OFF A CLIFF,

FALLS OFF A RIVER,
GETS RUN OVER.

Atz Lee: I DON'T KNOW
IF IT'S ABOUT TRYING

TO KILL OFF THE COMPETITION
OR JUST BULLYING

OR WHAT THE HIERARCHY THERE
OF THE HORSES IS,

BUT THEY -- ABOUT 8 OR 12 OF
THEM TOOK RIGHT AFTER THIS COLT.

HYAH! HYAH!

GET OUT OF THERE!

Narrator: MIKE RUSHES IN

TO HELP THE KILCHERS
TRY TO PROTECT THE COLT.

Atz Lee:
MY DAD STARTED KIND OF YELLING,

TRYING TO CUT THE COLT OUT.

HYAH! HYAH!

HYAH!

I WAS JUST CUTTING
THE -- THE HERD OF THE HORSES.

AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEAR,
"SHOULDER'S OUT!

HOLD ON.
MY SHOULDER'S OUT!"

[ HORSE NEIGHS ]

Narrator: ATZ LEE,
HIS FATHER, ATZ,

AND HIS FRIEND MIKE
ARE OFF ON A MISSION

TO PROTECT OTTO'S GRAZING CATTLE
FROM THE BROWN BEAR.

AND THEY MUST PUT A STOP
TO THIS.

SUDDENLY A PACK OF WILD HORSES
COMES OUT OF NOWHERE

AND ATTACKS THE YOUNG COLT

THAT THE MEN BROUGHT ALONG
FOR THE JOURNEY.

Atz: HYAH! HYAH!

MIKE RUSHES IN TO HELP.

Atz Lee: I WAS JUST CUTTING
THE -- THE HERD OF THE HORSES.

AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, I HEAR,
"SHOULDER'S OUT!

HOLD ON.
MY SHOULDER'S OUT!"

[ HORSES NEIGH ]

Atz: MIKE'S ARM'S KIND OF DOING
THIS KIND OF RAG DOLL THING.

Atz Lee: WE MANAGED TO SCARE OFF
THE HERD OF HORSES.

WE GOT TO GET IT BACK IN.

I MEAN, WE'RE OUT HERE,

AND THERE AIN'T NO GOING BACK
AT THIS POINT.

Atz: IF YOU WAIT FOR A DOCTOR,
YOU'LL BE WAITING A LONG TIME,

'CAUSE THERE AIN'T NO DOCTORS
THAT ARE GONNA COME ALONG.

CAN'T BRING YOU ANYWHERE
ANYMORE, MIKE.

OH, FOR [BLEEP] SAKES!

HOLD ON.
LET ME GET YOUR ARM HERE.

WHEN I SAW
THAT HE WAS COMING ALONG ON FOOT

AND THEN AFTER I SAW
THAT HE GOT HIS ARM RIPPED OUT,

I WAS BEGINNING TO QUESTION

WHY'D I EVEN AGREE
TAKING THIS GUY ALONG.

LET ME SEE
WHAT YOU GOT HERE.

[ CHUCKLES ]
CAVITY.

YEAH. OKAY.

LET'S TRY THAT SAME DOWN,
OVER, AND BACK IN.

Atz Lee: KIND OF WENT TO WORK
TRYING TO SET IT BACK IN.

PUT IT JUST A LITTLE BIT
DOWN HERE THIS WAY, OKAY?

AND HE WAS HAVING
A HARD TIME.

[ GRUNTS ]

[BLEEP] ME.

OKAY.
LET ME BRING YOU DOWN.

JUST DON'T TOUCH THE...

[ CRACK ]

OH.
OH, THERE, THERE.

OH, YEAH.
YOU FEEL THAT, DID YOU?

[ BOTH LAUGH ]

OH!
[ IMITATES CRACK ]

OH.

IT'S LIKE, "EH, UH.
OKAY."

Mike:
SHOULDER IS SORE.

BUT IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS
THAT HAPPENS SOMETIMES.

IT'S WORKING AGAIN NOW, SO...

THAT WAS EXCITING, HUH?
YEAH.

YEAH, IF YOU CAN HUNKER DOWN
HERE A WHILE,

REST YOUR ARM.
GET THE FIRE GOING.

DON'T FORGET TO DO YOUR PHYSICAL
THERAPY WHILE WE'RE GONE.

I'LL GET MY RUBBER BAND OUT

AND TIE IT TO THE BUNK,
AND...

OKAY. WE GOT TO HEAD BACK
FOR THE BROWN BEAR.

Narrator:
WITH MIKE LEFT BEHIND,

ATZ LEE AND HIS FATHER
ARE ON A MISSION

TO FIND THE BROWN BEAR
THAT IS TERRORIZING OTTO'S HERD.

BACK AT THE HOMESTEAD,
OTTO'S BROKEN TRACTOR

HAS DERAILED HIS HAY GATHERING.

THIS PUTS HIS CATTLE
AT RISK OF NOT SURVIVING WINTER.

Otto: I DON'T VISIBLY STRESS OUT
TOO MUCH,

BUT I JUST GOT TO GET
THIS [BLEEP] TRACKER WORKING.

