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Narrator: ALASKA -- THE LAST FRONTIER.
THE KILCHER FAMILY HAS LIVED A SUBSISTENCE LIFESTYLE
ON THEIR ALASKAN HOMESTEAD FOR 70 YEARS.
AFTER ANOTHER EIGHT-MONTH WINTER,
THEY HAVE ONLY FOUR MONTHS
TO TACKLE BOLD AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS NEW PROJECTS.
HELL, I MIGHT CALL IT A BRIDGE WHEN I'M DONE.
HA!
Narrator: SPRING IS ALSO A TIME
TO RESTOCK THEIR DWINDLING FOOD SUPPLY.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
THAT MEANS SEIZING THEIR FIRST CHANCE TO HUNT FOR BIG GAME.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
OH [BLEEP]
BEARS CAN RUN, BUT THEY CAN'T HIDE.
Narrator: ATZ SR. TAKES ON A PERSONAL MISSION...
I GOT TO MAKE THIS RIGHT.
Narrator: ...EIVIN AND EVE DEFEND THEIR GARDEN
OH, MY GOD.
...AND OTTO AND CHARLOTTE
STRUGGLE WITH SPRING CALVING SEASON.
BREATHE.
[ BLOWS ]
♪ SOMETIMES IT'S BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS ♪
♪ ON ALASKA'S LAST FRONTIER ♪
♪ BUT LIFE IS SIMPLE, LIFE IS GOOD ♪
♪ WHEN YOU'RE LIVING LIKE YOU SHOULD ♪
♪ HEY, HEY ♪
♪ SOMETIMES IT'S STRUGGLE, STRIFE ♪
♪ FATHERS, SONS, BROTHERS, WIVES ♪
♪ BUT WE'RE MAKIN' OUR WAY ♪
♪ YES, WE'LL STAY RIGHT HERE ♪
♪ ON ALASKA'S LAST FRONTIER ♪
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
AFTER EIGHT TEDIOUS MONTHS OF ALASKAN WINTER,
THE KILCHER FAMILY EMERGES FROM THEIR CABINS
TO A WELCOMED SITE.
UNDER MELTING SNOW AND ICE,
LIFE RETURNS TO THE HOMESTEAD.
[ Echoing ] YA-HOO!
Otto: SPRING COME BACK,
AND BIRDS WILL BE A-BIRDIN', AND BEES WILL BE BEEIN',
AND YOU'RE JUST...
FEELING' LIKE...
START FEELING LIKE A HUMAN AGAIN
INSTEAD OF JUST SOME KIND OF AN ENDURANCE TEST.
Narrator: ANOTHER TEST LIES AHEAD.
AS THEIR SUPPLY OF WINTER FOOD DWINDLES,
SPRING BECOMES YET ANOTHER RACE AGAINST TIME
TO RESTOCK THEIR FOOD, WOOD, AND SUPPLIES.
Eve: THIS LIFESTYLE, YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW,
SO HOWEVER HARD YOU WORK IS WHAT YOU GET BACK.
YOU KNOW, THE FREEZER IS GETTING LOW FROM THE WINTER NOW.
YOUR FISH IS GETTING FREEZER BURNT.
YOUR MEAT FROM THE LAST WINTER IS KIND OF OLD AND STUFF.
SO SPRING IS JUST A REALLY EXHILARATING TIME FOR ME
BECAUSE IT'S YOUR FIRST CHANCE TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE
AND GO OUT FOR SOME BIG GAME.
Narrator: FOR SEASONED HUNTER ATZ LEE AND HIS WIFE, JANE,
THAT MEANS IT'S BLACK BEAR SEASON.
BUT THEY WON'T TRACK
ONE OF ALASKA'S MOST DANGEROUS PREDATORS ALONE.
Atz Lee: I'M MEETING UP WITH MY DAD, ATZ, TODAY ON THE BEACH.
HOWDY.
WE'RE OUT ON THE BEACH ON A SUNNY DAY LOOKING FOR BEAR.
Narrator: ATZ SR. AND HIS WIFE, BONNIE,
JOIN THE HUNT WITH ONE GOAL --
POOL THEIR RESOURCES AND DIVIDE UP THE MEAT.
FIRST SPRING BEAR HUNTING THAT YOU CAN GET INTO REALLY IS --
THE ADVANTAGE OF THE BLUFFS IS KIND OF WHERE IT'S AT.
Atz: THE STEEP BLUFF OR HILLSIDE IS GETTING THE MOST SUN.
THE SNOW LEAVES THE EARLIEST.
THE STUFF THAT THEY EAT --
THE NETTLES, THE FERNS, THE PUSHKI,
ALL THE LITTLE GREEN SHOOTS AND GRASSES THAT COME UP --
THAT'S THE FIRST THING THEY EAT.
SO THIS IS KIND OF THAT PERIOD
WHERE THEY JUST START COMING OUT.
SO, WHAT'S THE PLAN?
WELL, MAYBE WE'LL JUST SPREAD OUT A LITTLE BIT.
I GOT A SECOND PAIR OF EYES WITH ME, TOO, SO...
YEAH. WONDERFUL.
BUT WE'RE DEFINITELY ON THE EARLY SIDE, WHICH IS GOOD.
RIGHT?
YEAH. BETTER TO START TOO EARLY THAN TOO LATE.
RIGHT ON.
IF WE DON'T GET THEM, SOMEONE ELSE WILL.
Atz Lee: ME AND MY DAD SPLITTING SEPARATE WAYS
IS ONE OF OUR BEST CHANCES AT GETTING A BEAR.
Narrator: TO COVER MORE GROUND,
THE TEAMS TRAVEL IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
ALONG THE BEACH,
SCANNING MILES OF EXPOSED BLUFFS FOR PREY.
Atz: GOT A STRATEGY TODAY.
FROM WAY OUT HERE, I CAN SEE QUITE AN AREA ON THE BLUFF.
SO IF I DO SPOT ANYTHING,
THEN I CAN GET IN CLOSER AND GET A SHOT AT IT.
TO DRIVE THE BEACH AND TO CHECK OUT THE BLUFFS
IS A PRETTY EASY WAY TO HUNT.
YOU JUST HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME.
Bonnie: THEY'RE REALLY GOOD EATING,
SO WE'LL DEFINITELY BE HAVING BLACK BEAR FOR SUPPER.
Atz Lee: DEPENDING ON THE BLUFF, YOU HAVE A PRETTY SHORT WINDOW
BECAUSE, BASICALLY, THE BLUFFS ARE COVERED IN ALDERS,
WHICH, IN THE WINTERTIME, DROP ALL THEIR LEAVES.
