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Narrator: ALASKA -- THE LAST FRONTIER.
OTTO KILCHER DROVE HIS HERD OF CATTLE
FROM THE HOMESTEAD 20 MILES UP THE BEACH
TO THE SUMMER PASTURES AT THE HEAD OF THE BAY.
WE'VE HAD BIRTHS ON THE TRAIL TO DEATHS ON THE TRAIL.
HIP, HIP, HIP! I'LL GET THAT ONE.
Narrator: THIS HERD IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF HIS FAMILY'S EXISTENCE.
HIP, HIP, HIP, HIP, HIP!
IT'S A LONG AND DANGEROUS JOURNEY
FOR THE CATTLE AND THE HOMESTEADERS.
CATTLE DRIVE TAKES YOU TO YOUR LIMITS.
Otto: SON OF A [BLEEP]
Narrator: NOW SUMMER IS HERE,
BUT PLAGUED BY LOOMING STORMS AND BROKEN MACHINERY,
OTTO HAS LITTLE TIME TO HARVEST THE HOMESTEAD HAY THAT HE NEEDS
TO FEED HIS CATTLE IN THE BRUTAL WINTER MONTHS AHEAD...
THE COWS DIE, WE'LL DIE.
Narrator: ...WHILE HIS BROTHER ATZ SR.
RIDES THE RANGE THROUGH THE LONG SUMMER DAYS,
SURROUNDED BY ALASKA'S BIGGEST PREDATORS.
Atz: BAD NEWS. OTTO LOST HIS BULL LAST NIGHT.
ATZ SR. DEFENDS OTTO'S CATTLE
FROM THESE EVER-PRESENT CARNIVORES.
[ GUNSHOT ]
♪ SOMETIMES IT'S BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS ♪
♪ ON ALASKA'S LAST FRONTIER ♪
♪ BUT LIFE IS SIMPLE, LIFE IS GOOD ♪
♪ WHEN YOU'RE LIVIN' 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
Narrator: AT THE HEAD OF KACHEMAK BAY,
THERE ARE THREE RIVERS --
THE FOX, THE SHEEP, AND THE BRADLEY.
HERE, 20 MILES FROM THE HOMESTEAD,
OTTO KILCHER KEEPS HIS 32 HEAD OF CATTLE
FOR THE BRIEF ALASKAN SUMMER.
THIS HERD IS VITAL FOR HIS FAMILY'S SURVIVAL.
AS HE DOES EVERY SUMMER, OTTO'S BROTHER, ATZ SR.,
WILL SPEND THE MAJORITY OF HIS TIME
LIVING HERE AND RIDING THE RANGE,
MAINTAINING THE CATTLE'S ONLY LINE OF DEFENSE.
Atz: I'M UP HERE RIGHT NOW RANGE RIDING.
I'M LOOKING FOR PREDATOR TRACKS.
I'M LOOKING AT THE HEALTH OF THE HERD --
ANY OF THEM WOUNDED?
ARE ANY OF THEM MISSING?
YOU'RE JUST KIND OF LOOKING.
[ COWS MOOING ]
Narrator: BUT WITH THE BENEFITS OF THIS NATURAL FEEDING GROUND
COMES A PRICE.
THE CATTLE ARE NOT THE ONLY ANIMALS
TO CALL THIS PLACE THEIR HOME.
Atz: FOR ANY CATTLE GRAZING ON ANY RANGE,
THERE ARE DANGERS OF SOME SORT OR ANOTHER.
BUT THE HEAD OF THE BAY WHERE THESE CATTLE ARE,
THEY INTERFACE WITH SOME MAJOR PREDATORS --
WOLVES, BLACK BEAR, AND BROWN BEAR.
MOST OF THE TIME WHEN I'M UP HERE,
YOU GET THE EERIE FEELING THAT
THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF CRITTERS WATCHING US
THAT YOU DON'T EVEN SEE.
THAT'S THE WAY IT IS.
THE CATTLE HANG OUT MOSTLY IN THE TIDAL FLATS,
WHERE THERE'S THAT GOOD GRASS THAT THEY ALL LOVE.
EVERY RIVER HAS LITTLE TRIBUTARIES.
EVERY RIVER HAS LITTLE TIDAL GUTS,
WHEN THE TIDE SPILLS OUT.
IT HAS DUG THESE GUTS THAT MAY BE
FROM THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX FEET DEEP
TO SIX INCHES WIDE TO SIX FEET WIDE
THAT COWS AND CALVES CAN GET STUCK IN AND CAN DIE IN.