FIXING A FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE
TRANSMISSION

IS ABOUT THE MOST COMPLICATED
THING THAT I CAN THINK OF.

BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT WAY
TO MY DAD.

MY DAD, OTTO, CAN DO ANYTHING.

I DON'T WANT IT
TO BE QUITE THAT EASY.

BUT I'M A LITTLE WORRIED
ABOUT THAT LOWER BEARING.

I'VE DEVELOPED QUITE
A RELATIONSHIP WITH MACHINERY.

TECHNICALLY, I COULD
PROBABLY BUILD THIS TRACTOR

FROM THE GROUND UP.

SO, THIS IS
AN ANAEROBIC ADHESIVE,

AND IT SETS UP
WITH THE ABSENCE OF AIR.

Eivin: WHEN IT COMES
TO LEARNING HOW TO FIX ANYTHING,

WHETHER IT BE FENCES
OR TRACTORS,

MY DAD IS AN AMAZING TEACHER.

REALLY PATIENT.

HE GIVES YOU THE TIME
THAT YOU NEED

TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT
ON YOUR OWN.

EIVIN AND I
HAVE A LOT OF THINGS IN COMMON.

WE ARE BOTH PRETTY MECHANICAL.

MACHINERY-WISE,
EIVIN'S A NATURAL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK,
MR. WIZARD?

Eivin:
WELL, THE BAD NEWS IS...

THAT THE TRACTOR'S [BLEEP]

THIS IS MY ONLY TRACTOR.

IT'S A BAD TIME TO DISCOVER

THAT THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
ISN'T WORKING.

I'M DEFINITELY MORE OF THE
TRYING TO REVIVE OLD STUFF,

REPAIR STUFF, RECYCLE.

I DON'T REALLY LIKE TO BUY
INTO THE SOCIETY --

TURNING THE DOLLARS OVER
LOTS OF TIMES.

SO THE CHOICE IS GONNA BE FIX IT

OR MAKE IT A TWO-WHEEL-DRIVE
TRACTOR FOR A WHILE LONGER.

Eivin: WE CAN PUT
THE FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE UNIT

BACK ON THERE SO IT HOLDS OIL
AND JUST DRIVE IT

AS A TWO-WHEEL-DRIVE TRACTOR
FOR A WHILE.

BUT AS SOON AS IT STARTS
TO FREEZE AND SNOW,

IT'S REALLY NICE TO HAVE
THAT FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE.

Otto:
WITH A LITTLE LUCK,

BY THE END OF TODAY,
WE'LL BE WORKING AGAIN.

[ ENGINE TURNS OVER ]

OLD TRACTORS NEVER DIE.

YOU JUST REPAIR THEM
A LITTLE BIT, YOU KNOW.

Narrator: AS THE SUN SETS
OVER THE HEAD OF THE BAY,

ATZ LEE AND ATZ HEAD OUT

TO PROTECT OTTO'S GRAZING CATTLE
FROM A MENACING BROWN BEAR.

WHAT WAS ONCE CONSIDERED
A PEACEFUL HAVEN

FOR THE CATTLE TO GRAZE

HAS RECENTLY BECOME A FEEDING
GROUND FOR HUNGRY PREDATORS.

Atz: THE BROWN BEAR HAVE
DEVELOPED A TASTE FOR BEEF.

THEY SEEM TO BE LEARNING
THAT EATING CATTLE

IS A LOT EASIER THAN EATING FISH
OR KILLING A MOOSE.

THE HORSES MIGHT SPOOK
WHEN THEY SMELL THE BULL,

SO BE READY.

TRY TO GET INTO A GOOD SPOT

WHERE WE CAN KEEP AN EYE
ON THE KILL HERE.

Narrator:
PROTECTING THE HERD IS KEY.

AND THE KILCHER MEN MUST DO
EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER

TO SCARE OFF
ANY LINGERING BEARS.

WE'RE GONNA TIE UP HERE,
YEAH.

LEAVE THE HORSES HERE.

AND THEN WE'RE GONNA SNEAK
AROUND THE CORNER

ABOUT 100 YARDS
FROM THE EDGE OF THE BUSHES

TO WHERE THE DEAD BULL IS.

Atz: MOST CASES
WHERE BROWN BEAR KILL PEOPLE,

IT'S WHEN THE PEOPLE
STUMBLE UPON A KILL.

THEN THE BROWN BEAR,
TO PROTECT ITS FOOD SOURCE,

WILL ATTACK
AND KILL THE PERSONS.

THERE HE IS.
RIGHT THERE.

DO YOU SEE HIM?

I DO.

OKAY.
JUST WAIT TILL HE STOPS.

DON'T MOVE
TILL HE STOPS.

BROWN BEAR
ARE DESIGNED FOR KILLING.

THAT'S THEIR JOB.
THEY'RE GOOD AT IT.

THERE HE IS.
I SEE HIM.

Atz Lee:
A BEAR IS CHARGING YOU,

THAT'S JUST A HORRIBLE SITUATION
TO BE IN.

YEAH, WE MIGHT OUGHT
TO TAKE A POP.

NOW, SHOOT ON THREE.

ONE, TWO, THREE?
AND THEN SHOOT?

OR SHOOT ON THREE?