SO IN THE SPRING,
IT'S REALLY EASY TO SEE INTO THOSE ALDER THICKETS
WHERE THE BEARS WILL BE HANGING OUT.
AS SOON AS THOSE LEAVES POP OUT,
VISIBILITY JUST COMPLETELY DISAPPEARS,
AND THE CHANCE OF GETTING A BEAR IS A LOT, A LOT HARDER.
SO YOU ONLY REALLY HAVE LIKE A WEEK OR TWO WEEKS
FOR THIS PARTICULAR AREA WHERE WE'RE HUNTING.
THIS IS ALL GOOD BEAR COUNTRY ALL ALONG THIS.
Jane: WHEN YOU GO BEAR HUNTING, IT'S AN EXPERIENCE.
IT'S A JOURNEY.
SO I WANTED TO BE PART OF THAT, ESPECIALLY WITH MY HUSBAND.
AND HE IS, I THINK, IN THE ENTIRE FAMILY, THE BEST HUNTER.
HUNTING BEAR IS NEW TO ME, AND IT'S NOT MY FORTE...YET.
SO IT'S A LEARNING PROCESS.
GUN SAFETY IS AN ISSUE.
AND IF, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE OVEREXCITED OR PANICKING,
LIKE, A LOT OF THINGS COULD HAPPEN.
SO YOU WOULD DEFINITELY WANT TO HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER
ON HOW TO SAFELY HUNT.
WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO TARGET PRACTICE RIGHT THERE.
OKAY.
THE LAST TIME I SHOT A RIFLE,
I GOT A BLACK EYE FROM THE KICKBACK.
HOPEFULLY, I'LL DO BETTER TODAY.
YOU'RE SHOOTING A .30-06.
THIS IS A GREAT A RIFLE.
PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON RIFLE IN ALASKA.
BIG ENOUGH ROUND YOU CAN DROP A BEAR, A MOOSE.
IT'S FUN TO LEARN THINGS LIKE THIS,
ESPECIALLY FROM ATZ LEE.
HE'S A REALLY GREAT TEACHER.
THAT'S SET...
SAFETY OFF. SAFETY ON.
WHEN YOU WANT TO CHAMBER A ROUND,
YOU OPEN IT UP, PULL IT BACK, SLAM IT FORWARD.
OKAY.
I'VE BEEN SHOOTING FIREARMS SINCE I WAS 7 YEARS OLD,
SO FOR ME, IT'S KIND OF JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE PARK.
YOU WANT TO BE MORE FORWARD-FACING WITH THE RIFLE.
MM-HMM.
I DON'T REALLY THINK ABOUT IT MUCH,
BUT DEFINITELY WHEN I WAS SHOWING JANE
HOW TO, LIKE, LOAD AND UNLOAD THE RIFLE,
IT MADE ME THINK BACK TO MY FIRST TIME.
AND IT IS --
IT'S A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN YOU MAKE IT OUT TO BE.
NOW THE GUN IS LOADED BUT NOT CHAMBERED.
OKAY.
BUT I WANT TO TRAVEL WITH IT CHAMBERED, RIGHT?
NO?
TRY IT ONE MORE TIME.
MAKE SURE YOU KEEP IT ALWAYS POINTING DOWN.
PUT IT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF YOUR BODY.
BACK FOR CLICK. JAM IT FORWARD.
GUN IS LOADED, SAFETY'S ON.
YOU DON'T PUT YOUR FINGER ON THE TRIGGER.
EVER?
EVER, UNLESS YOU ARE POINTING IT AT AN ANIMAL.
SO IT'S GONNA BE SAFETY OFF, LOCK, AND LOAD.
SAFETY OFF, LOCK, AND LOAD.
KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER.
IF WE SEE A BEAR, WE WANT TO SHOOT ON THREE.
WE'LL COUNT -- ONE, TWO...
OH, MY GOD!
I GOT IT.
I'M OKAY.
I JUST WASN'T READY FOR THAT KIND OF POW ACTION.
AH, SO CLOSE.
HEY, THAT'S NOT BAD.
THAT'S NOT BAD AT ALL.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO GET A BEAR.
Narrator: JUST ABOVE THE BLUFFS AT THE HOMESTEAD,
ATZ LEE'S UNCLE, OTTO,
TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE WARM SPRING WEATHER
TO CHECK ON HIS HEARD.
Otto: YOU KNOW, YOU'VE SPENT FOUR OR FIVE, SIX MONTHS IN A GRIND.
AND YOU'RE READY TO GET OUT OF THE GRIND,
AND THEN YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF NEW MINI GRINDS THROWN AT YOU.
Narrator: UNLIKE HIS OLDER BROTHER, ATZ, WHO HUNTS FOR HIS MEAT,
OTTO AND HIS WIFE, CHARLOTTE, RELY ON THEIR HEARD OF CATTLE
TO FEED AND SUPPORT THE FAMILY.
Charlotte: AS I WAS OUT IN THE COW YARD
JUST DOING SOME CHORES AND WHAT NOT,
I SAW ONE OF OUR NEW HEIFERS CIRCLING AROUND AND PUSHING.
AND I WAS SHOCKED, THINKING SHE WAS TRYING TO GIVE BIRTH.
BUT SHE WAS SO TINY.
IT WAS A REALLY BAD SITUATION.
Narrator: OTTO AND CHARLOTTE MUST ACT QUICKLY
IF THEY HOPE TO SAVE THE YOUNG MOTHER AND HER UNBORN CALF.
Otto: THIS HEIFER IS A YOUNG HEIFER.
SHE'S NOT EVEN TWO YEARS OLD YET.
AND SOMEHOW SHE WENT AND GOT PREGNANT.
AND, WELL, I IMAGINE I KNOW HOW SHE GOT PREGNANT,
BUT SHE GOT PREGNANT TOO EARLY.
[ COW MOOS ]
THIS CAUGHT ME COMPLETELY OFF GUARD.
YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY NOW AND THEN
WHERE'S THAT HALTER?
I NEED TO GET THAT HALTER ON HER.
Charlotte: WHEN YOU'RE IN THAT MOMENT,
YOU KNOW, WITH A BIRTH GOING ON
AND THINGS ARE HAPPENING FAST AND YOU'VE JUST GOT TO --
YOU'RE JUST REALLY FOCUSED ON TRYING TO SAVE THOSE LIVES,
SAVING THE CALF AND THE MOTHER.
Otto: YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF THIS,
OTHERWISE, THE CALF COULD DIE IF IT'S STILL ALIVE.
AND THIS COW HAS NEVER BEEN TIED UP,
SO I HAVE SOME CERTAIN ISSUES TO DEAL WITH.