YOUR EYES AND EARS ARE YOUR BIGGEST TOOLS OUT THERE,
AND YOU BASICALLY ARE LOOKING 360°
ANY TIME YOU'RE RIDING ALONG.
YOU'RE NOT JUST LOOKING AHEAD, TO THE LEFT, AND THE RIGHT.
YOU ARE DOING A LOT OF LOOKING BEHIND YOU, TOO,
'CAUSE ANYTHING COULD BE HIDING,
AND WHEN YOU GO BY, IT'S COME BACK OUT.
LIKE A RADAR -- PICTURE A RADAR GOING AROUND AND AROUND.
YOU'RE SCANNING,
AND AS SOON AS YOU PICK UP SOME "BLEEP, BLEEP" --
PHEW -- THAT'S WHERE YOUR EYES GO.
HYAH! HIP! HYAH!
BETWEEN WATCHING FOR PREDATORS,
SHEPHERDING THE COWS WITH THE HIGH TIDES
AND PULLING CALVES OUT OF
THESE LITTLE QUICKSAND BOGS AND LITTLE TIDAL GUTS,
I MEAN, YOU CAN GO CRAZY UP THERE
JUST WORRYING THE WHOLE TIME ABOUT HOW THEY'RE ALL DOING.
HEY, ATZ.
HEY, MARK.
HOW'S IT GOING UP HERE?
IT'S GOING GOOD.
Narrator: MARK MORETTE IS A NEIGHBOR AND FELLOW RANGE RIDER
WHO HAS TRAVELED UP THE BAY TO CHECK ON HIS OWN CATTLE HERD
GRAZING IN ANOTHER AREA JUST A FEW MILES AWAY.
WELL, I WAS JUST OUT BY THE COWS BEFORE I RAN IN HERE,
AND I RAN INTO A BROWN BEAR SOW
WITH TWO OF THIS YEAR'S CUBS
RIGHT OUT BY THE BIG ISLAND.
SHE'S ON, LIKE, THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF IT THERE.
THE CUBS WERE RIGHT UP ON THE ISLAND.
HAD SHE BEEN THERE AWHILE? COULD YOU TELL?
YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T GO IN CLOSE,
BUT SHE'S A REAL BIG BEAR.
LAST YEAR, THAT SOW THAT WAS THERE,
SHE WAS REALLY BIG.
THINK IT MIGHT BE THE SAME ONE?
I THINK IT'S THE SAME BEAR, AND SHE'S RIGHT BACK OUT THERE,
BUT IT'S BIG AND IT'S, LIKE, A REAL BLONDE-TYPE BEAR.
Atz: I'M NOW GOING TO GO
A LITTLE MORE CAUTIOUSLY THAN I NORMALLY WOULD HAVE.
I KNOW WHERE SHE'S AT,
SO I KIND TO KNOW TO SWING WIDE
AND CHECK OUT WITH MY GLASSES WAY AHEAD OF TIME.
Narrator: AS ATZ SR.
OVERSEES THE CATTLE'S SAFETY AT THE HEAD OF THE BAY,
BACK AT THEIR HOMESTEAD 20 MILES AWAY,
HIS BROTHER OTTO HAS THE COLOSSAL TASK
OF CUTTING THE ANNUAL WINTER HAY CROP.
Otto: OH, MAN, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER,
SO IF WE GET SOME SUNSHINE, WE GOT TO HAY.
WE GOT TO KNOCK THE GRASS DOWN.
IDEALLY, YOU WOULD CUT IN THE MORNING,
A LITTLE WHILE AFTER SUNRISE.
THE GRASS HAS THE MOST SUGARS IN IT.
THAT'S WHEN THE GRASS IS COMING UP TO MEET THE SUN
AND IT'S SENDING ALL OF ITS NUTRIENTS UP.
THAT'S THE BEST TIME TO CUT,
AND HOPEFULLY HAVE IT DRY ENOUGH AT THE END OF THREE DAYS
TO BALE IT.
IF NOTHING BREAKS DOWN.
IT'S A BIG CRAPSHOOT.
Narrator: THERE ARE OVER 100 ACRES OF HAY
READY TO BE CUT.
OTTO WILL NEED THE ENTIRE CROP TO FEED HIS CATTLE
THROUGHOUT THE GRUELING WINTER MONTHS AHEAD.
HE MUST CUT, DRY, AND BALE ALL OF IT
IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS BEFORE IT GOES TO SEED
OR THE SUMMER RAINS GET IT TOO WET, CAUSING IT TO ROT.