ONE, TWO, THREE, SHOOT?

THIS IS A DISCUSSION,
SO...

ONE, TWO, THREE,
SHOOT.

LET'S SHOOT ON THREE.

ONE AND TWO AND POW.

OKAY.
[ GUN COCKS ]

ONE, TWO, AND...

[ GUNSHOT ]

Narrator: ATZ LEE AND HIS FATHER
ARE ON A MISSION

TO FIND THE BROWN BEAR THAT IS
TERRORIZING UNCLE OTTO'S HERD.

THEY MUST BE CAREFUL, HOWEVER,

AS THE BEAR
WILL PROTECT ITS KILL

AND COULD CHARGE AT ANY MOMENT.

THERE HE IS.
RIGHT THERE.

DO YOU SEE HIM?

I DO.

Atz: MOST CASES
WHERE BROWN BEAR KILL PEOPLE,

IT'S WHEN THE PEOPLE
STUMBLE UPON A KILL.

THEN THE BROWN BEAR,
TO PROTECT ITS FOOD SOURCE,

WILL ATTACK AND KILL
THE PERSONS.

YEAH, WE MIGHT OUGHT
TO TAKE A POP.

ONE AND TWO AND POW.

ARE YOU READY?

OKAY.

ONE, TWO, AND...

[ GUNSHOT ]

LET'S WALK OUT THERE.
JUST BE READY TO SHOOT AGAIN.

THERE IT IS.
STRAIGHT AHEAD OF YOU.

Narrator: AS ATZ LEE AND ATZ
APPROACH THE KILL SITE,

THERE'S NO SIGN OF A BEAR.

LET'S LOOK
FOR TRACKS HERE.

YEAH.

THE PRESENCE
OF FRESH PAW PRINTS

SHOWS THEM THAT THE BEAR
WAS FEEDING OFF THE CARCASS.

BUT THEY MISSED
THE ONE SHOT THEY HAD.

Atz: THEY PUT ONE PAW
ON EACH SIDE.

THEY PUT ONE -- ONE PAW
ON THIS SIDE

AND ONE
ON THE OTHER SIDE.

THERE'S GONNA BE A HOLE
ON THAT OTHER SIDE, TOO.

AND THAT'S
HOW THEY BRING THEM DOWN.

NO.

Narrator: NOT ONLY IS ATZ LEE
LOSING HOPE FOR BLACK BEAR MEAT,

THE FAMILY IS LOSING BEEF
TO THE MENACING PREDATORS.

THEY MUST LEAVE THE DEAD BULL

TO AVOID AN ATTACK
FROM THE BROWN BEAR

THAT IS
UNDOUBTEDLY WAITING CLOSE BY

TO PROTECT ITS FRESH KILL.

WELL, WE MADE SOME NOISE.
SCARED OFF THE BEAR.

I THINK
IT'S TIME FOR SUPPER.

Narrator: A NEW DAY
DAWNS AT THE HOMESTEAD.

EIVIN TAKES ADVANTAGE OF ONE
OF THE LAST WARM FALL DAYS

TO FIND A FRESH MEAL.

FRESH MEAT WILL BE NEARLY
IMPOSSIBLE TO COME BY VERY SOON.

Eivin:
IF I WANT TO EAT MEAT,

I ABSOLUTELY WANT TO TRY TO TAKE
PART IN KILLING IT MYSELF.

I TAKE A PART IN THAT CYCLE
OF LIFE IN HUNTING MY MEAT.

BUT I NOTICED ABOUT HALF A DOZEN
PHEASANTS RIGHT IN THE DITCH.

I LOVE PHEASANT.

IT'S A GREAT WAY
TO JUST GET DINNER RIGHT NOW.

I HAD MY .410 SHOTGUN
AND A FEW SHOTGUN SHELLS

AND WALKED DOWN THE ROAD
TO WHERE I FOUND THEM.

[ GUN COCKS ]

THEY HAD MOVED THROUGH THE GRASS
A LITTLE WAYS,

AND I KIND OF
WAS TRYING TO SPOOK THEM,

TRYING TO JUST GET THEM
TO FLY OUT OF THE GRASS,

'CAUSE THEY JUST STAY REAL LOW

AND KIND OF CREEP
THROUGH THE GRASS.

AND THEN ONCE YOU JUST --
JUST ABOUT STEP RIGHT ON THEM

IS WHEN, PHOO, THEY TAKE OFF
IN THE AIR AND FLY.

[ PHEASANT SQUAWKING ]

[ SQUAWKING ]

OKAY, BUDDY.
OKAY.

OKAY.
YOU DID GOOD.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BIRD.

THERE'S DINNER.

PROBABLY ABOUT A 6-POUND BIRD.

A GOOD MEAL FOR TWO
OR THREE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW.

LOOKS A LOT LIKE A CHICKEN.

JUST A LITTLE SMALLER.

I GOT HIM ON THE FIRST SHOT,

BUT HE WAS RUNNING THROUGH
THE GRASS PRETTY QUICK.

I THINK I JUST WINGED HIM.

I REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO RISK
LOSING IT IN THE GRASS

AND HAVING IT DYING
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT,

SO I SHOT IT A SECOND TIME.

