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Narrator: ON THIS EPISODE OF "YUKON MEN"...
THE END OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HUNTING SEASON OF THE YEAR
IS JUST DAYS AWAY...
Look at that. That's a bull track.
...AND VILLAGERS ARE DESPERATE TO STOCKPILE ENOUGH MOOSE MEAT
TO SURVIVE THE COMING WINTER.
Charlie: IF YOU DON'T HAVE MEAT WHEN WINTER STARTS,
LIFE WILL GET REALLY ROUGH.
Narrator: A NEW ARRIVAL FROM THE LOWER 48
STRUGGLES TO ADAPT TO LIFE IN TANANA.
I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 3 WEEKS, AND I'VE LOST 25 POUNDS.
HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO PUT A HARNESS ON.
COME ON, DUSTIN!
Narrator: AND A DEADLY DISEASE THREATENS STAN'S LEAD SLED DOG.
Stan: OH, WOW.
THIS DOESN'T LOOK GOOD AT ALL.
THERE'S SOME BLOOD.
THIS IS GONNA GET EVEN WORSE
WHERE WE MIGHT HAVE TO PUT CRACKERS DOWN.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
Narrator: IT'S THE END OF FALL IN TANANA, ALASKA,
AND THE CLOSE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HUNTING SEASON
OF THE YEAR.
VILLAGERS HAVE JUST TWO DAYS LEFT
TO GET CRUCIAL MOOSE MEAT TO SURVIVE THE WINTER.
Joey: YOU DEFINITELY NEED THE MEAT TO JUST LIVE OFF OF.
WE HAVE NO GROCERY STORE.
WE HAVE TO GO HUNTING EVERY YEAR JUST TO SURVIVE.
Narrator: 22-YEAR-OLD JOEY ZURAY
IS ALREADY ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED HUNTERS IN TOWN,
AND HIS WHOLE FAMILY RELIES ON HIM TO FILL THEIR FREEZERS.
Joey: WE'RE GONNA HEAD UP AND SEE WHAT WE SEE
'CAUSE I NEED A MOOSE -- BAD.
RIGHT NOW, I'M IN BAD SHAPE.
I HAVEN'T SHOT AT A MOOSE YET.
IF I DON'T GET A MOOSE, IT'LL BE A TOUGH WINTER.
Narrator: TWO WEEKS AGO, JOEY LOST PRECIOUS HUNTING DAYS
HELPING HIS FATHER, STAN, PREPARE HIS PROPERTY FOR WINTER.
[BLEEP]
I THINK IT BROKE YOUR PULLEY.
LOOK AT THAT.
THIS SUCKS.
Narrator: AND HE'S BEEN PLAYING CATCH-UP EVER SINCE.
Joey: THE SEASON'S COMING TO AN END.
DEFINITELY GOT TO TRY TO GET OUT THERE
AND GET THEM WHILE YOU CAN.
Narrator: BEFORE HEADING TO THE HUNTING GROUNDS,
JOEY TRAVELS HALF A MILE UPRIVER
TO BORROW GEAR FROM JAMES ROBERTS,
WHO IS JUST AS DESPERATE FOR MEAT.
James: MOOSE IS, BY FAR,
THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD ANIMAL THAT WE HAVE.
I WOULD DREAD TO THINK OF A DAY WHEN THERE IS NO MOOSE
'CAUSE I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT.
Narrator: A WEEK AGO,
A DEADLY VIRUS THREATENED JAMES' DOG TEAM,
AND HE COULDN'T GET OUT ON THE HUNT.
OH, NO. THESE TWO HERE DIED RIGHT THERE.
[ DOG BARKS ]
Narrator: NOW WITH JUST TWO DAYS LEFT IN THE SEASON,
JAMES HAS TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME.
James: I'M ON THE ROPES, YOU KNOW. FREEZER'S PRETTY EMPTY.
REALLY LOOKING FOR FRESH MEAT.
YEAH, I'M HEADING UP TO CLEAR LAKE.
THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD PLACE TO GO.
YEAH.
YOU KNOW, I WAS WONDERING IF YOU HAD A CANOE.
YEAH, I GOT A CANOE.
YOU GOT A TENT?
TENT, STOVE, YEAH. I GOT THAT.
RIGHT ON. RIGHT ON. SOUNDS GOOD.
WHO'S THAT?
OH, YEAH, YEAH. LOVE TO.
YEAH, I'LL RATTLE HIS CAGE AND SEND HIM OUT, TOO.
OKAY.
Narrator: JAMES' 14-YEAR-OLD SON, FRANCIS,
HAS HUNTED SMALL GAME,
BUT HE'S NEVER KILLED A 1,000-POUND MOOSE.
Joey: JAMES BROUGHT ME OUT HUNTING A COUPLE TIMES,
AND HE SHOWED ME SOME GOOD THINGS,
SO I THINK IT'S TIME FOR ME TO REPAY HIM.
PLUS IT'S GOOD TO BRING A GOOD PARTNER TO HUNT WITH --
YOU KNOW, MORE EYES AND EARS OPEN.
YEAH, JUST WORK HIM HARD.
YEAH. WE NEED SOME MEAT.
YEAH.
I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH GUNS AND AMMUNITION.
YOU GOT ALL YOUR BULLETS AND [BLEEP]
YEAH.
MY DAD'S TEACHING ME HIS WAYS,
AND I'M ALSO GOING TO BE LEARNING FROM JOEY.
YEAH, IT'S SUPPOSED TO GET DOWN TO 20 DEGREES.
TONIGHT, YEAH, IT'S GONNA GET COLD.
HE'S BEEN DOING THIS HIS WHOLE LIFE,
SO THERE'S DEFINITELY GONNA BE SOME EXPERIENCE
I CAN LEARN FROM HIM.
AND IT WOULD DEFINITELY MAKE MY DAD PROUD
TO GET A MOOSE RIGHT NOW.
ALL RIGHT, JOEY.
GOOD LUCK, YOU GUYS.
DON'T MISS, NOW.
FRANCIS IS GONNA GO OUT WITH JOEY.
I'M GONNA GO OUT HUNTING, TOO, YOU KNOW,
SO WHEN YOU HAVE TWO DIFFERENT BOATS GOING OUT,
YOUR ODDS ARE GONNA DOUBLE.
Narrator: JOEY AND FRANCIS HEAD 15 MILES SOUTHEAST
TOWARD A SMALL NETWORK OF STREAMS AND LAKES.
WE'RE ON CLEAR LAKE.
YOUR DAD GAVE ME THIS CANOE, SO WE'LL CHECK IT OUT,
AND IF WE DON'T SEE NOTHING, WE'LL PADDLE ACROSS,
AND THERE'S A COUPLE MORE LAKES RIGHT BEHIND IT.
OH, OKAY.
IT'S PRETTY UNCOMMON TO SEE A MOOSE
JUST WALKING AROUND ON THE BAY,
SO YOU GOT TO GO IN THE WOODS AND AROUND THE LAKE.
HOPEFULLY WE JUST RUN INTO SOMETHING AND SNEAK UP TO IT,
YEAH.
Narrator: BACK IN TOWN...
WITH JOEY ON THE HUNT,
HIS FATHER, STAN, RUSHES TO PREPARE THE FAMILY FOR WINTER.
Stan: THERE'S AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT MORE WORK
THAT COMES WITH THE CHANGING OF THE SEASONS.