Otto: TO CUT OUR GRASS DOWN, WE NEED A MOWER
THAT CAN HANDLE THE ABUSE WE'RE ABOUT TO GIVE IT.
THIS MOWER, I GOT IT 20 YEARS AGO.
THIS LITTLE BABY HAS GONE AROUND A LOT OF THE LOCAL FIELDS
MANY, MANY TIMES.
[ THUDDING ]
WHOA!
[BLEEP]
[BLEEP]
JUST WHEN I THINK THINGS WERE RUNNING SMOOTHLY,
I RUN OVER AN OLD FENCE POST AND BENT A COUPLE CUTTER BLADES.
NOW EVERYTHING HAS GROUND TO A HALT.
Narrator: BACK AT THE HEAD OF THE BAY,
ATZ SR. IS PREPARING TO SCOUT THE BROWN BEAR AND HER CUBS.
HIS HORSES ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF HIS RANGE RIDING.
Atz: RANGE RIDING IS A JOB,
AND TO GET TO THE JOB, YOU NEED TRANSPORTATION.
THESE HORSES, I'M ON THEM FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT HOURS A DAY,
SO YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE A WELL-OILED MACHINE.
JUST LIKE A GOOD HORSE, A RIFLE IS PRICELESS.
I USE A 30-06 WITH A SCOPE FOR PROTECTION
TO PROTECT ME OR TO PROTECT THE COWS.
IT'S A SERIOUS, IMPORTANT TOOL.
YOU GOT TO KNOW IT'S WORKING.
YOU GOT TO KNOW IT'S GONNA HIT THE MARK,
AND YOU GOT TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT.
BESIDES A GOOD HORSE AND GOOD RIFLE,
YOU NEED A GOOD ROPE.
YOU NEED A GOOD LARIAT.
YOU HAVE TO ROPE COWS TO GET SNARES OFF THEIR LEG.
YOU HAVE TO PULL THEM OUT OF BOGS,
SO YOU NEED A GOOD ROPE.
AND I HEARD FROM MARK THAT
THERE'S A BROWN BEAR SOW WITH TWO CUBS
OVER BY THE BIG ISLAND OVER THERE.
COWS ARE OUT THERE.
THIS GRASS AROUND THIS ISLAND IS JUST PRIMO STUFF.
IT'S SEDGE GRASS, AND THE COWS LOVE IT,
BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN AROUND HERE,
AND SHE'S THE REASON.
THESE COWS HAVE HAD ENOUGH BRUSHES WITH BROWN BEAR
WHERE THEY'RE PRETTY SCARED OF THEM.
SOMETIMES I SEE A HELL OF A LOT BETTER WITH A SCOPE.
OH, YEAH.
THERE SHE IS.
THESE BRAND-NEW, LITTLE BABY CUBS.
THEY'RE SURE DARK.
LOOKS LIKE A DAMN BUFFALO OUT THERE.
SHE IS HUGE.
THEN HER BACK END AND THEN HER HUMP AND HER SHOULDERS
AND HER NECK AND THEN HER HEAD.
I MEAN, LOOKED LIKE A DAMN FREIGHT TRAIN.
IT'S A GREAT PLACE FOR HER TO HIDE HER CUBS,
UP IN THAT ISLAND.
KEEPS THEM SAFE.
THIS ISLAND AT HIGH TIDE IS TOTALLY ISOLATED,
AND EVEN AT LOW TIDE, IT'S -- IT'S PRETTY ISOLATED HERE.
A BEST-CASE SCENARIO IS SHE EATS HER GRASS,
AND THE COWS EAT THEIR GRASS,
AND SHE RAISES HER CUBS,
AND SHE MOSEYS ON OUT OF THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE
THAT BROWNIES ARE PRIMARILY VEGETARIANS.
EAT A LOT OF FISH, TOO.
A LOT OF THEM DON'T EVER EAT ANY MEAT.
SO SHE MAY JUST BE A FRIENDLY,
GRASS-EATING, FISH-EATING BROWN BEAR.
BUT, WORST-CASE SCENARIO --
I'M WATCHING HER KILL A COW
OR I COME UPON A COW THAT SHE'S KILLED,
AND THEN YOU GOT TO MAKE --
I MEAN, I'D PROBABLY ONLY SHOOT HER IF SHE WAS CHARGING ME,
AND SHE WON'T DO THAT IF I KEEP MY DISTANCE.
I CAN LEGALLY PROTECT MY LIFE AND PROPERTY
IF I CAUGHT HER IN THE ACT OF KILLING A COW,
BUT THAT WOULD BE A TOUGH MOMENT.