BUT, YOU KNOW,
HOPEFULLY THAT MEANS

THAT THERE'S NOT ANY PELLETS
IN THE MEAT

OR TOO MANY PELLETS IN THE MEAT.

IT'S A BUMMER TO HAVE
TO EAT AROUND PELLETS.

THEY HURT
WHEN YOU BITE DOWN ON THEM.

WELL, THANK YOU, PHEASANT.

I'LL TRY TO HARVEST JUST ABOUT
EVERYTHING I CAN FROM THIS BIRD.

Narrator:
THE PROUD HUNTER BRINGS HOME
A FRESH MEAL TO HIS NEW WIFE.

Eivin: I GOT ONE!

[ HAMMERING ]

Eve: OH!

IT'S A MALE.

OH, NICE!

TAIL FEATHERS!

WOULDN'T THOSE MAKE
COOL EARRINGS?

OH, YEAH.
THEY'D BE GORGEOUS.

LOOK AT THAT.

I'VE KNOWN HIM MORE OR LESS
AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.

Eivin: WE'VE BEEN SEEING EACH
OTHER AS A COUPLE ON AND OFF NOW

FOR ALMOST 11 YEARS.

WOW.
THOSE ARE GORGEOUS.

LOOK AT THAT.

EVE LIKES TO MAKE EARRINGS
AND THINGS OUT OF THE FEATHERS.

SO SHE GOT WHAT FEATHERS
SHE THOUGHT SHE LIKED,

AND THEN WE FINISHED PLUCKING
THE BIRD.

OH, THAT'S
WHERE HE GOT SHOT.

MM-HMM.

IT'S IMPORTANT
RIGHT AFTER YOU KILL AN ANIMAL,

YOU ALWAYS WANT TO CLEAN IT.

EVERYTHING THAT'S INSIDE
OF IT --

THE HEART, THE LUNGS, THE
INTESTINES, ALL THAT STUFF --

YOU CLEAN IT OUT
'CAUSE THAT CAN SPOIL THE MEAT.

AND SOME OF THOSE THINGS
YOU CAN SAVE AND EAT THEM,

LIKE THE GIZZARD AND THE HEART.

IT'S GOOD MEAT TO ADD
ALONG WITH IT AND STEW IT UP.

PERFECT.

DINNERTIME.

WE ENDED UP BAKING IT
IN THE OVEN,

AND SOME CARROTS AND POTATOES.

THINK IT'S READY.

OH, YEAH.

LOOKING BEAUTIFUL.

THERE'S SOMETHING
ABOUT AN ALASKAN MAN

THAT YOU JUST CAN'T FIND
ANYWHERE ELSE.

[ LAUGHS ]

THEY'RE JUST CAPABLE, ADEPT,
INGENIOUS, ORIGINAL.

I DON'T KNOW.
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

AND IT'S HARD TO -- TO FIND
THAT KIND OF -- KIND OF MAN.

HONEY,
THIS IS DELICIOUS.

MMM. PERFECT.

Narrator:
WITH EACH PASSING DAY,

ATZ LEE'S CHANCES OF GETTING
ENOUGH MEAT FOR THE WINTER

ARE RAPIDLY DECREASING.

Atz: BEARS ARE ONE
OF THOSE ANIMALS THAT HIBERNATE.

THEY USUALLY START HIBERNATING
ABOUT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

OCTOBER, BEGINNING NOVEMBER,

THEY'RE USUALLY IN THEIR DENS,
SOUND ASLEEP.

Narrator:
WITH PLENTY OF WORK

TO GET READY FOR WINTER
BACK AT THE HOMESTEAD,

ATZ, HIS SON, ATZ LEE,
AND THEIR NEIGHBOR MIKE

ARE FORCED TO HEAD HOME.

THEIR ONLY HOPE
IS THAT THE GUNSHOT WAS ENOUGH

TO SCARE AWAY THE BEARS.

I GOT MY PRE-WINTER CHECKLIST
IN MY MIND.

AND IT'S LIKE, "OKAY, BEAR.

NO, CAN'T CROSS THAT
OFF THE LIST."

Atz:
YOU GOT TO BE PREPARED.

THERE'S ONLY SO MANY WAYS
TO BE PREPARED.

ATZ LEE'S STILL GOT A LOT
OF THINGS TO LEARN.

Narrator:
FACING HAY SHORTAGES,

DEAD CATTLE
AT THE HEAD OF THE BAY,

AND A RAPIDLY APPROACHING
WINTER,

OTTO MUST EXPLORE ALL OPTIONS
TO PROVIDE MEAT TO HIS FAMILY.

Otto: WAISE, SHE'S BEEN IN
THE FAMILY FOR 16 YEARS ANYWAY.

IT'S PRETTY OLD FOR A COW.
SHE'S BEEN OUR MILK COW.

WAISE, COME HERE.
COME HERE, GIRL.

"WAISE" MEANS "ORPHAN"
IN GERMAN.

SHE WAS BORN A YEAR BEFORE
MY WIFE AND I WERE MARRIED.

SHE'S GIVEN US
MANY FINE, YOUNG CALVES.