WE WOUND UP CATCHING THE COW, PUTTING A HALTER ON THE COW,
AND PULLING THIS CALF,
AND I COULD IMMEDIATELY SEE THIS IS NOT GOOD.
I FEEL THE JAW THERE.
THIS WAS COMPLETELY THE OPPOSITE OF THE PERFECT BIRTH.
IT'S COMING OUT HEAD-FIRST -- NO, FEET.
OH [BLEEP]
Charlotte: THE CALF IS SUPPOSED TO PRESENT ITSELF
WITH ITS FRONT FEET COMING OUT FIRST,
AND THEN THE HEAD IS LAYING ON THE FEET.
I HAVE TO PUSH IT BACK IN.
[ COW MOOS ]
YOU NEED TO COME HERE.
IT'S A VERY SMALL ANIMAL.
NOT REALLY ANY ROOM FOR A CALF IN THERE, REALLY.
LEFT SIDE OF ME.
AH.
WELL, WHEN SHE GOES INTO CONTRACTIONS,
SHE JUST SQUEEZES ALL THE DAMN BLOOD RIGHT OUT OF MY ARM.
AH.
MAN, THAT'S TIGHT.
I GOT BOTH FRONT LEGS COMING OUT NOW.
Charlotte: COULD I DO IT WITH A SMALLER HAND?
HERE, I CAN DO IT OTTO.
MY HANDS ARE WAY LITTLER THAN YOURS.
OKAY. WELL, OKAY. IT'S ON THERE.
OKAY. THAT'S GOOD.
POOR BABY GIRL.
[ Grunting] ] OKAY!
Charlotte: OH, YOU'RE GETTING SOMEWHERE.
IT'S HEAD IS OUT. IT'S HEAD IS OUT.
[ BREATHES HEAVILY ] OKAY.
[ COW GROANS ]
OKAY. YEAH, IT'S OUT.
OH, MY GOD.
IS IT ALIVE?
AT LEAST IT'S OUT. AH.
LIKELY DEAD.
AH.
[ BLOWING ]
[ SPITS ]
[ BLOWING ]
[ GASPS ]
LISTEN FOR A HEARTBEAT.
IT'S GOT A LITTLE PULSE. AH.
I DON'T KNOW. [ BLOWING ]
[ BREATHES DEEPLY ]
[ SIGHS ]
I DON'T THINK SO, HONEY.
I DON'T THINK SO.
UM...YOU KNOW?
SEE A LITTLE NEWBORN LIKE THAT, CAN'T BREATHE,
AND KIND OF TWITCH AND GASP AND DIE RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.
YOU TAKE THOSE THINGS REAL PERSONALLY SOMETIMES.
IT'S NEVER EASY TO SEE A LIFE PASS.
[ SIGHS ]
SORRY, MAMA.
YEAH.
WELL, WHAT A DAY.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
THAT'S GOOD. MAMA'S ALIVE.
[ SIGHS ]
Narrator: JUST A FEW MILES AWAY, AT THE FOOT OF THE BLUFFS,
OTTO'S BROTHER, ATZ, AND HIS WIFE, BONNIE,
HAVE SPLIT UP FROM ATZ LEE AND JANE
TO COVER MORE GROUND IN SEARCH OF FRESH MEAT.
IT TAKES A KEEN EYE TO SPOT A BEAR IN THIS VAST TERRAIN.
Atz: WE WERE DRIVING UP THE BEACH,
AND I TOLD BONNIE JUST ANYTHING BLACK.
IF YOU'RE NOT SURE, LET'S JUST STOP AND LOOK AT IT.
FROM A DISTANCE, WITH YOUR NAKED EYE,
A BLACK PIECE OF COAL AND A BLACK BEAR
LOOK EXACTLY ALIKE.
I ALMOST JUST GLANCED AT IT AND KEPT GOING.
[ SIGHS ]
Bonnie: ATZ.
IT'S REALLY GOOD TO HAVE AN EXTRA PAIR OF EYES
OUT OF HERE, TOO.
HE LIKES ME TO KEEP MY EYES OPEN AND HELP HIM LOOK.
Atz: BONNIE HASN'T DONE A LOT OF HUNTING,
BUT HER EYES ARE QUITE A BIT BETTER THAN MINE.
I CAN SEE HIM REALLY GOOD FROM OVER, ATZ.
THEN, I COULD SEE HIM MOVE.
YOU GOT IT, ATZ.
I GOT HIM.
Narrator: ON THE BEACH BELOW THE HOMESTEAD,
ATZ KILCHER AND HIS WIFE, BONNIE,
SCAN THE BLUFFS FOR SIGNS OF BLACK BEARS.
Atz: FROM A DISTANCE,
A BLACK PIECE OF COAL AND A BLACK BEAR
LOOK EXACTLY ALIKE.
IT COULD BE A BEAR.
IT AIN'T MOVING IF IT IS A BEAR.
I ALMOST JUST GLANCED AT IT AND KEPT GOING.
I CAN SEE HIM REALLY GOOD FROM OVER HERE, ATZ.
THEN, I COULD SEE HIM MOVE.
YOU GOT IT, ATZ.
[ GUNSHOT ]
[ BEAR GROANS ]
I GOT HIM.
HE'S RUNNING, ATZ. HE'S RUNNING DOWN THE HILL.
NO, I GOT HIM.
HE HAS STOPPED BEHIND THE...
OKAY, BONNIE,
YOU KEEP LOOKING AT THIS SPOT, WILL YOU, PLEASE?
GOT IT?
SHOT HIM. I COULD TELL I HIT HIM.
HE ROLLED, RAN DOWNHILL.
FIRST, YOU HOPE HE'S BADLY WOUNDED AND MORTALLY WOUNDED
SO YOU EITHER FIND HIM DEAD OR YOU CATCH UP TO HIM.
AND THEN YOU START HOPING
THAT HE'S NOT WOUNDED BADLY AND HE'S STILL ALIVE.
I MEAN, ANY HUNTER HATES TO WOUND SOMETHING
AND HAVE IT JUST OUT THERE SUFFERING OR DYING.
YEAH. I SEE HIM.
THERE HE WAS CROSSING A SLIDE, RIGHT OUT IN THE OPEN.
HE WAS MOVING REAL SLOW, KIND OF LIMPING.
SO I THOUGHT HE WAS MORTALLY WOUNDED.
[ GUNSHOT ]
[BLEEP] DAMN, SON OF A...
OH, COME ON, ATZ.
GET HIM.
[BLEEP] DAMN.
DO YOU SEE HIM, BONNIE?
YOU KNOW WHERE HE IS?
I KNOW WHERE HE IS.
WELL, TELL ME, THEN.