YOU'RE PULLING OUT ALL YOUR WINTER STUFF
AND CUTTING ALL THE WOOD YOU NEED.
BURN ABOUT 9 CORDS WHEN IT'S 50 BELOW.
IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET EVERYTHING DONE.
Narrator: TO HELP SHOULDER THE LOAD, STAN'S DAUGHTER, KATE,
IS HOME FROM SCHOOL IN FAIRBANKS.
Kate: I FEEL, LIKE, A LOT OF PRIDE
TO BE A PART OF THIS FAMILY AND TO WORK.
I MEAN, MY DAD WORKS SO HARD, AND I'M JUST THERE TO HELP.
ALL RIGHT, KATE.
YEAH. COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.
GOOD TO HAVE A HAND.
I MEAN, IT'S TWICE AS FAST, MAN.
Stan: KATE'S ALWAYS BEEN
THE KIND OF PERSON THAT APPLIES HERSELF REALLY WELL
TO THE THINGS THAT COME ALONG IN HER LIFE.
YEAH, WELL, THANKS. THAT WAS A BIG HELP.
WE'LL GO DO -- GET THE REST OF OUR WORK DONE.
GO FEED DOGS.
IN THE FALL TIME, YOU KNOW,
I START THINKING ABOUT TRAP SEASON,
AND DOGS BECOME A MAJOR FOCUS THEN
BECAUSE YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO AS GOOD AS THEY ARE.
GET UP THERE!
GET UP THERE!
Narrator: LAST WINTER REACHED 70 BELOW,
PUSHING STAN'S DOGS TO THE BREAKING POINT.
Stan: I GOT SOME BLOOD IN THE TRAIL.
THERE'S A BAD CUT.
Narrator: THIS YEAR IS PREDICTED TO BE EVEN COLDER.
AND THE SLED TEAM HAS TO BE READY.
Stan: I HAVE TWO 12-YEAR-OLD DOGS IN THE YARD,
AND THAT'S PRETTY OLD.
I AM DEPENDING ON THE YOUNGER DOGS TO LEARN HOW TO PULL HARD.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'LL HAVE DRIVEN CRACKERS
AND TROT OVER THERE.
OH, WOW.
THIS DOESN'T LOOK GOOD AT ALL.
Kate: OH, WOW.
CRACKERS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A PERFECT REPLACEMENT
FOR DOGS THAT ARE TOO OLD AND I WAS MOVING OUT OF MY TEAM.
SHE'S JUST THE KIND OF DOG I COULD SEE BEING A LEADER.
[ DOGS BARKING ]
Narrator: FOR CENTURIES, MUSHERS HAVE RELIED ON HUSKIES
AND ALASKAN MALAMUTES TO PULL THEIR SLEDS.
TEAMS ARE PACED AND STEERED BY A SPECIALLY TRAINED LEADER.
AND WITHOUT ONE,
TEAMS CAN LITERALLY RUN THEMSELVES TO DEATH,
STRANDING THEIR RIDERS IN THE FREEZING ALASKAN WILDERNESS.
THIS DOG HAS A LOT OF PROMISE,
BUT, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER THAT IS,
SHE'S NOT GONNA MAKE IT THROUGH THE WINTER, YOU KNOW.
YEAH.
Narrator: THE CLOSEST ANIMAL HOSPITAL IS IN FAIRBANKS,
150 MILES AWAY.
THIS TINY TOWN OF 200 PEOPLE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A DOCTOR,
LET ALONE A VET.
Stan: THERE'S NO WAY CRACKERS IS GONNA BE ABLE TO BE A SLED DOG
IF I CAN'T DEAL WITH THAT SOMEHOW.
I'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK ON DOGS THAT HAVE BEEN INJURED
FROM FIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER,
AND I DON'T DO PRETTY MEDICAL WORK.
YOU KNOW, THIS ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT OF MY ABILITY.
THIS COULD HAVE AN IMMENSE IMPACT ON TRAPPING SEASON.
Narrator: 3 MILES NORTH OF TOWN,
TANANA'S LEADING DOG BREEDER, PAT MOORE, IS STRUGGLING
TO PREPARE HIS 38 SLED DOGS FOR WINTER.
Courtney: WE'RE GETTING READY TO GO!
[ DOGS BARKING ]
Pat: WE GOT TO GET GOING.
Narrator: HIS DAUGHTER, COURTNEY, AND HIS SON, THOMAS,
ARE SCRAMBLING TO KEEP UP.
BUT THE FAMILY STILL HASN'T MOVED THE DOGS
FROM THEIR SUMMER CAMP BACK TO THEIR WINTER KENNEL.
[ DOGS BARKING ]
ONE OF THE END STEPS INTO GETTING THE CAMP, YOU KNOW,
CLOSED UP FOR THE WINTER IS BRINGING DOGS HOME.
Narrator: TO EASE THE BURDEN,
PAT HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HIRE AN INEXPERIENCED, NEW HELPER
FROM THE LOWER 48, DUSTIN BAUGHAN.
Patrick: THIS YEAR, IT WAS PRETTY TOUGH
TRYING TO FIND PEOPLE WILLING TO HELP,
AND DUSTIN PEGGED AS MY NUMBER-THREE GUY.
I'M HOPING HE GIVES US A GOOD HAND
AND HELPS US GET THROUGH THIS FALL.
IT'S JUST I HAVE TO SHOW HIM EVERY LITTLE, MINUTE DETAIL
THAT HE'S GOING TO NEED TO KNOW.
THIS IS WHERE WE BRING THE DOGS UP TO.
WE CLIP THEM RIGHT HERE.
EACH TEAM WE CLIP RIGHT HERE, AND WE HARNESS THEM RIGHT HERE.
OH, YOU BRING THEM ALL UP AT THE SAME TIME,
AND THEN YOU HARNESS THEM ALL AT THE SAME TIME?
I DIDN'T GROW UP HERE.
I'M FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
AND THE WHOLE TIME I WAS THERE, ALL I COULD THINK WAS,
"GOD, I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE.
"I HATE THE CITY.
"THIS IS JUST NOT AT ALL WHAT I WANT.
I DON'T WANT TO WAIT TABLES ANYMORE."
DUSTIN, YOU CAN GET US DOGS.
OKAY.
I'M READY.
THIS IS MY VERY FIRST TIME I'LL BE PUTTING HARNESSES ON DOGS.
Baughan: WHEN I FIRST MOVED TO ALASKA,
I WORKED AT A FISH PLANT OUT IN BETHEL.
I'VE LIVED IN THE BUSH BEFORE, SO I THINK I CAN HANDLE IT.
[ DOGS BARKING ]
WE'LL START FROM THE BACK AND WORK FRONT.
OKAY. KIMICK AND GINO.
KIMICK AND GINO?
[ DOGS BARKING ]
Patrick: WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING?
HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO PUT A HARNESS ON.
THE DOGS ARE MY TOP PRIORITY.
IF I HAVE SOMEBODY WITH ME THAT DOESN'T KNOW SOMETHING,
I'LL EXPLAIN IT TO THEM, TELL THEM WHAT WE'RE DOING SO THEY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
PUT THEM BETWEEN YOUR LEGS
AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE FIRM SO THEY DON'T WIGGLE OUT.
PUTTING THESE TWO TOGETHER LIKE THIS.