IF YOU'RE MILKING A COW,
YOU'RE MARRIED TO THAT COW.

IT'S LIKE EVERY MORNING AT 7:00
AND EVERY EVENING AT 7:00.

I HAVE A PRETTY SPECIAL BOND
WITH HER.

Narrator: OTTO KNOWS
THAT THE CHANCES OF WAISE

MAKING IT THROUGH ANOTHER
BRUTAL ALASKAN WINTER ARE SLIM.

I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S GONNA
MAKE IT THROUGH ANOTHER WINTER.

AND I'M THINKING I DON'T REALLY
WANT TO LET HER FREEZE TO DEATH,

STARVE TO DEATH.

SHE GOT SO SKINNY LAST WINTER.
YEAH.

I DON'T WANT
TO SEE HER SUFFER.

YEAH, YOU KNOW, AND EVEN IF
SHE MAKES IT THROUGH THE WINTER,

YOU CAN'T PUT HER AT THE HEAD
OF THE BAY 'CAUSE, YOU KNOW,

A BEAR WILL GET HER,
AS OLD AND SLOW AS SHE IS.

I'M JUST PERSONAL
WITH THE COWS.

THE MORE YOU'VE HAD IT,
SHE'S LIKE A PET.

YOU DON'T REALLY THINK ABOUT
EATING YOUR PETS, YOU KNOW,

AND SHE'S ABOUT HALFWAY PET,
BUT --

IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS,
YOU KNOW, YOU HATE TO DO.

Atz: I THINK OTTO
IS GETTING MORE SENTIMENTAL

AS HE GETS OLDER.

HE CERTAINLY HAS A SPECIAL
AFFECTION FOR OLD WAISE.

COME ON, GIRL.
COME ON.

I THINK IT'S MORE A MATTER
OF RESPECT.

THAT'S A HARD DECISION.

WE NEED THE MEAT.

BUT IF AN ANIMAL DIES
AND YOU HAVEN'T SLAUGHTERED IT,

IT'S QUESTIONABLE
IF THAT MEAT WILL BE GOOD.

YOU JUST DON'T EAT AN ANIMAL
THAT'S DIED ON ITS OWN.

[ SIGHS ] YEAH.

I JUST LOVE THAT OLD COW.

AND I DON'T REALLY
WANT TO DO IT.

BUT LIFE AIN'T EASY UP HERE.

WE'LL SEE.

Narrator:
WINTER IS FAST APPROACHING

THE KILCHER HOMESTEAD,

AND MEAT SHORTAGES THREATEN
THE FAMILY'S SURVIVAL.

WHILE OTTO CONTEMPLATES
SLAUGHTERING WAISE,

THE FAMILY'S MILK COW
OF OVER 16 YEARS,

ATZ LEE CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE TO
PROVIDE FOR HIS FAMILY OF FOUR.

Jane:
OF COURSE ATZ FEELS PRESSURE
TO PROVIDE FOR THE FAMILY.

OH, YEAH, BIG TIME.

WHEN IT'S SUMMERTIME,
THERE IS, LIKE, A TICKING CLOCK

BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO
AND THERE'S SO MUCH TO GET.

AND SUMMER'S QUICK HERE.

IT'S THREE MONTHS,
AND THEN IT'S OUT.

IT'S JUST STRAIGHT TO WINTER.

WE LIVE OFF THE LAND,
SO IF HE DOESN'T GET A MOOSE

OR HE DOESN'T GET A BEAR,
IT SUCKS,

BECAUSE IT'S LIKE,
"HEY, LET'S HAVE SPAGHETTI."

YOU'RE LIKE, "ARE WE GONNA HAVE
FISH SPAGHETTI?

THAT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN.
WHERE'S OUR MEAT?"

SURE IS NICE IF HE PROVIDES.

Narrator:
REFUSING TO GIVE UP,

ATZ LEE HEADS OUT ALONE
TO TRACK DOWN A BLACK BEAR.

Jane: HE DOESN'T GO
SOLO BEAR HUNTING VERY MUCH.

NOT MANY PEOPLE DO.

Atz Lee: HUNTING BEARS OR ANY
ANIMAL SOLO IS ALWAYS DANGEROUS.

IF YOU GET HURT,
THERE'S NOBODY ELSE THERE

TO GO FOR HELP OR TO HELP YOU.

HOPEFULLY, A BEAR WILL BE COMING
FROM THE HIGH COUNTRY,

WHERE IT'S GETTING COLDER AND
THE BERRIES ARE ALREADY GONE.

THEY COME DOWN
INTO THESE CANYONS.

IT'S KIND OF THEIR LAST CHANCE
FOR FOOD BEFORE THE WINTER.

THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE AFTER
RIGHT HERE.

SEE IF I CAN'T GET
A FALL BLACK BEAR.

LAST -- LAST CHANCE.

Narrator: THE TIME HAS COME FOR
OTTO TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISION

ABOUT WHAT TO DO
WITH HIS MILK COW, WAISE.

Otto: OH, MAN, WE GOT THIS
COW -- I'VE HAD HER SINCE BIRTH.

HER MOTHER DIED,
AND SHE WAS AN ORPHAN.

AND SO WE JUST KIND OF
STARTED MILKING HER.