HE MADE IT OVER TO THE NEXT GROUP OF ALDERS,
AND THEN WE LOST HIM.
OKAY. GLOVES.
I GOT ROPE.
OKAY. HERE I GO.
KEEP A LOOKOUT, BABY.
HE MIGHT NOT BE DEAD. HE MIGHT BE WOUNDED.
HE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GET AWAY.
HE MIGHT TURN AND ATTACK.
Narrator: WITH NO IDEA WHAT AWAITS HIM,
ATZ SCALES THE BLUFF ON FOOT TO FINISH WHAT HE STARTED.
JUST TWO MILES AWAY, AT THE HOMESTEAD,
ATZ'S NEPHEW EIVIN AND HIS WIFE, EVE,
BEGIN THEIR FOUR-MONTH GARDENING SEASON.
STEP ONE -- GATHER FERTILIZER.
PARK HERE?
YEAH, THIS IS GOOD.
WE'RE GOING TO GET A LOAD OF MANURE FROM OTTO'S COW YARD.
Eivin: MY DAD'S GOT A LOT OF COWS,
AND SO HE'S GOT A LOT OF COW [BLEEP]
LOOK AT THAT [BLEEP]
COW [BLEEP] IS BETTER THAN HORSE MANURE
OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT
BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY MORE COMPOSTED
GOING THROUGH THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM OF THE COW,
AND SO COW MANURE IS SUPERIOR.
Eve: I ROPED EIVIN INTO HELPING ME WITH THE EXCAVATOR
JUST SO WE CAN LOAD IT UP QUICK AND GET IT UP HERE.
Eivin: EVE'S GROWING A LOT OF VEGETABLES
KIND OF ON A SMALL COMMERCIAL SCALE,
AND WE NEED A LOT OF MANURE.
YOU'RE IN DEEP [BLEEP] NOW, HONEY.
[BLEEP]
[ LAUGHS ]
GETTING MANURE IS A VERY GROSS PROCESS.
IT'S SUPER STINKY,
AND YOU HAVE TO KIND OF BE RIGHT IN IT.
OH, GOD.
BUT I LEARNED TO LOVE IT, IN A WEIRD WAY,
BECAUSE I KNOW IT MEANS
THAT I WILL HAVE A REALLY ABUNDANT GARDEN.
Eivin: SHE LOVES IT WHEN I HELP HER
GET A WHOLE DUMP-TRUCK LOAD OF [BLEEP]
AH.
OH! [ LAUGHS ] DID IT GET YOU IN THE FACE?
IT GOT ME IN THE EYE.
ARE YOU OKAY?
THAT'LL BE BETTER.
[ LOCK CLICKS ]
YOU HAVE IT ACROSS YOUR FOREHEAD, TOO.
[ LAUGHS ]
IT'S AN EASY JOB. IT REALLY DIDN'T TAKE THAT LONG.
OVER AND DONE WITH PRETTY QUICK.
BUT IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE GOT TO DO IT.
SO I HAD TO KIND OF PULL MYSELF AWAY FROM OTHER THINGS.
BUT, IT NEEDED TO BE DONE, AND NOW IT IS.
Narrator: AFTER WOUNDING A BLACK BEAR ON THE BLUFFS,
ATZ SR. MUST TRACK THE ANIMAL UP A STEEP HILLSIDE
AND COMPLETE THE KILL.
Atz: BEING RAISED ON A HOMESTEAD,
TRACKING WAS A PART OF GROWING UP.
A BEAR, BECAUSE THEY HAVE PADDED FEET,
EVEN A BEAR WEIGHING 400 POUNDS,
WHERE THE GROUND IS DRY
AND THERE IS A CUSHION OF LEAVES THREE OR FOUR INCHES THICK,
YOU DON'T SEE ANY IMPRINTS.
I WAS HOPING TO SHOOT HIM IN THAT SLIDE,
AND HE'D HAVE ROLLED RIGHT DOWN TO HERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DID.
WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO HUNT,
WHETHER IT'S A MOOSE OR A SHEEP OR A GOAT OR A BEAR,
YOU'RE INTENTION IS TO FIND THE ANIMAL AND KILL IT,
BUTCHER IT, EAT IT.
BUT AS SOON AS YOU WOUND IT AND IT'S STARTING TO GET AWAY,
THE HUNTER MORPHS.
YOU'RE LIKE HALF WANTING TO GET IT,
HALF FEELING BAD FOR IT
BECAUSE IT'S WOUNDED AND IT'S SUFFERING.
AND THEN YOU BECOME MORE AND MORE FEELING BAD,
AND YOU WANT TO PUT THE ANIMAL OUT OF ITS MISERY.
SO THE GOAL ISN'T ANYMORE,
"I WANT TO SHOOT IT AND KILL IT AND BUTCHER."
YOUR GOAL THEN IS, "I GOT TO MAKE THIS RIGHT."
AND SO YOU THEN TURN INTO A COMPASSIONATE HELPER,
AND YOU'RE TRYING TO FIND THIS WOUNDED ANIMAL,
PUT IT OUT OF ITS MISERY,
EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE THE ONE THAT PUT IT INTO THAT MISERY.
OKAY. WE GOT BLOOD HERE.
SO THAT'S A DEFINITE IDENTIFICATION.
STILL GOT BLOOD DROPS HERE.
I WANT TO KEEP FOLLOWING THIS TRAIL HERE.
BLOOD HERE.
BLOOD IS THE MOST OBVIOUS THING YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.
SO YOU LOOK FOR TURNED-OVER LEAVES.
LEAVES THAT ARE DRIED IN THE SUN LOOK A CERTAIN WAY.
AND THEN WHEN YOU SEE LEAVES THAT HAVE TURNED OVER,
THEY'RE DARK.
AND, OF COURSE, WHERE THEY'RE CLIMBING,
THEY'RE GONNA LOOSEN DIRT.
THERE HE GOES.
AND THEN YOU CAN PICK UP THE SCUFF MARKS UP OVER THERE AGAIN.
RIGHT UP THROUGH THERE.
Narrator: 500 FEET UP THE HILLSIDE,
ATZ LOSES THE TRAIL OF THE WOUNDED BEAR.
HE FACES A PAINFUL DECISION.
Atz: IT'S ALWAYS HARD TO QUIT AND TURN BACK.
IT AIN'T JUST ABOUT QUITTING.
IT'S ABOUT SOMETHING WOUNDED OUT THERE,
SO I DON'T FEEL REAL GOOD RIGHT NOW.
FROM WHERE I SHOT HIM TO THE PLACE I QUIT TRACKING,
IT MIGHT HAVE TAKEN HIM 10 MINUTES
BECAUSE HE WAS MOVING.