AND THEN JUST LOOP HIS LEGS THROUGH THOSE.
OKAY.
COURTNEY IS PARTICULAR, AND SHE'S DEMANDING,
BUT SHE'S HAPPY TO TEACH.
GO BRING HIM UP TO MY DAD.
CLIP THAT BACK LINE ON THE --
WHAT'S THE BACK LINE?
YEP.
COME ON, DUSTIN!
DUSTIN'S A SMART KID, AND THERE'S NOTHING LAZY ABOUT HIM,
BUT COURTNEY SHOWED HIM HOW TO HARNESS A DOG,
AND HE WAS NOT DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY.
Baughan: THESE KIDS ARE HARDWIRED FOR THIS LIFESTYLE.
THEY'VE BEEN DOING THIS STUFF SINCE THEY WERE 2 OR 3.
I'M NOT NEARLY AS ACCLIMATED.
I DEFINITELY FEEL LIKE I'M 26 YEARS BEHIND.
Narrator: 10 MILES OUTSIDE TOWN,
CHARLIE WRIGHT IS STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMANDS
OF THE CHANGING SEASONS.
IT JUST NEVER ENDS OUT HERE.
YOU'RE JUST CONSTANTLY RUNNING
FROM ONE SEASON RIGHT INTO THE NEXT.
IT'S TOUGH TO KEEP MY HEAD ABOVE WATER.
AND ON TOP OF THAT, I STILL NEED TO GET A MOOSE.
Narrator: TRAPPING SEASON IS A WEEK AWAY,
AND HE HAS TO PUT HUNTING ON HOLD
TO CHECK A 12-MILE STRING OF FUR TRAPS OUTSIDE OF TOWN
TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE FROM POACHERS.
Charlie: FUR PRICES ARE SO GOOD
THAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE A TRAPPER NOW,
SO I HAVE TO REALLY WATCH THAT TRAPLINE,
OR SOMEBODY'S GONNA STEAL IT FROM ME.
Narrator: OUT HERE, TRAPLINES ARE HANDED DOWN
FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT.
IF THEY'RE NOT KEPT UP,
INTRUDERS CAN MOVE IN AND STEAL THEM.
Charlie: WHAT THE [BLEEP]
I WAS AFRAID THIS WAS GONNA HAPPEN.
THAT'S NOT GOOD.
Narrator: AT THE END OF THE SUMMER,
CHARLIE TRUSTED HIS SON, BOB, TO CLEAR THE LINE.
[BLEEP] THAT SUCKED.
Narrator: NOW THE 20-YEAR-OLD'S FAILURE TO DO SO
COULD COST CHARLIE VALUABLE TERRITORY.
THAT TRAPLINE THAT BOB WAS SUPPOSED TO WORK ON
IS A MONEYMAKER, AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE THAT.
BUT I INHERITED THIS ONE HERE.
MY STEPFATHER, TEDDY, TAUGHT ME HOW TO USE IT.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE A LITTLE PROBLEM.
POACHERS -- THEY'RE SNEAKY.
SOME PEOPLE ARE REAL JEALOUS AND DIRTY DOGS.
SO DISRESPECTFUL.
IT HURTS ME TO HAVE TO GO AND TELL SOMEBODY THAT,
"HEY, THIS IS MY TRAPLINE" WHEN THEY ALREADY KNOW IT.
THAT'S FRESH CUT, SO I EXPECT THEY'RE CUTTING TRAIL.
I'M GONNA RIDE UP AND CHECK IT OUT
AND SEE WHO IT IS AND HAVE A WORD WITH THEM.
YOU NEVER INTRUDE ON SOMEBODY ELSE'S LINE
THAT THEY'VE ESTABLISHED AND BEEN RUNNING FOR YEARS.
THAT'S JUST TOTAL DISRESPECT.
THAT RIGHT THERE IS GROUNDS FOR WAR.
HEY!
THERE HE IS!
Narrator: 10 MILES OUTSIDE OF TANANA,
CHARLIE WRIGHT IS HUNTING POACHERS
WHO ARE MOVING IN ON HIS TRAPLINE.
Charlie: I'VE HAD PEOPLE TRY TO MOVE IN ON ME BEFORE.
YOU JUST DON'T DO THAT TO OTHER PEOPLE
'CAUSE, EVENTUALLY, YOU'RE GONNA RUN INTO EACH OTHER,
AND IT AIN'T GONNA BE GOOD.
HEY! THERE HE IS!
HEY.
[ LAUGHS ] I THOUGHT YOU WERE SOMEBODY ELSE.
I WAS HUNTING YOU.
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
IT WAS JUST MY BOY -- MY SON, ROBERT.
HE'S REALLY SHOWING ME SOMETHING.
HE CLEARED THIS TRAPLINE, AND I'M IMPRESSED.
OH, I'M PROUD OF YOU. GOOD JOB.
Robert: HE'S TRYING TO CATCH ME OFF GUARD,
BUT FEELS GOOD TO LET HIM KNOW THAT I'M NOT A SLACKER.
I WAS HOPING TO HELL IT WAS YOU
'CAUSE I SURE HATE TO HAVE TO BALL SOMEBODY ELSE, YOU KNOW?
YEAH.
GOOD JOB, ROBERT.
Robert: EVERY SINGLE TIME I GO OUT AND EVERYTHING,
I'M ALWAYS TRYING TO PROVE MYSELF.
I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO, BUT THAT'S WHAT I JUST LIKE TO DO.
LET'S GO, BUDDY.
Charlie: THIS IS THE FINAL STEP PREPARING FOR WINTER.
IT'S TIME TO GO GET A MOOSE.
Narrator: 20 MILES SOUTH...
JOEY AND FRANCIS ARE SCOURING THE STREAMS AND SLOUGHS
NEAR CLEAR LAKE LOOKING FOR GAME.
I'M SURE FRANCIS HAS WENT HUNTING,
BUT THAT WAS PROBABLY HIS FIRST TIME MOOSE HUNTING.
IT'S HARD TO TRACK MOOSE. IT DOESN'T COME EASY, YOU KNOW.
YOU DEFINITELY HAVE TO WORK FOR IT.
YOU GOT TO TAKE YOUR TIME AND JUST LOOK AROUND A LOT.
IT'S A LOT OF WORK, BUT IN THE END, IT'S ALL WORTH IT.
Narrator: THEY'VE BEEN TRACKING FOR FIVE HOURS,
AND THEY'RE STILL EMPTY-HANDED.
Joey: MAYBE I'LL HAVE YOU RUN BACK THERE AND --
AND THEN CHECK EVERYTHING OUT?
YEAH, JUST CHECK IT OUT,
SEE IF THERE'S SOMETHING BACK THERE.
ALL RIGHT, TIE IT UP AND GO CHECK IT OUT.
JUST BE QUIET AND JUST LOOK AROUND THE WHOLE LAKE
AND SEE IF YOU SEE SOMETHING.
RIGHT NOW, IT'S KIND OF CRUCIAL THAT I GET A BULL MOOSE.
IF THIS ISN'T A SUCCESSFUL HUNT,
MY DAD WILL HAVE TO ASK OTHER PEOPLE FOR FOOD.
I DON'T WANT TO MISS MY CHANCE AND LET MY DAD DOWN.
There's something right there.
It's a little bit too far away.