AND THROUGH THE YEARS,
MY DAD ACTUALLY MILKED THIS COW.

AND SHE'S BEEN WITH US
A LONG TIME.

Eivin: BUT AT THIS POINT
IN THE COW'S LIFE, IT'S --

YOU KNOW, IT'S PROBABLY NOT

GONNA MAKE IT
THROUGH THE WINTER.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE THE CHOICE

WHETHER WE WANT TO SAVE IT
FOR THE MEAT

OR LOSE THE MEAT ALTOGETHER AND
HAVE IT DIE OF NATURAL CAUSES.

WE CAN'T REALLY AFFORD TO FEED
IT HAY THROUGH THE WINTER

AND TO KEEP IT ALIVE
IF IT'S JUST GONNA DIE ANYWAYS.

Otto:
ALL OF US NEED MEAT.

SO...

I THINK THE RIGHT THING TO DO

IS, WHILE SHE'S HAPPY,
WHILE THE GRASS IS GREEN,

WHILE SHE'S DOING FINE,

IS JUST BUTCHER HER
AND SALVAGE THE MEAT.

IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO
FOR HER AND FOR MY FAMILY.

Eivin:
PART OF THE WAY OF LIFE HERE.

WE'LL APPRECIATE THE COW
AND THE GIFT THAT IT IS

FOR TIME TO COME.

Otto:
WELL, IT'S GONNA BE HARD

PUTTING A COW THAT YOU'RE
THAT ATTACHED TO,

TURNING INTO, YOU KNOW,
A REAL FAMILY FRIEND --

ISN'T GONNA BE EASY.

AND I'M NOT
LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

AUGUST, MY YOUNGEST, EIVIN,
AND MIKE COME OVER TO HELP.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT
THAT ALL MY CHILDREN

LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS,
BIRTH TO DEATH.

IT'S ALL PART OF THE DEAL.

IT'S NOT A LIGHT THING
TO BE BUTCHERING AN OLD COW.

THE OLDER I GET,
THE LESS I LIKE KILLING THINGS.

GONNA SHOOT HER RIGHT HERE
WHERE SHE'S PEACEFUL

AND DOESN'T KNOW
WHAT'S GOING ON.

IN THIS CASE, I DO NOT HAVE
THE HEART TO PULL THE TRIGGER.

Eivin: MY DAD, HE HAS A HARDER
AND HARDER TIME OVER THE YEARS

WITH WHAT IT MEANS
TO TAKE A LIFE.

IT'S PART OF MY ROLE
AS A PARENT NOW

TO ALLOW AND TO TEACH EIVIN
TO TAKE HIS ROLE,

TO TAKE THE REINS, YOU KNOW?

HE'S GOT TO LEARN TO BE STRONG.

Eivin:
FOR ME, IT'S A VERY BIG DEAL,

AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING
THAT I LIKE TO TAKE LIGHTLY,

TAKING A LIFE LIKE THAT.

I THINK IT'S KIND OF, IN MAYBE
A LITTLE BIT OF A SICK WAY,

A LITTLE BIT OF AN HONOR, TOO.

YOU KNOW, FROM THE TIME
THAT WHEN I WAS YOUNGER

AND I BOTTLE-FED THIS COW
TO THE POINT NOW.

OKAY, EIVIN, I GUESS.

LET ME GIVE HER
A LITTLE MORE HERE.

NOW FIRE.

HEY, GIRL.

Narrator:
IT'S THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

FOR OTTO
AND HIS CHERISHED MILK COW.

AFTER ALMOST 17 YEARS
OF PROVIDING CALVES TO OTTO

AND MILK TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY,

THE KILCHERS HAVE DECIDED
THAT HER TIME HAS COME.

BARELY SURVIVING LAST YEAR, THEY
FEAR THAT THE HARSH WINTER AHEAD

WILL LEAD THE OLD COW
TO AN UNCOMFORTABLE DEATH.

THE MEAT WOULD THEN SPOIL,

AND OVER 400 POUNDS OF BEEF
WOULD GO TO WASTE.

OKAY, EIVIN, I GUESS.

NOW FIRE.

Eivin: HEY, GIRL.

[ GUNSHOT ]

Otto: KILLING YOUR MILK COW
OR ANY ANIMAL IS A SACRIFICE

TO THE EXTENT THAT
YOU'RE TRADING THEIR LIFE

FOR YOUR SUSTENANCE.

THERE'S A DEPTH TO IT.

THERE'S A REVERENCE THERE

AND AN UNDERSTANDING
THAT IT'S A GREAT BIG CIRCLE

AND THAT -- AND THAT
YOU'RE PART OF THAT.

YOU THINK ABOUT
HOW MUCH HAY SHE'S EATEN

AND HOW MUCH GRIEF
SHE'S GIVEN YOU AND ALL THAT.

MY SON EIVIN DID THE TASK.

I'M PROUD OF HIM.

Eivin:
THE TAKING OF LIFE,

IT SHOULD NEVER BE SOMETHING
THAT'S EASY.

IF I WANT TO BE ABLE TO LIVE
A SUBSISTENCE LIFESTYLE

AND EAT MEAT, I HAVE TO BE ABLE
TO KILL THINGS.