IT TOOK US TWO HOURS TO GET THERE.
[ SIGHS ]
IT'S GETTING DARK, AND HE AIN'T STOPPING.
AND HE'S WAY FASTER THAN WE ARE,
SO NO TELLING WHERE HE IS BY NOW, SO...
I'M A MAN WHO HATES TO GIVE UP.
[ SIGHS ]
AT THAT POINT, IT WASN'T ANYMORE,
"GEE, I'M GONNA LOSE THE MEAT."
I HATE TO BE A LOSER.
I HATE TO GIVE UP.
IT WAS MORE JUST FEELING BAD THAT --
YOU KNOW THAT ANIMAL IS GONNA DIE WITHIN A FEW HOURS.
SO, HE'S GONNA SUFFER.
GONNA BE AN INFECTION, AND THE ANIMAL'S GONNA DIE.
[ CLICKS TONGUE ]
I'M AFRAID I'M GONNA HAVE TO CALL A QUIT ON THIS.
BUT I HATE TO.
I HATE TO.
Narrator: COMING UP...
ATZ SR.'s SON, ATZ LEE, AND HIS WIFE, JANE,
CORNER THEIR PREY.
OH, GOD. DID YOU GET IT?
AND EIVIN COMES FACE-TO-FACE WITH HIS WIFE'S NEMESIS.
Narrator: AT THE BLUFFS JUST SOUTH OF THE HOMESTEAD,
BLACK BEARS HAVE ALLUDED ATZ LEE AND HIS WIFE, JANE, THUS FAR.
Atz Lee: SPRING BEARING IS YOUR FIRST CHANCE TO GO OUT
AND GET SOME FRESH MEAT TO FILL THE FREEZER.
Narrator: A SINGLE BEAR COULD YIELD UP TO 200 POUNDS
OF BADLY NEEDED RED MEAT.
Atz Lee: GETTING A BEAR RIGHT IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SPRINGTIME,
THAT SAVES YOU COUNTLESS HOURS OF LABOR DOWN THE ROAD.
YOU KNOW, IT GIVES YOU EXTRA TIME
TO GET WORKING ON YOUR GARDEN, GET WORKING AROUND YOUR HOUSE,
OTHER PROJECTS YOU HAVE TO DO.
I MEAN, THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO BE DONE IN THE SUMMER
IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME
THAT BEING ABLE TO GET A BEAR JUST RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE,
IT JUST SETS UP THE YEAR GREAT FOR YOU.
HAVING TWO SETS OF EYES IS ALWAYS AN ADVANTAGE, YOU KNOW?
I'M DRIVING, KIND OF LOOKING FORWARD,
CHECKING BLUFFS, LOOKING FORWARD AND STUFF.
AND...
OH, I SEE ONE! HOLY [BLEEP] RIGHT THERE!
I SEE HIM. I SEE HIM.
TOO FAR?
LET'S TRY TO GET IN A LITTLE CLOSER ON HIM.
OH, MY GOD!
GOOD EYE, BABY. GOOD EYE.
OH, MY GOD.
[ GUN *** ]
ONE, TWO...
OH, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO. I SEE A BABY.
YOU CAN'T SHOOT HIM.
JANE, I'M JUST LOOKING.
YEAH. ONE CUB.
OBVIOUSLY, YOU DON'T WANT TO ORPHAN A CUB.
SHOOTING THE MOTHER WOULD LEAVE THE CUB DEFENSELESS.
IT WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO LEARN HOW TO HUNT, TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.
YOU KNOW, TWO YEARS DOWN THE LINE,
THAT CUB WILL BE ABLE TO BE BIG ENOUGH WHERE WE CAN HUNT IT.
SO YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE OUT A MOM AND LEAVE THE ORPHAN CUBS,
BECAUSE THE CHANCES OF THEM SURVIVING WITHOUT THE MOM
ARE REALLY SLIM.
THAT ONE GETS TO LIVE.
Jane: I'M GLAD WE DIDN'T ACT TOO FAST AND JUST GO FOR IT
BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED
IF WE EVER SHOT A MOM BEAR WITH CUBS OR A CUB.
BUT GOOD EYE, BABY. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.
JUST LIKE THAT.
RIGHT ON.
Narrator: WHILE ATZ LEE AND JANE PUSH ON,
HIS COUSIN EIVIN AND HIS WIFE, EVE,
PREPARE THE HOMESTEAD FOR SPRING PLANTING.
IN ALASKA, EVEN GARDENING CAN BE A BATTLE AGAINST NATURE.
Eve: THIS IS CALLED A HIGH TUNNEL,
AND IT'S USED FOR EXTENDING THE GROWING SEASON.
WE'RE ABLE TO GROW ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER IN A HIGH TUNNEL
AND GROW A MONTH LATER IN THE FALL.
A HIGH TUNNEL IS WHERE YOU GROW IN THE GROUND.
YOU'RE NOT GROWING ON TABLES AS YOU MIGHT IN A GREENHOUSE.
AND THERE IS ALSO NO ARTIFICIAL HEAT
AS THERE MIGHT BE IN A GREENHOUSE.
Eivin: SO, THIS YEAR, THE MICE INFESTATION
JUST GOT TERRIBLE IN THE HIGH TUNNEL.
AND THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM, BECAUSE AS SOON AS SHE STARTS
PUTTING ALL THESE NEW LITTLE BABY STARTS IN THE GROUND,
ALL OF HER BROCCOLIS AND KALES AND ALL THE VEGETABLES
THAT WE'RE GONNA NEED TO GROW ALL SUMMER LONG
SO WE'VE GOT THEM TO EAT,
THOSE MICE ARE JUST GONNA DEVASTATE THOSE LITTLE BABY PLANTS.
THEY'RE JUST GOING TO EAT THEM, KILL THEM, CHEW THEM UP.
AND SO I KIND OF GRABBED THE BB GUN
AND CAME BACK DOWN.
AND I'VE JUST KIND OF BEEN DOWN HERE, LAYING WAIST TO MICE
THIS AFTERNOON.
[ BB GUN CLICKING ]
[ MICE SQUEAKING ]
[ BB GUN FIRES ]
MICE ARE JUST KIND OF LITTLE SCAVENGERS,
AND THEY LIVE OFF OF WHATEVER THEY CAN,
AND THEY EAT WHATEVER THEY CAN.
THEY SEEM TO BE, LIKE, DIGGING DOWN ALONG ONE WALL,
HIDING BEHIND THE NET.
AND SO I JUST KIND OF WALKED UP AND DOWN THERE A LOT
AND GOT A FEW THAT WAY.