I'm gonna go back and tell Joey. He has a scope rifle.
THERE'S A MOOSE BACK THERE.
WHAT?
THERE'S A MOOSE BACK THERE PRETTY FAR OUT.
I CAN'T SEE IT.
IT'S REALLY FAR OUT.
THIS COULD BE THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME MEAT,
AND I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S AROUND THAT CORNER.
Right here. Right here.
OH, I SEE IT.
THERE'S TWO OF THEM.
[BLEEP]
It's a cow and a calf.
Narrator: IT'S ONLY LEGAL TO HUNT MALE MOOSE
TO PROTECT COWS FOR BREEDING.
BULLS ARE IDENTIFIABLE BY THEIR ANTLERS,
AND EVEN ONE INCH OF HORN MAKES FOR A LEGAL KILL.
DAMN IT, FRANCIS.
I KIND OF GOT MY HOPES UP,
AND I THOUGHT THAT COULD BE A BULL MOOSE.
I'M DISAPPOINTED IN MYSELF,
AND JOEY MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT DISAPPOINTED IN ME, AS WELL.
DAMN IT. I WISH THAT WAS A BULL MOOSE.
TIME IS MY BIGGEST PROBLEM RIGHT NOW.
MIGHT HAVE BEEN OUR ONE SHOT.
WE'LL SET UP CAMP, AND WE'LL SIT OUT AT THE LAKE FOR A WHILE.
SOMETHING MIGHT POP OUT STILL.
WHEN I'M HUNTING, I'M NOT GONNA JUST GO HOME
JUST 'CAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN NOTHING.
I'M GONNA STAY OUT THERE AS LONG AS I CAN
TO TRY TO GET THAT ANIMAL.
Narrator: 30 MILES NORTHWEST...
WITH ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT IN MOOSE SEASON,
JAMES CAN'T RISK RELYING ON HIS SON, FRANCIS,
TO BRING HOME ENOUGH MEAT FOR THE FAMILY.
HE'S OUT ON THE HUNT WITH HIS PARTNER, RALPH HOMEBERG.
James: MY HUNTING PARTNER IS ONE OF MY YOUNGER FRIENDS, RALPH.
I'VE BEEN ON MANY TRIPS WITH HIM.
HE'S A REALLY GOOD HUNTER.
WE'LL PROBABLY GO UP AND DOWN EVERYWHERE,
EVERY NAVIGABLE SOURCE, SO...
WE'LL COVER SOME COUNTRY TODAY.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE YOU'LL SEE THEM.
I KNOW THEY LIKE LAKES AND CREEKS AND SLOUGHS.
WE'LL STOP HERE AND CHECK THIS LITTLE LAKE OUT.
OVER THE YEARS, I'VE HUNTED SO MANY SPOTS,
THEN I FOUND CERTAIN AREAS THAT I JUST KNOW WHERE TO GO.
BUT EVERY YEAR'S DIFFERENT.
YOU JUST GOT TO TRUST YOUR EXPERIENCE
AND PRACTICE THE RIGHT TECHNIQUE.
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ART OF IMITATION.
YOU KNOW, WE USE PLASTIC COFFEE CANS AND ROPE
TO IMITATE THE SOUNDS THAT THEY MAKE
IN THEIR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
[ MOOSE CALL SOUNDS ]
[ MOOSE CALL SOUNDS ]
YOU PUT A STRING THROUGH THE END OF A COFFEE CAN,
THEN YOU GET THAT STRING WET, AND YOU PULL ON IT,
AND IT GIVES A DISTINCT SOUND LIKE A BULL GRUNTING.
[ MOOSE CALL SOUNDS ]
IF YOU CAN TALK ON THEIR LANGUAGE,
THEN YOU'RE GONNA BE SOMEWHERE WITH THEM,
AND THEN YOU CAN GET THEM.
Narrator: AFTER CALLING A MOOSE, HUNTERS WILL LEAVE THE AREA
AND RETURN LATER,
HOPING TO CATCH THE ANSWERING MOOSE OFF GUARD.
BACK IN TOWN...
STAN'S LEAD SLED DOG IS FACING A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING
MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
Stan: YEAH, THIS IS NOT GOOD.
IT'S ONLY GONNA GET WORSE.
THERE'S NO WAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT CURES ITSELF.
Narrator: THERE'S NO VET IN TANANA.
THE ONLY POSSIBLE HELP IS A PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT
IN FROM FAIRBANKS PART-TIME.
Stan: THIS FELLOW, JOHN, IS COMING.
HE'S THE TANANA CLINIC'S PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
FOR, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE.
HE'S NOT A VET.
AND HE'S GONNA COME UP, AND HE'S GONNA CHECK OUT CRACKERS
AND CHECK OUT HER TUMOR AND SEE WHAT HE THINKS.
I'M LOOKING FOR AN OPINION FROM SOMEBODY IN THE MEDICAL FIELD.
A LOT OF TIMES, A DOG THAT'S IN THAT KIND OF CONDITION
HAS TO BE PUT DOWN.
YEAH. YEAH, THERE HE IS. JOHN.
Hasenauer: NURSE AIDE TOLD ME SHE GOT A CALL
THAT YOU WANTED ME TO COME OUT TONIGHT.
YOU DON'T?
I WORKED WITH A VET FOR YEARS.
DOESN'T BOTHER ME. YEAH.
WE'LL SEE WHAT YOU THINK.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS THING IS AT ALL, BUT IT'S SOLID.
CRACKERS, COME ON. COME ON OUT.
HI. HI, CRACKERS.
YEAH.
LET ME LISTEN HERE.
SHE'S GOT A REALLY FAST HEARTBEAT.
TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, THIS IS WHAT THEY CALL MASTITIS.
YEP.
AND IT DEVELOPED INTO AN ABSCESS,
AND THE ABSCESS STARTED GETTING HARD.
IT'S GONNA GET NOTHING BUT WORSE EVENTUALLY --
YOU KNOW, GET INTO HER BLOOD SYSTEM,
AND SHE CAN GET SEPTIC AND DIE.
Narrator: SEPTIC SHOCK SHUTS DOWN VITAL ORGANS,
EVENTUALLY RESULTING IN HEART FAILURE,
AND IT CAN KILL IN JUST 24 HOURS.
THIS IS WHAT I NEED TO DO.
I'LL GIVE HER A SHOT OF ROCEPHIN --
UH-HUH.
TO START IT OFF WITH,
AND THEN WE'LL HAVE TO OPEN IT UP AND DRAIN IT.
HONESTLY, TO DO THAT,
I'M PROBABLY GONNA HAVE TO PUT HER UNDER.
WE NEED TO GET THAT DONE TONIGHT.
I CAN PUT HER IN MY TRUCK RIGHT NOW, AND WE'LL BRING HER DOWN.
ALL RIGHT.
COME ON. COME ON, CRACKERS.
IT'S LIKE BRINGING A KID TO THE DENTIST.
COME ON, CRACKERS. COME ON.
Narrator: THERE'S NO OPERATING ROOM IN TOWN,
SO JOHN'S KITCHEN WILL HAVE TO DO.
Stan: CRACKERS HAS NEVER BEEN IN A HOUSE BEFORE IN HER LIFE.
LET ME GIVE HER SOMETHING TO CALM HER DOWN A LITTLE BIT HERE.
HEY, BIG GIRL, HUH?