SO I HAD TO BE THE ONE
TO ACTUALLY PULL THE TRIGGER.

I LEARNED THIS LIFESTYLE
FROM MY DAD.

Otto:
YOU PASS THIS STUFF ON.

IT'S A CONTINUUM.

I'M GONNA CATCH THE BLOOD
IN THIS,

SO I'LL TAKE THE BUCKET
AND THE KNIFE AND THAT

Narrator: IN ORDER TO KEEP
THE MEAT FROM SPOILING,

OTTO MUST BLEED THE COW
IMMEDIATELY.

THEY THEN SKIN THE COW AND KEEP
THE HIDE FOR FUTURE USE.

AND GO. [ GRUNTS ]

THEY CUT OUT THE ORGANS --

SOME TO EAT,
OTHERS TO FEED THE ANIMALS...

...AND SPLIT THE CARCASS
IN HALF.

AND THERE'S A LITTLE LESS
PERSONAL ATTACHMENT TO IT.

I THINK WE'RE GONNA WIND UP
WITH ABOUT 400 POUNDS OF BURGER.

IT'LL LAST US TILL NEXT FALL.

Narrator:
IN A NEARBY CANYON,

ATZ LEE REMAINS ON A QUEST
FOR HIS OWN MEAT.

HE KNOWS THAT A SINGLE BEAR

COULD FEED HIS FAMILY
FOR THE ENTIRE WINTER,

BUT TIME IS QUICKLY RUNNING OUT.

Atz Lee: THIS IS IT.
I CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE.

IF I WAIT, THE RAIN'S
GONNA TURN INTO SNOW

AND THE BEARS
WILL BE COMPLETELY GONE,

SO THIS IS MY FINAL CHANCE
AT GETTING A BEAR.

GONNA HEAD BACK DOWN
TO THE CANYON ON FOOT HERE

AND CREEP IN THERE
AS QUIETLY AS POSSIBLE,

HEADING TO A SPOT
THAT I FOUND PREVIOUSLY.

Narrator: HUNTING ALONE
IN ALASKA IS DANGEROUS.

Atz Lee: ANY ANIMAL
THAT CAN TAKE YOUR HEAD OFF

WITH A SWEEP OF THEIR HAND
IS DEFINITELY DANGEROUS.

Narrator:
DESPITE HIS CONCERNS,

ATZ LEE'S NEED FOR A WINTER'S
WORTH OF MEAT FOR HIS FAMILY

MAKES IT A RISK HE MUST TAKE.

HE PRESSES ON
DEEPER INTO THE CANYON.

WHILE ATZ LEE CONTINUES
TO SEARCH FOR MEAT,

OTTO HAS SECURED HIS OWN.

IN DEATH, THE PRIZED MILK COW

HAS GIVEN THE FAMILY MUCH-NEEDED
PROTEIN TO SURVIVE THE WINTER.

ONE TIME MY OLD MAN HAD A MOOSE
HANGING IN THE BARN.

AND HE -- "NO, NO,
WE'LL CUT IT UP TOMORROW."

AND IT WAS DAYS AND DAYS
AND DAYS,

AND THE FLY LAID EGGS IN THERE.

AND THEY CRAWLED UP
THE BLOOD VESSELS.

SO YOU'D BE EATING
WHAT YOU THOUGHT

WAS A PERFECTLY GOOD CHUNK OF,
LIKE, POT ROAST.

THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU'RE
SORT OF LIKE, "WHAT THE HELL?"

POP, POP, CRUNCH, CRUNCH.

IT WAS LIKE THESE
LITTLE FRICKING MAGGOTS

ALL IN A ROW IN THERE.

IT WAS LIKE --
OH, IT WAS BAD.

MAYBE WE OUGHT TO
JUST COOK THAT HEART.

GO START UP THE GRILL.

I DIDN'T KNOW
YOU HAD A GRILL.

WELL, YOU KNOW,
MY FIRE PIT.

I HAVEN'T
EATEN ANYTHING TODAY.

I'LL START ON THIS END.

SEE WHAT WE GET HERE.

I'M GLAD I'M NOT
THE KIND OF PERSON

THAT WOULDN'T FEEL SOMETHING

FOR A COW THAT'S BEEN AROUND
FOR 17 YEARS.

I THINK IT'S JUST
KIND OF A SADNESS

TO LET GO OF THAT CHAPTER

THAT THAT COW PUT
IN YOUR BOOK OF LIFE.

OH, DAMN GOOD.

OH, BABY.

WHOO-WHEE!

HUNTING MY OWN FOOD HAS GIVEN ME
A VERY, VERY GOOD PERSPECTIVE

OF WHAT IT MEANS
TO BE A CARNIVORE,

A LOT MORE THAN I THINK
A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE

THAT WOULD JUST BUY THEIR MEAT
AT A GROCERY STORE.

I THINK IT'S KIND OF FAKE,
IN A WAY,

BECAUSE YOU TOTALLY
TAKE AWAY THAT PERSPECTIVE

OF WHAT IT MEANS
TO KILL SOMETHING

AND JUST THINK
THAT YOU CAN EAT MEAT

WITHOUT HAVING TO DEAL
WITH ANY OF THE CONSEQUENCES

I DON'T EVER WANT TO EAT MEAT
THAT GREW UP IN A SLAUGHTERHOUSE

AND WAS KILLED BY THE THOUSANDS.