[ BB GUN FIRES ]
I KIND OF JUST POSTED UP FOR A LITTLE WHILE THERE ON THE BUCKET
AND REALIZED THAT IT WORKED PRETTY GOOD
IF THEY DIDN'T SEE ME MOVING.
SO I JUST KIND OF WOULD HOLD STILL.
AND IT SEEMED PRETTY EFFECTIVE.
[ BB GUN FIRES ]
[ CHUCKLES ]
THE BB GUN, YOU KNOW, DOES AN AWESOME JOB ON TAKING OUT MICE.
IT'S THE OLD BB GUN I HAD FROM WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER,
AND I ACTUALLY HAVEN'T SHOT IT IN YEARS,
BUT IT'S STILL FIRING TRUE.
[ BB GUN FIRING, MICE SQUEAKING ]
HE'S ON THE DAMN POLE. HE'S ON THE NET.
HA!
YOU LITTLE ***.
[ BB GUN FIRES ]
I COULD THROW THE MICE IN THE WOODS OR THE WEEDS
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT,
BUT I JUST DECIDED THAT, HECK,
THEY'D PROBABLY MAKE GOOD COMPOST.
THEY'VE BEEN EATING FROM THE GARDEN ALL WINTER.
THEY MIGHT AS WELL FEED THE GARDEN, AS WELL,
AND SO THEY'LL ALL JUST KIND OF BE
PART OF THAT WHOLE CYCLE OF LIFE.
Narrator: AT THE BLUFFS BELOW THE HOMESTEAD,
ATZ LEE AND JANE CONTINUE THEIR EXHAUSTING SEARCH
FOR BLACK BEAR.
I SEE A BIG OLD EAGLE'S NEST. TWO OF THEM.
Atz Lee: ADRENALINE SOMETIMES CAN BE YOUR WORST ENEMY.
IT CAN MAKE YOU PULL THE TRIGGER TOO QUICK.
IT CAN MAKE YOU MISS YOUR TARGET.
IT CAN MAKE YOU SHOOT AT SOMETHING THAT'S TOO FAR AWAY
THAT YOU'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO ACCESS.
YOUR ADRENALINE, DEFINITELY IT STARTS PUMPING
WHEN YOU SEE A BEAR
BECAUSE YOU'RE ABOUT TO, LIKE, GO INTO THIS WHOLE PROCESS
OF KILLING SOMETHING,
SOMETHING REALLY MAJESTIC AND BEAUTIFUL AND CUTE.
Atz Lee: SO IT TAKES A LOT OF EXPERIENCE
TO KIND OF LEARN HOW TO CALM YOURSELF.
JANE DOESN'T HAVE THAT EXPERIENCE YET.
THERE'S A BEAR.
HE'S ON THAT RIDGE AT THE VERY TOP.
Jane: HOLY [BLEEP]
HOW ARE WE GONNA GET HIM FROM UP THERE?
LET ME GET A LOOK AT HIM.
YEP. HE'S SOLO, BABY.
[ GUN *** ]
YOU LOCKED AND LOADED?
YOU JUST GO AHEAD.
GO.
HE'S GOING TO THE RIDGE. YOU ON HIM?
I'M WAITING AS LONG AS I CAN.
I CAN'T GET THE BULLET.
OH, GOD!
OH! DID YOU GET IT?
WHERE DID HE GO?
HE WENT INTO HIS DEN.
THERE HE IS! I'M ON HIM AGAIN.
OH, MY GOD. AH! [BLEEP]
YOU GOT HIM?
NO.
THE SWITCH GOES OFF, THAT ADRENALINE PUMPS IN.
THE BEAR WAS MOVING. I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE MUCH TIME.
I MISSED THE SHOT.
USUALLY, I TRY TO TAKE A COUPLE OF BREATHS,
LOOK AT THE BEAR THROUGH THE SCOPE,
AND JUST SEE IF IT'S IN A HURRY, IF IT'S MOVING.
IF IT'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE,
IT GIVES ME EXTRA TIME TO CALM DOWN,
LET MY HEART RATE COME DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
BUT IF THE BEAR IS ON THE MOVE,
YOU'RE SHAKY, YOU'RE ADRENALINE'S PUMPING AND STUFF.
AT 500 YARDS, TRYING TO KEEP THE CROSSHAIRS ON THAT TARGET
CAN BE REAL DIFFICULT.
Jane: DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S WORTH STICKING AROUND
TO SEE IF HE'LL POP BACK OUT
'CAUSE HE REALLY IS IN A TRICKY SITUATION.
IT WAS A LONG SHOT.
Atz Lee: YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU CAN SHOOT A BEAR,
AND IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN
THAT YOU'RE GONNA BE TAKING IT HOME.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO --
IF I SHOOT THE BEAR AND IT FALLS DOWN THE CLIFF,
IT'S GOING TO LAND IN MY HANDS BASICALLY.
BUT IF IT GETS HUNG UP IN THAT LITTLE PATCH OF ALDERS UNDERNEATH,
THERE'S NO WAY I CAN SCALE THAT CLIFF AND GET TO IT.
THEN YOU END UP LOSING THE MEAT, LETTING IT GO TO WASTE.
AND YOU REALLY WANT TO AVOID THAT.
HE'S GONE.
Narrator: COMING UP...
ATZ GETS DESPERATE.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
[ BEAR GROWLS ]
SON OF...
Narrator: AND OTTO AND CHARLOTTE GET A SECOND CHANCE
AT A COMPLICATED DELIVERY.
Otto: BREATHE.
[ EAGLE SCREECHING ]
Narrator: BELOW THE BLUFFS, TWO MILES FROM THE HOMESTEAD,
ATZ SR. RETURNS TO THE HUNT
AFTER MAIMING AND FAILING TO RECOVER
HIS FIRST BLACK BEAR OF THE SEASON.
Atz: WELL, YOU KNOW, I'VE SPENT MORE TIME THINKING ABOUT THAT
THAN A NORMAL MAN SHOULD.
I DON'T KNOW IF EVERY HUNTER
WOULD THINK ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT AS LONG AS I DID.
I THINK I'M A LITTLE ABNORMAL.
[ GUNSHOT ]
[ GUN *** ]
[ GUNSHOTS ]
[ GUN *** ]
COME ON, DAMN IT.
[ GUNSHOT ]
[ BEAR GROWLS ]
YOU RELIVE IT DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY,
AND YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES, AND YOU SEE IT AGAIN.
YOU THINK, "WHAT IN THE WORLD WENT WRONG?
WHAT DID I DO WRONG?"
I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO ME.
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT. I COULDN'T CHANGE IT.
IT'S NOT LIKE YOUR MAD OR ANGRY OR HAVE BLOODLUST.