CRACKERS, HUH? I KNOW. IT HURTS.
WE'RE GONNA DO THIS ON THE KITCHEN TABLE.
COME ON, BIG GIRL.
COME ON, BIG GIRL.
OH. GOOD CRACKERS.
GOOD CRACKERS.
Hasenauer: I'M NOT A VET, BUT I WORKED WITH ENOUGH OF THEM
TO KNOW WHAT I'M DOING.
DO THE BEST WE CAN.
THERE'S SOME BLOOD.
YEAH, SHE'S GONNA BLEED.
YEAH, IT'S HARD RIGHT IN THERE.
[ DOG WHINES ]
KEEP CRACKERS DOWN.
HEY, HEY, HEY.
GOOD CRACKERS.
I HAVE TO TAKE OFF THIS WHOLE GLAND.
THERE'S NO WAY I CAN SAVE IT.
THIS IS THE ONLY WAY I CAN SAVE THE DOG'S LIFE.
HEY, BIG GIRL, HUH?
THERE'S A LOT OF BLOOD.
THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO. THIS IS BLOODY.
THIS IS GONNA GET EVEN WORSE.
Stan: IT'S NOT LOOKING GOOD, YOU KNOW?
WE'RE MAYBE JUST MESSING HER UP WORSE.
AND WE MIGHT HAVE TO PUT CRACKERS DOWN.
[ DOG WHINES ]
Narrator: IN TANANA, STAN IS IN DANGER
OF LOSING HIS MOST PROMISING SLED DOG TO A DEADLY INFECTION.
HEY, BIG GIRL, HUH?
Hasenauer: THERE'S A LOT OF BLOOD.
[ DOG WHINES ]
Narrator: A PHYSICIAN'S ASSISTANT
IS FINISHING EMERGENCY SURGERY TO PREVENT SEPTIC SHOCK.
[ DOG WHINES ]
I'M PACKING HER OFF. I'M STOPPING THE BLEEDING.
I'M GLUING HER WOUND SHUT WITH SKIN GLUE.
THAT'S QUITE PAINFUL, WHAT I JUST DID TO HER.
Stan: YOU'VE LOST A LOT OF BLOOD.
STILL HOPEFUL, BUT THIS IS VERY SERIOUS RIGHT NOW.
THAT'S A BIG CYST THAT WE BROUGHT OUT.
GOOD CRACKERS.
YEP.
I'M GONNA WATCH HER TONIGHT.
[ DOG WHINES ]
I'LL TAKE CARE OF HER.
I'LL START ANTIBIOTICS TOMORROW.
I'LL GET HER A SHOT OF A STEROID TONIGHT.
ANYTHING HAPPENS, ANY COMPLICATIONS,
I MEAN, I KNOW HOW THIS STUFF GOES.
Narrator: 35 MILES SOUTH OF TANANA...
AFTER SECURING THEIR TRAPLINE, CHARLIE AND BOB ARE RACING
TO GET A MOOSE BEFORE THE SEASON ENDS.
Charlie: WE'RE SLAVING THE WATERY HABITATS,
THE LAKES, THE MEADOWS.
IT'S ALWAYS EASIER TO ACCESS IT WITH A BOAT.
WE CAN'T WALK TO THOSE LAKES OR THOSE PLACES.
IT'S TOO FAR.
SOMETIMES WE GOT TO GO 100 MILES A DAY HUNTING.
WITHOUT THAT RIVER, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.
Narrator: BY TRADING IN THEIR MOTORBOAT FOR A CANOE,
THEY'LL BE ABLE TO EXPLORE
THE SHALLOW SLOUGHS MOST HUNTERS AVOID.
Charlie: WE CAN GO FOR MILES BACK HERE IN THE CANOE
AND WALK JUST DIFFERENT MEADOWS AND LAKES.
I HAVE A PLACE TO GO.
THIS IS MY FAVORITE MOOSE-HUNTING GROUND
'CAUSE IT'S VERY HARD TO GET THERE.
GOOD HUNTERS AROUND WILL PASS IT BY.
IT'S JUST TOO MUCH WORK.
IT TAKES A LOT OF PHYSICAL STRENGTH
AND MENTAL HEADACHE AND BACKBREAK,
BUT IT'S WORTH IT.
LISTEN.
I THINK I HEARD FEET IN THE WATER.
[ DUCKS QUACKING ]
Robert: WHEN YOU GO OUT HUNTING FOR A MOOSE,
YOU JUST DON'T GO OUT AND FIND ONE.
THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF LITTLE THINGS
THAT GO INTO TRYING TO TRACK DOWN A MOOSE.
YOU GOT TO LOOK ALL OVER THE PLACE,
LOOK FOR THEIR SIGN, LOOK FOR WHERE THEY'VE BEEN WALKING
OR WHERE A BEAT-DOWN PATH IS.
Charlie: I'VE COME TO LEARN WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
AND SIGNS THAT THEY LEAVE FOR YOU
AND TRY TO GET AHEAD OF THEM.
SEE WHERE THE MOOSE GO OVER THAT LOG RIGHT THERE
AND KNOCK THE BARK OFF WITH THEIR HOOVES?
SEE?
YOU CAN SEE WHERE THEY JUST SAT ALL AROUND IN THE BERRY BUSHES.
ALL THE WAY UP HERE, SEE?
THEY DON'T LEAVE VERY MUCH OF NOTHING BEHIND.
THIS IS WAY MORE BULL SIGN THAN I'VE SEEN IN A COUPLE YEARS.
Oh, look at that.
IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD SIGN WHEN YOU FIND FRESH SCRAPINGS
WHERE THEY'VE BEEN RUBBING THEIR HORNS.
Yeah. That's big-time.
That's fresh.
ONCE YOU FIND WHERE ONE'S HIDING OUT,
YOU HAVE TO TRY TO CALL IT IN.
WHEN WE RAKE A PIECE OF WOOD ON A TREE,
WE'RE TRYING TO IMITATE
A BULL MOOSE RUBBING HIS HORNS ON A TREE
TO TRY TO CALL FOR A MATE.
YOU DON'T WANT TO CALL IT TOO MUCH
OR TOO AGGRESSIVE BECAUSE THEY'LL THINK YOU'RE TOO BIG
OR, YOU KNOW, SCARE THEM AWAY.
SO, YOU JUST WANT TO DO IT JUST ENOUGH
SO THE MOOSE WILL COME OUT AND CHECK YOU OUT.
NOTHING.
THE BUSHES PLAYING TRICKS.
Charlie: OH, YEAH.
EASY TO HAPPEN THIS TIME OF YEAR.
EVERYTHING LOOKS LIKE A MOOSE.
WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, AND WE NEED OUR LUCK TO CHANGE.
[ DOGS BARKING ]
Narrator: BACK IN TANANA...
DUSTIN, LET'S GO.
Narrator: ...DUSTIN'S INEXPERIENCE
IS TURNING WHAT SHOULD BE A 3-HOUR JOB
INTO A 4 1/2-HOUR SETBACK FOR THE MOORES.
I HAD IT LAST TIME.
HEY, RIGHT HERE!
DUSTIN, RIGHT HERE!
Courtney: YOU KNOW, I'M TRYING TO HELP HIM.
I'M TRYING TO MAKE HIM LEARN,
BUT YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO TELL SOMEBODY SOMETHING FOUR TIMES.