THAT I KNEW LIVED
A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

AND I KNEW HOW IT LIVED.

Narrator: COMING UP,
ATZ LEE STAYS THE NIGHT

AND CONTINUES HIS FINAL PUSH
FOR BEAR MEAT.

Atz Lee:
ADRENALINE GETS PUMPING,
AND THE FEAR REALLY KICKS IN.

Narrator: AFTER SPENDING A NIGHT
ON THE BEACH

AND RETURNING TO THE CANYON,
EXHAUSTION SETTING IN,

ATZ LEE HASN'T GOTTEN
HIS BLACK BEAR.

AND HE BEGINS TO FEAR
THAT HE'S UNPREPARED MEAT-WISE

FOR THE FREEZE.

HE CONTINUES HIS SEARCH

BUT WORRIES THAT THE BEARS HAVE
ALREADY RETREATED TO THEIR CAVES

TO HIBERNATE FOR THE WINTER.

Atz Lee:
KIND OF HOPING SOMETHING
WOULD COME TRICKLING DOWN,

BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET.

NOT TOO MANY TRACKS,
NOTHING FRESHLY DISTURBED.

EVENTUALLY YOU'VE GOT TO
MAKE THAT CHOICE --

DO I KEEP HUNTING,
OR DO I RETREAT?

WHAT I'VE GOT TO DO RIGHT NOW
IS JUST WALK AWAY.

AND THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO
ABOUT THAT.

YOU KNOW, IT BRINGS YOU DOWN
BECAUSE YOU THINK, LIKE,

"GEEZ, I SPENT ALL THAT TIME
AND ENERGY,"

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU HAD TO WALK
AWAY WITHOUT GETTING THE MEAT.

SO IT'S HARD.

I HAD TO COME HOME FEELING LIKE

I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING
TO CONTRIBUTE

TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN
WORKING SO HARD TO HELP ME OUT.

THE CONSEQUENCES ARE HAVING TO
KIND OF SCRAPE BY THIS WINTER

AND EAT THE SALMON HEADS,
MAKE THE STEWS.

YOU KNOW, IT MAYBE DOESN'T
TASTE THE BEST,

BUT I MADE THE DECISIONS I MADE.

AND NOW I GOT TO DEAL WITH
THE CONSEQUENCES.

Otto: THE FINAL CHAPTER HERE
OF THE COW WAISE.

IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA TO GO INTO
WINTER WITHOUT ENOUGH MEAT.

EVERY YEAR, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER,

I'LL SUPPLY A LITTLE BIT OF MEAT
TO THE VARIOUS PEOPLE

THAT HAVE HELPED ME OUT
WHEN I'VE NEEDED HELP.

YOU'VE GOT A FREEZER,
DON'T YOU, MIKE?

I DO.
THANK YOU, OTTO.

IT'S A WAY OF PAYING THEM BACK.

I CAN DEPEND ON THEM AGAIN,
AND THEY CAN DEPEND ON ME.

AND IT'S A KIND OF GIVE-AND-TAKE
LIFESTYLE HERE.

THERE YOU GO.

I RESPECTED THAT OLD COW.

WE MILKED HER FOR YEARS,
AND NOW SHE'S GOT

THE BEST COTTON-PICKING BEEF
YOU CAN IMAGINE.

EVERYBODY'S NUTS ABOUT IT.

ONE FOR ATZ LEE
RIGHT THERE.

Atz Lee:
WELL, THANK YOU, SIR.

I'M GONNA GO STICK THAT
IN MY FREEZER.

Atz Lee:
I REALLY RELY ON MY UNCLE OTTO.

THE BEEF IS GONNA BE A SAVING
GRACE THIS YEAR, FOR SURE.

HAVING A KIND OF COMMUNITY SENSE
AROUND THE HOMESTEAD

COMES IN REALLY HANDY.

YOU KNOW, I GO OUT
UNSUCCESSFULLY ON BIG GAME,

BUT I'M PRETTY LUCKY
TO HAVE SOME FAMILY

AND GOOD FRIENDS IN MY AREA.

AND WE CAN ALL SHARE
EACH OTHER'S WEIGHT.

OKAY.

I LIVE BY A CODE --

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL,
AND THEN LOVE THEM.

YOUR KIDS ARE YOUR HEREAFTER.

THEY'RE HERE AFTER US.

SO IF YOU WANT TO HAVE
A GOOD HEREAFTER, LISTEN UP.

Narrator: NEXT TIME
ON "ALASKA: THE LAST FRONTIER,"

AS A WINTER STORM BEARS DOWN
ON THE KILCHER HOMESTEAD,

IT'S A MAD SCRAMBLE
TO GET EVERYTHING PREPARED.

THEY MUST GATHER ENOUGH FIREWOOD
TO SURVIVE

AND GET THE COWS HOME
BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.

IT'S ABOUT THE NASTIEST WEATHER
I'VE SEEN OUT HERE.