HEY, THAT'S A BEAR.
THAT'S YOUR JOB.
THE LEAVES ARE JUST NOW STARTING TO COME OUT.
SO THERE IS THE SMALL WINDOW
DURING WHICH THERE ARE NO LEAVES,
BUT THE BEARS ARE OUT.
BUT THERE'S A LOT OF THEM AROUND.
[ GUNSHOTS ]
[ BEAR GROWLS ]
DAMN SON OF [BLEEP]
Narrator: FIVE MILES WEST, ATZ SR.'s SON, ATZ LEE,
ISN'T HAVING ANY BETTER LUCK.
Atz Lee: I HAVE NO IDEA.
I'M ON A STRANGE PLANET WHERE BULLETS MISS BEARS.
Jane: OH!
OH, MY GOD! HE'S RUNNING!
OH.
I SEE HIM.
HE'S STILL RUNNING.
DO YOU SEE HIM?
NO.
Atz Lee: I LOST HIM.
WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING THROUGH A SCOPE
AT A TARGET THAT'S ANYWHERE FROM 150 TO 500 YARDS AWAY,
THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT, THE SLIGHTEST TWITCH OF YOUR FINGER,
CAN GET YOU THREE TO FOUR FEET OFF TARGET,
LEFT OR RIGHT, UP OR DOWN.
AH-HA!
EVERY TIME YOU PULL THE TRIGGER,
IT'S ALWAYS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
YOU ALWAYS MOVE ON, THINKING,
"WHAT COULD I HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?
YOU KNOW, WHAT COULD I HAVE HAD DONE
SO THAT I COULD HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN SUCCESSFUL ON THAT SHOT?"
SOMETIMES THEY GET AWAY, BABY. NOTHING YOU CAN DO.
I DIDN'T TRY TO SHOOT HIM.
JUST KEEP TRYING.
YOU'RE GETTING A LOT OF GOOD EXPERIENCE, THOUGH.
I CAN REMEMBER EVERY HUNT I'VE EVER BEEN ON,
FAILED, SUCCESSFUL.
AND I CAN REMEMBER EVERY TIME I'VE SHOT AN ANIMAL.
I CAN REMEMBER EVERY TIME I'VE MISSED AN ANIMAL.
AND THIS SPRING EXPERIENCE
IS JUST ADDING UP MORE OF THOSE MEMORIES.
IT'S PART OF THE REASON THAT I LOVE HUNTING.
IT'S SOMETHING, I THINK,
THAT WHEN I'M OLD AND LAYING ON MY DEATHBED,
I'LL PROBABLY BE DRIFTING AROUND,
THINKING ABOUT ALL THOSE TIMES THAT I HAD, SO...
AND NOW IT'S EVEN BETTER
BECAUSE I GET TO HAVE JANE TO TIE THOSE MEMORIES INTO, ALSO.
Narrator: AFTER FAILING TO SECURE A BEAR ON THE BLUFFS,
ATZ LEE AND JANE CALL IT QUITS.
THEY MAY HAVE TO SEARCH FOR OTHER SOURCES OF FRESH MEAT.
ATZ LEE'S UNCLE, OTTO,
LOST EIGHT OF HIS 30 HEAD OF CATTLE
TO BROWN BEAR ATTACKS LAST SUMMER.
THIS SPRING,
HE'S COUNTING ON HEALTHY CALVES TO REBUILD THE HERD.
[ COW MOOING ]
Otto: IN NATURE, SPRING IS THE BIRTHING SEASON.
I'VE BEEN WATCHING A COUPLE OF HEIFERS AND A COW.
AND, OF COURSE, CHARLOTTE HAD BEEN WATCHING THIS ONE HERE
THE LAST THREE WEEKS.
Charlotte: OUR LAST HEIFER HAD HAD A BAD BIRTH.
HER CALF DIED.
AND SO I WAS JUST REMEMBERING THAT CONSTANTLY.
I'M SURE I'M MORE EMOTIONAL ABOUT IT THAN OTTO IS.
BUT THERE ARE TIMES
WHEN I KNOW HE'S AFFECTED AND VERY SAD ABOUT LOSING A CALF.
IT'S HARD. IT'S HARD.
Narrator: THE KILCHERS GET A SECOND CHANCE.
ANOTHER OF OTTO'S COWS, TWISTED SISTER, GOES INTO LABOR.
AND WITHOUT WARNING, OTTO AND CHARLOTTE
FACE YET ANOTHER LIFE-THREATENING BIRTH.
Otto: IT'S PRETTY EXHAUSTING.
MOSTLY, IT'S EMOTIONALLY TIRING.
OH, MY GOD.
YOU'RE AT THE END OF A LONG WINTER.
YOU'RE KIND OF LOOKING FOR SPRING.
YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THINGS TO GET EASIER.
AND THEN YOU GET HIT WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
WHEN I WALKED UP, I JUST SAID, "OH, MAN, THIS IS NOT GOOD."
FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS
THE TONGUE WAS KIND OF LULLING OR HANGING OUT.
I THOUGHT, "YOU GOT TO BE [BLEEP] ME," YOU KNOW?
BREATHE.
BREATHE.
COME ON.
I WAS JUST ALREADY SO WORN OUT BY THE FIRST STILLBIRTH.
HAVING A SECOND ONE WAS REALLY JUST A DEVASTATING THOUGHT.
[ COW MOOS ]
OKAY. THERE YOU GO.
GOOD BOY.
Otto: I'M KIND OF IN AWE AT THESE ANIMALS
AND, IN A WAY, THE LIFE THAT WE LIVE.
OH, MY GOSH. I'M RELIEVED.
THAT IS JUST A PERFECT SITUATION.
THERE'S A LOT OF LIFE ON THE HOMESTEAD,
AND, THEREFORE, THERE'S A LOT OF DEATH, TOO, YOU KNOW?
AND IN LIFE, YOU'RE GONNA ENCOUNTER DEATH.
AND I'VE TOUGHENED UP A LOT.
[ COW MOOS ]
YEAH, THAT'S YOUR BABY.
Narrator: COMING UP...
AFTER MANURE AND VERMIN,
GARDENING GETS DOWN AND DIRTY.
THE REAL WORKS BEGINS.
Narrator: ATZ WON'T GIVE UP THE BEAR HUNT
OR HIS GUILTY CONSCIOUS.
[ GUNSHOT ]
Atz: I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
Charlotte: BIRTHING ISSUES -- WE HAVE ISSUES EVERY YEAR.
THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING.
I WAS TRYING TO WORK WITH A CALF,
GETTING THE CALF TO NURSE ON THE MOTHER.