WHAT KIND OF HARNESS DOES DOODLES TAKE?
RED/GREEN?
DOES THAT MEAN RED AND GREEN?
YEAH. RED/GREEN.
RED AND GREEN.
WELL, IT COULD MEAN ONE OR THE OTHER.
THERE'S GREEN/RED.
I DON'T KNOW WHICH DOGS ARE THE VOLATILE ONES.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THE DOGS.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO TURN A HARNESS INSIDE OUT.
BUT I'M TRYING. I'M LEARNING.
Courtney: COME ON! LET'S GO!
BRING THEM UP. BRING THEM UP.
I'M DOING IT. COME ON.
RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN!
[ DOGS BARKING ]
ALL RIGHT. PULL THEM AROUND.
PUT HIM UP THERE.
HEY, HEY, HEY!
JUST THROW THEM OVER WHEN YOU MOVE THAT.
DON'T PUT THEM THROUGH, OKAY?
I TOLD DUSTIN THREE TIMES,
"LOOK, THIS DOG CHEWS STUFF. WE HARNESS HIM LAST.
DON'T PUT THE HARNESS BY HIM."
HE HOOKED HIM AT THE END OF THE LINE WITH HIS ROPE TIE,
AND THIS DOG CHEWED THE LINE.
NEVER WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.
THERE WAS AN INCIDENT AT CAMP WHERE THE CABLE SNAPPED.
THREE DOGS RAN OFF AND DIED.
THAT'S HOW SERIOUS THAT IS.
DON'T HAVE TO [BLEEP] AROUND LIKE THIS.
DUSTIN!
GO UP BY SAM AND THEN JUMP ON THE TRUCK!
Narrator: IN ADDITION TO 38 WORK DOGS,
THE MOORES KEEP 14-YEAR-OLD SAM,
A DEAF, HALF-BLIND, BELOVED FAMILY PET.
Patrick: SAM IS MY ONLY DOG.
I'VE HAD HIM FOR 12 YEARS,
AND HE'S ROLLED IN THE YARD WITH JUST THE TRADE PUPS.
SAM HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.
ALL RIGHT, SAM. YOU READY?
HEY! HEY, HEY, HEY!
DUSTIN!
[BLEEP]
[BLEEP]
SAM HEADED UP THE BEACH.
DUSTIN, GO AND GET SAM!
[BLEEP]
Narrator: AS NIGHT FALLS, DUSTIN CONTINUES TO SEARCH.
20 MILES FROM TOWN,
JOEY AND FRANCIS ARE CAMPED IN THE WILDERNESS,
PLANNING FOR THEIR FINAL DAY OF MOOSE HUNTING.
Joey: YOU KNOW, LAST COUPLE YEARS, I'VE BEEN PRETTY LUCKY
AND WOULD GO OUT AND WOULD RUN RIGHT INTO ONE.
BUT THIS YEAR, IT'S KIND OF DIFFERENT.
IT SEEMS LIKE THE MOOSE --
THEY'RE NOT MOVING AROUND RIGHT NOW.
HOPE THERE'S ONE OVER THERE MOVING AROUND TOMORROW,
'CAUSE WE JUST NEED TO GET SOME GOOD MOOSE MEAT.
YEAH, WE GOT A FAMILY TO FEED.
THERE MIGHT BE A LITTLE BULL OVER THERE, THOUGH.
WE'LL TAKE ANYTHING.
FOOD IS FOOD.
WELL, WE BETTER CRASH OUT AND GET READY FOR TOMORROW, FRANKIE.
GOT A LOT OF STUFF AHEAD OF US IN THE MORNING.
YEP.
[ WIND WHISTLING ]
MORNING BRINGS THE FINAL DAY OF THE SEASON...
...AND ONE LAST CHANCE TO STOCKPILE ESSENTIAL FOOD
FOR WINTER.
James: THE SEASON IS CHANGING VERY QUICKLY,
AND OUR WINDOW TO HUNT AND HARVEST MOOSE IS ALMOST OVER.
Narrator: JAMES AND RALPH ARE 13 MILES FROM TANANA,
DESPERATE FOR ANYTHING THEY CAN FIND.
James: I'M NOT SEEKING, LIKE, A TROPHY ANIMAL.
I'LL JUST TAKE WHAT I CAN GET.
THAT'S ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW?
I'M NOT TOO PICKY ABOUT IT ALL.
YOU KNOW, I'LL TAKE A SPIKE FORK IF I HAD TO.
JUST AS LONG AS I GET SOMETHING TO EAT, YOU KNOW, I'LL BE HAPPY.
[ DUCK QUACKING ]
IT'S BEEN A COUPLE HOURS SINCE WE MADE THAT LAST CALL.
YEAH.
THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING JUST STANDING RIGHT ON THE LAKE.
[ WIND WHISTLING ]
ONE YEAR, WE DIDN'T HAVE THE MOOSE.
WE ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT.
I CAN'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN.
HE'S A LONG WAYS AWAY.
IT'S SUCH A LONG DISTANCE THAT 2 INCHES OFF COULD BE 10 FEET OFF.
PLUS, YOU KNOW, A HEAVY RIFLE LIKE THAT,
YOU'RE MOVING, YOU'RE BREATHING HARD,
AND YOU GOT TO STABILIZE YOUR SHOT.
IT'S GOT TO BE PERFECT.
WE NEED THAT MEAT.
Narrator: IT'S THE LAST DAY OF MOOSE-HUNTING SEASON IN TANANA,
AND JAMES STILL DOESN'T HAVE MEAT TO FEED HIS FAMILY.
HE HAS A BULL MOOSE IN HIS SIGHTS,
BUT THE ANIMAL IS OVER 300 YARDS AWAY.
[ GUNSHOT ]
James: OKAY, LET'S [BLEEP] HURRY ON UP.
I KNEW I HIT HIM 'CAUSE I COULD SEE HIM SHAKE,
BUT I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW HARD OR WHERE.
[ WIND WHISTLING ]
THERE'S HIS TRACKS RIGHT THERE.
THIS WAY. GONNA TRACK HIM NOW.
TRY TO FIND HIM IN THE BRUSH HERE.
HE'S GOT TO BE LAYING DOWN AROUND HERE.
ALL RIGHT.
[ WIND WHISTLING ]
MORE FRESH TRACKS RIGHT THERE.
HE'S GOT TO BE AROUND HERE.
HE MIGHT BE LAYING DOWN AND WOUNDED.
THERE HE IS.
OH, YEAH. OH, YEAH. WE GOT HIM GOOD NOW.
WE GOT HIM THIS TIME.
OH, MAN. OH, YEAH.
THERE HE IS, RALPH.
WE GOT HIM.
WE'RE GONNA EAT GOOD TONIGHT.
IT TOOK EVERY BIT OF SKILL, PATIENCE, AND KNOW-HOW
THAT I HAVE IN ME TO GET THIS MOOSE,
AND THAT WAS A REAL HUNT THERE.
WE FINALLY GOT HIM AFTER ALL THAT WORK.
THAT WAS THAT KEY MOMENT RIGHT THERE
THAT "I'M GONNA EAT GOOD ALL WINTER."
OH, BOY. WE'RE GONNA EAT GOOD NOW.
Narrator: 30 MILES SOUTHEAST...