AND I WAS LEANING DOWN WITH THE CALF,
AND THE MOTHER JUST REACHED AROUND
AND GRABBED THE HAT OFF OF MY HEAD.
OH, NO! DON'T EAT MY HAT.
NO WAY! OH, MY FRICKIN' GOD!
NO WAY! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!
YOU CAN'T EAT THAT! EVE MADE ME THAT HAT.
YOU BETTER SPIT IT OUT! OH, MY GOD!
SHE SNATCHED IT OFF MY HEAD.
DROP THE HAT. DROP THE HAT!
[BLEEP] DAMN IT! I GOT IT!
AH!
THAT IS SO SICK!
IT WAS JUST DISGUSTING.
OH, MY GOD. IT'S IN HOLES.
YOU FREAKY COW!
THAT'S LIKE MY FAVORITE, ABSOLUTELY TOP-FAVORITE HAT.
OH, MY GOD!
Narrator: GARDENING IN ALASKA IS A RACE AGAINST TIME.
EVE HAS A BRIEF FOUR-MONTH GROWING SEASON
TO PRODUCE ENOUGH VEGETABLES
TO FEED HER FAMILY FOR THE REMAINING EIGHT MONTHS.
Eve: I ROTOTILLED AND CREATED BEDS.
THEN WE PLANTED SEEDS
AND COVERED THEM TO KEEP THEM WARM
BECAUSE IT'S STILL PRETTY COLD OUT.
THE SPRING IS REALLY INTENSE.
IT'S THIS HUGE PUSH.
YOU FEEL PRESSURE FOR TIME
BECAUSE YOU NEED TO GET EVERYTHING IN
AND EVERYTHING GOING
BECAUSE IT EFFECTS THE ENTIRE REST OF THE SUMMER.
LIKE, THE SOONER YOU GET THE GARDEN IN,
THE QUICKER THEY'RE GONNA BE GROWING
AND HOPEFULLY PRODUCING FOOD.
WHAT I'M HOPING TO PUT AWAY FOR THE WINTER
IS AT LEAST 100 POUNDS OF POTATOES,
100 POUNDS OF CARROTS, AND 100 POUNDS OF BEETS
AND THEN A BUNCH OF CABBAGE, AS WELL.
I THINK WE'RE ABOUT TWO WEEKS AWAY
FROM HAVING OUR FIRST SALAD.
PLANTING IS SOMETIMES THE EASY PART.
ONCE THE SEEDS ARE PLANTED, THEN THE REAL WORK BEGINS.
AND IT'S THE MAINTAINING, THAT'S THE WORK.
IT'S THE EVERYDAY MAINTAINING AND KEEPING THINGS ALIVE.
I FEEL LIKE IT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
FOR MY SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH
TO WORK IN A GARDEN
AND WORK IN THE DIRT AND GROW MY OWN FOOD.
THAT DIRECT RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY YOU PUT OUT
IS WHAT IS GIVEN BACK TO YOU.
Narrator: ONE MILE SOUTH OF THE HOMESTEAD,
ATZ SR. REMAINS AT THE BLUFFS,
CONTINUING HIS THUS FAR FAILED SEARCH FOR RED MEAT.
Atz: I SAW 10 BEARS -- SHOT AT FOUR, WOUNDED ONE.
TWO I SHOT AT WERE A LONG WAYS OFF,
BUT THE VERY FIRST ONE THAT I SAW THIS SPRING
WAS A REALLY EASY SHOT.
AND WHEN I MISSED THAT BEAR...
DAMN SON OF A...
...I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.
SO, DON'T KNOW. MAYBE I NEED A NEW RIFLE.
INSTEAD OF SIGHTING IT AT 100 YARDS --
THEN YOU GOT WALK WAY DOWN THERE AND CHECK --
I'M SIGHTING IT AT A 25.
SO I'M JUST GONNA SET UP SOMETHING HERE, 25 YARDS,
AND MAKE SURE I'M ON.
[ GUN *** ]
IT'S NOT A GREAT FEELING
TO ADMIT I MISSED A PRETTY EASY SHOT.
I WOUNDED IT, AND IT GOT AWAY.
[ GUNSHOT ]
YOU KNOW, I WAS RAISED BY A MAN WHO, WHEN SOMETHING WENT WRONG,
HE RIGHT AWAY BLAMED SOMEONE AROUND HIM.
AND I LEARNED THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD THING TO DO.
IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG,
I RIGHT AWAY BLAME MY WIFE OR MY KIDS.
SO WHEN MY WIFE OR KIDS AREN'T AROUND,
I'M GONNA BLAME MY RIFLE.
I'D SAY THAT'S PRETTY MUCH DEAD CENTER OF THAT CAN.
AND I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WHEN I HIT THAT CAN DEAD CENTER.
I'D LIKE TO BLAME MY RIFLE, BUT I CAN'T.
MY RIFLE IS GOOD.
I MISSED.
OKAY. I MISSED.
COULD NOT BLAME MY RIFLE. COULD NOT BLAME MY SCOPE.
AND SO NOW I'M BLAMING THE CLIFF.
IT WAS IN THE ALDERS.
IF ANYTHING, I SHOULD HAVE WAITED
UNTIL HE WAS A LITTLE MORE OBVIOUS
AND I COULD HAVE AIMED A LITTLE MORE PRECISELY.
I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE I'M LOSING MY EDGE.
MAYBE I NEED TO QUIT HUNTING. I DON'T KNOW.
OR MAYBE I'M GETTING TOO OLD. [ LAUGHS ]
I ALWAYS TRY TO TAKE A LESSON AWAY FROM ANY MISTAKE I MAKE
AND TRY TO GET SOME GOOD OUT OF IT.
AND WHAT MY GOOD OUT OF THAT WAS I BLAMED MYSELF.
WISH I HAD ME A HOUND DOG.
Narrator: NEXT ON "ALASKA: THE LAST FRONTIER"...
[ LAUGHS ]
I AM NOT A ROCK CLIMBER. AH!
...THE KILCHERS REACH DIZZYING HEIGHTS AND NEW DEPTHS
TO FIND FOOD.
Atz Lee: I THINK THEY'RE FROM A DIFFERENT PLANET.
AH! OH, BOY.
MOVE IT! MOVE IT, MOVE IT, MOVE IT!
Narrator: THE ANNUAL CATTLE DRIVE TURNS INTO AN EPIC BATTLE,
WHERE LIFE AND DEATH HANG IN THE BALANCE.
THE CALF'S HEAD WAS MOSTLY UNDER THE WATER.
HE NEEDS HELP, MAN. COME ON!
Narrator: AND THE BIGGEST SURPRISE YET.
SO, GUESS WHAT.