JOEY AND FRANCIS ARE STILL EMPTY-HANDED,
AND THEY'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
YEAH, SO, WE'LL CHECK OUT THIS LAKE OUT HERE,
AND IF WE DON'T SEE NOTHING
AND DON'T LOOK LIKE A LOT OF ACTIVITY,
WE'LL SHOOT OVER TO THAT OTHER ONE.
THERE'S THAT LONG ONE I SHOWED YOU ON THAT MAP.
YEAH, OKAY.
AND WE'LL JUST PADDLE THROUGH ALL THESE LAKES
AND HOPEFULLY RUN INTO SOMETHING.
Joey: YOU DON'T WANT TO GO
5 MILES BACK IN THE DEEP WOODS AND SHOOT A MOOSE,
'CAUSE IT'LL ROT BEFORE YOU CAN GET IT BACK INTO THE BOAT,
SO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN GET THERE BY LAKE
WHERE YOU CAN PACK IT OUT.
ALL RIGHT, FRANKIE, LET'S DO THIS.
YEP.
[BLEEP]
OH [BLEEP] OKAY.
OKAY.
WE'RE ROLLING.
IF THERE'S A BULL AROUND HERE, IT SHOULD BE OUT BY THE LAKE.
OKAY. IT'S GOOD NOW, FRANCIS.
STRAIGHT THAT WAY, FRANCIS.
Look at that.
That's a bull track.
Right here.
It's a bull.
See the two big back ones and the front?
That means it's a bull.
Francis: BEING THE OLDEST BROTHER,
MY DAD HAS HIGHER EXPECTATIONS FROM ME THAN MY BROTHERS.
I REALLY WANT TO PROVE MYSELF TO MY DAD, JOEY, AND MY FAMILY
THAT I CAN GO DO THIS AND COME BACK SUCCESSFUL.
Look at this, Frankie.
This is a good sign.
Does that look like the rut that they *** in
and then roll around in?
That's exactly what that is, Frankie.
Joey: I CAME UPON A PIT, AND IT'S WHERE BULL MOOSE RUT.
HE GETS REALLY WORKED UP, SO HE DIGS A HOLE
AND THEN HE PISSES IN THE HOLE, AND THEY RUB UP ALL IN IT,
AND THEN THE COWS LIKE THAT.
That means they're starting to get there.
Look at all these trees.
This guy's been raking all over.
IT'S GOT TO BE FOUR TO FIVE DAYS.
BUT IT'S THIS YEAR.
IT'S CLEARLY IN RUT, SO THAT'S A GOOD SIGN --
REALLY GOOD SIGN.
IF YOU FIND A BIG AREA WHERE YOU CAN SEE A MOOSE
HAS BEEN THRASHING AROUND, BIG, BROKEN TREES, YOU KNOW,
YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO STICK AROUND THERE
'CAUSE HE'LL DEFINITELY BE BACK.
Narrator: BACK IN TANANA, DUSTIN HAS BEEN UP ALL NIGHT
SEARCHING FOR THE MOORES' MISSING DOG, SAM.
I'M SO NERVOUS RIGHT NOW.
[BLEEP] I'M NERVOUS.
I NEED TO FIND THAT DOG.
THIS IS PROBABLY THE WORST THING THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN.
THIS IS TERRIBLE.
I FEEL LIKE I LET MYSELF DOWN.
Narrator: IT'S BEEN A LONG, SLEEPLESS NIGHT
FOR THE MOORES, AS WELL, WORRYING ABOUT THEIR LOST DOG.
Patrick: FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, HE'S 14 YEARS OLD.
HE'S DEAF AND BLIND.
YOU KNOW, HE COULD HAVE GOT CAUGHT IN A TRAP
OR FALLEN IN A HOLE OR WHO KNOWS WHAT?
HOPEFULLY, HE'LL BE OKAY.
I NEED TO FIND SAM.
Narrator: 35 MILES SOUTH, AFTER A NIGHT'S REST,
CHARLIE AND BOB HAVE JUST 12 HOURS LEFT
TO GET A MOOSE BEFORE THE SEASON ENDS.
OKAY, I'M READY.
Robert: IN THE FALL TIME, THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE
THAT RELY ON THAT MOOSE MEAT TO GET THEM THROUGH THE WINTER.
AND THIS YEAR,
THERE IS JUST A COUPLE PEOPLE GOT A MOOSE, YOU KNOW?
KEEP GOING.
DON'T COME OUT WITH NO MOOSE, AND YOU'LL BE SCREWED.
I SEE WE GOT MOOSE TRACKS ALL OVER IN HERE.
PRINTS GOING DOWN TO THE WATER, SEE?
THAT'S GOOD [BLEEP]
LET'S GO.
HEY, WHAT'S THAT?
COME ON, BOB. RIGHT THERE, BOB.
IT LOOKED AT US, AND RIGHT AWAY,
I THOUGHT HE WAS GONNA START RUNNING.
MY DAD LIFTED UP HIS GUN,
AND IT TURNED ITS HEAD AND LOOKED AT ME.
ALL I THOUGHT WAS, "SHOOT."
[ GUNSHOT ]
[ DOGS BARKING ]
Narrator: WITH WINTER JUST AROUND THE CORNER,
STAN'S SLED TEAM HAS TO BE PREPARED.
TRAPPING THIS WINTER -- IT'S RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER,
AND I NEED TO GET THE DOGS IN SHAPE.
THE IDEA IS TO PUT MILES ON THEM.
AFTER SUMMER SITTING AROUND TIED UP,
THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MUSCLE TONE.
THERE'S NO SNOW ON THE ROADS, SO YOU GOT TO USE A CAR.
THIS IS A VOLKSWAGEN.
IT'S STILL GOT ALL THE EMERGENCY BRAKES,
AND, OF COURSE, IT'S GOT NO ENGINE.
OKAY!
OKAY!
JUST TRYING TO START PUTTING SOME MILES ON THEM
AND LET THEIR FEET TOUGHEN IN A LITTLE BIT ON THIS GRAVEL HERE.
OKAY!
WHOA!
YEAH, SEE, THEY'RE OUT OF SHAPE.
YOU KNOW, I CAN TELL BY THEIR BREATH,
THEIR STOMACHS ARE GETTING A LITTLE UPSET.
EVERYBODY READY? HEY!
HA! HA! HA!
Narrator: IT'S THE LAST DAY OF MOOSE-HUNTING SEASON,
AND CHARLIE AND BOB HAVE ONE FINAL CHANCE
TO GET ESSENTIAL MEAT FOR THE WINTER.
GOT HIM, BOB!
GOOD SHOT.
[BLEEP] YEAH.
MY DAD USUALLY IS ALWAYS THE ONE WHO GETS THE MOOSE FIRST,
BUT I WASN'T LETTING IT GET AWAY.
HELL, YEAH.
IT WAS A GOOD FEELING TO GET A MOOSE BEFORE MY DAD.
PERFECT STARTER MOOSE.
[BLEEP] IT'S IN THE LAKE, TOO.
SHOULD HAVE WAITED FOR HIM TO GET OUT OF THE LAKE, THOUGH.
AND ROBERT IS ONE OF THE BETTER HUNTERS AROUND HERE NOW,
AND HE LEARNED BY WATCHING ME.
I'M PROUD OF THAT.
BUT HE'S GOT A LOT TO LEARN,
SO I GOT TO KEEP AFTER HIM AND KEEP ON HIM.
GOOD JOB.
YEAH.
WE CAN GET HIM HOME BEFORE DARK.
LET'S GET ON IT.
NICE, CLEAN, LITTLE BULL.
YEAH, HE'S PRETTY SMALL.
OH, THAT'S THE WRONG END.
YOU COULD CALL IT ABOUT A TWO-SPIKER, I GUESS.
I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE HAD TWO SPIKES ON IT.
BUT I GOT MOOSE MEAT.
IT'S A BULL MOOSE.
FAIR GAME.
GOT HIM RIGHT THROUGH THE NECK, BOB.
MY DAD IS STARTING TO LIGHTEN UP.
STARTING TO SEE ME MORE AS AN EQUAL TO HIM, YOU KNOW,
AND STOP TRYING TO BABY ME LIKE I'M A LITTLE KID.
1, 2, 3.
[ GRUNTS ]
REALLY GOOD, HUH?
BLESSING HERE FROM GOD.
IT'S PRETTY SMALL, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE GOT MEAT.
IT'S NOT GONNA LAST US THROUGH THE WHOLE WINTER,
BUT IT'S GONNA HELP US OUT A LOT.
OUR FREEZERS WERE GETTING PRETTY LOW.
THERE WE GO.
WELL, I'M GONNA LOAD THIS UP AND HEAD FOR HOME
BEFORE IT GETS DARK ON US.
I'VE GOT ABOUT 1/3 OF A MOOSE NOW.
IF I HAD A WHOLE BIG BULL,
THEN THAT WOULD LAST ME UNTIL NEXT MOOSE SEASON.
BUT IT'S BETTER THAN NO MEAT.
Narrator: BACK IN TANANA...
...PAT IS PROWLING THE TOWN, LOOKING FOR HIS LOST DOG, SAM.
FUZZNUTS DUSTIN WAS OUT LOOKING FOR HIM.
BUT I WAS THE ONE THAT FINALLY ENDED UP FINDING THE DOG
AND BRINGING IT HOME.
OH, THERE'S SAM.
SAM ENDED UP IN A LADY'S YARD.
SHE FIGURED IT WAS ME THAT WAS DRIVING DOGS THAT DAY
AND IT WAS PROBABLY MY DOG.
SHE TIED IT UP.
YEAH.
NO, HE'LL RUN HOME WITH ME.
COME ON, SAM.
YEAH, GOOD BOY. COME ON.
COME ON. YEAH.
JUST A SENTIMENTAL, OLD KIND OF GUY
BECAUSE HE NEVER COULD RUN WITH THE RACE DOGS,
BUT HE TRAINED A LOT OF PUPS.
HE WAS A GOOD LEADER.
WELL, IT'S SUCH A RELIEF TO HAVE MY DOG BACK HOME.
DUSTIN, COME GET THIS DOG!
[ DOGS BARKING ]
Baughan: WELCOME HOME, SAM.
I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE THE DOG AGAIN AND THAT HE'S SAFE.
Narrator: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VILLAGE,
JAMES AND RALPH RETURN WITH 500 POUNDS OF MEAT.
THE BIGGER MOOSE YOU GET, THE BETTER WINTER YOU'RE GONNA HAVE.
AND HE WAS A REALLY PRIME ANIMAL --
YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE BIG BOYS ON THE BLOCK.
LOOK AT THAT, JOSEPH.
WHAT'S THAT?
NICE, BIG BULL MOOSE, HUH?
OH, BOY.
WE'RE GONNA EAT GOOD NOW, SON.
BETTER GO HANG IT UP NOW.
STAND IT UP.
STAND IT UP.
I'LL HELP YOU.
OH, HELL WITH IT.
BACKBONE AND A SIDE OF RIBS, JOE.
Narrator: HANGING THE MOOSE IN A SMOKEHOUSE
WILL NATURALLY PRESERVE THE MEAT AND PREVENT IT FROM SPOILING.
HOLY [BLEEP]
[ SIGHS ]
BOY, THAT'S A LOT OF MEAT HANGING.
ACROSS TOWN, STAN CHECKS ON CRACKERS
A DAY AFTER HER SURGERY.
Hasenauer: I THINK SHE MISSES YOU.
YOU KNOW, SHE'S DEFINITELY MORE ALERT.
YOU KNOW, IF SOMETHING HAD GONE WRONG,
NO.
I THINK SHE'S DOING FINE RIGHT NOW.
RIGHT NOW, CRACKERS IS LOOKING EXCELLENT.
BUT WHO KNOWS IF CRACKERS CAN'T PULL A SLED ANYMORE.
YEP, WE'LL GET CRACKERS BACK HOME,
AND I THINK SHE'S GONNA BE JUST FINE.
Narrator: THE LAST DAY OF HUNTING SEASON
IS COMING TO A CLOSE,
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS ADULT LIFE,
JOEY HASN'T BROUGHT DOWN A MOOSE,
AND HIS WHOLE FAMILY IS COUNTING ON HIM FOR MEAT.
Joey: NOTHING OUT HERE RIGHT NOW,
BUT [SNIFFS] IF WE CAN HEAR A COUPLE WOLVES HOWLING,
SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF A BUM SIGN.
MEANS THERE'S NOT GONNA BE NO BIG BULLS AROUND.
YEAH, YOU KNOW, WHEN THERE'S A HERD,
THERE'S ALWAYS A PACK OF WOLVES BEHIND IT,
SO IT'S UNPREDICTABLE WHAT THEY'RE GONNA DO
AND COULD JUST SCARE AWAY THE ANIMALS.
SO, IT DEFINITELY SUCKS.
I KNOW.
NOTHING OUT HERE.
YEAH, I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN.
YEAH, YOU KNOW, IT'S THE END OF THE SEASON,
AND I DON'T HAVE A MOOSE.
WE'VE BEEN OUT HERE FOR DAYS,
AND WE HAVE NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT.
OUR FREEZERS ARE EMPTY,
AND THERE'S NO STORE WHERE WE CAN GO BUY FRESH MEAT,
SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO.
WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO FIND SOME OTHER WAY TO GET SOME FOOD.
LET'S GET GOING.
I'VE NEVER GONE THROUGH A SEASON WITHOUT GETTING A MOOSE.
WINTER'S COMING. IT'S RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.
YOU CAN SEE IT, AND YOU CAN FEEL IT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE GONNA SURVIVE AND GET THROUGH.
[ WIND WHISTLING ]
Narrator: WINTER IS HERE.
THERE'S NO PLAYING AROUND WITH THE CHANGING OF THE SEASONS.
OH, LOOK AT THIS.
IT LOOKS LIKE WEATHER'S GONNA GET BAD HERE IN A SECOND.
Narrator: AND IT'S A RACE WITH MOTHER NATURE
TO BEAT THE FREEZE.
THESE KIDS -- THEY NEVER GET THEIR BOATS OUT ON TIME.
OH [BLEEP]
Narrator: TEMPERS FLARE BETWEEN FATHERS AND SONS.
I'M TIRED OF FEELING WORTHLESS.
[BLEEP]
AND SOME VILLAGERS ARE CAUGHT UNPREPARED.
THIS THING IS GONNA FREEZE UP QUICKLY.
OH, MY GOD.
WE'VE GOT NO CHOICE BUT TO GO THROUGH IT.