I'M KILLING A MAMA BEAR THAT
HAS TWO CUBS THAT ARE DEPENDING ON HER.
SO, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW.
IT'D BE A TOUGH CALL.
BROWN BEAR OVER HERE.
CATTLE OVER THERE.
ALL EATING GRASS FOR NOW
AND THAT'S THE WAY WE WANT TO KEEP IT.
Narrator: COMING UP...
OTTO'S PROBLEM IS WORSE THAN HE THOUGHT.
IF WE DON'T DO IT RIGHT NOW, IT'LL COME BACK AND HAUNT US.
Narrator: ATZ SR. ENCOUNTERS A DEADLY PREDATOR.
Atz: WE'VE HAD TO KILL A COUPLE OF BROWN BEAR.
WE CALL THEM "BAD BEARS," OKAY?
THEY GOT THE TASTE OF BEEF.
Narrator: HERE AT THE HEAD OF KACHEMAK BAY,
THE KILCHERS HAVE BROUGHT THEIR HERD OF CATTLE
TO GRAZE FOR THE SUMMER.
ATZ SR. IS THEIR GUARDIAN,
AND WITH A HUGE MOTHER BROWN BEAR CLOSE BY,
HE IS ON HIGH ALERT.
[ ANIMAL GRUNTS ]
Atz: WOLVES AND BROWN BEAR
HAVE BEEN KILLING MOOSE AND MOOSE CALVES
PROBABLY FOR CENTURIES,
BUT THEY GET THE TASTE OF CATTLE,
THEN YOU HAVE A BEGINNING OF A PROBLEM.
Narrator: ATZ SR. NOTICES
THE LARGE NUMBER OF BIRDS CIRCLING THE AREA.
THIS PROVIDES HIM A CLEAR REASON
TO CONTINUE CHECKING THE TIDAL PASTURE.
YOU CAN SEE NOTHING --
YOU KNOW, NOTHING TORE IT UP, NOTHING KILLED IT,
AND IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A WOLF OR A BEAR,
THEY'D HAVE EATEN MOST OF IT BY NOW.
OTTO AND CHARLOTTE ARE REALLY GONNA BE UPSET.
YOU KNOW, THEY LOVE THEIR CATTLE
AND IT'S INEVITABLE TO LOSE ONE OR TWO,
BUT THIS LOSS ALWAYS HURTS.
SO, HARD TO KNOW -- HARD TO KNOW WHY IT DIED.
THE BIRDS WILL FIND IT.
AS SOON AS THE BIRDS FIND IT...
THE OTHER CRITTERS OUT THERE WATCH THE BIRDS,
AND THEY'LL COME IN,
SO I'LL PROBABLY HAUL IT OVER TO THE RIVER
AND JUST THROW IT IN THE RIVER AND LET IT FLOAT DOWN THE RIVER,
'CAUSE LET IT SIT HERE AND THEN BEARS EAT IT,
GET THE TASTE OF BEEF, AND WE DON'T NEED THAT, SO...
WELL, WE'VE HAD TO KILL A COUPLE OF BROWN BEAR
THAT WE CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF KILLING A COW,
SO WE CALL THEM "BAD BEARS," OKAY?
THEY GOT THE TASTE OF BEEF.
USUALLY THEY EAT FISH, GRASS,
SOMETIMES MOOSE CALVES IN THE SPRING,
BUT IF A BEAR STUMBLES ON A DEAD CALF OR A DEAD COW,
THEY'LL EAT IT, THEN THEY GET THE TASTE OF BEEF,
THEY SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, TASTES LIKE,
THEN THEY SEE OTHER CATTLE OUT THERE,
AND THEY JUST START KILLING THEM,
SO GETTING RID OF COWS IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS,
YOU KNOW, CATCHING A BAD BEAR IN THE ACT OF KILLING A COW.
ADIOS, AMIGO.
HE'LL BE DOWN IN THE OCEAN AND FISH BAIT IN AN HOUR.
THE GOOD THING IS, IS THAT WE GOT IT DUMPED IN THE RIVER
BEFORE BROWN BEAR GOT TO SMACK THEIR LIPS ON IT,
SO THAT'S GOOD.
Narrator: BACK AT THE HOMESTEAD 20 MILES AWAY,
OTTO AND HIS NEIGHBOR DARREL
HAVE HAULED HIS BROKEN HAY MOWER INTO THE SHOP
TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX THE CUTTER BLADES.
UPON FURTHER INSPECTION,
OTTO REALIZES IT'S NOT JUST BENT CUTTER BLADES,
BUT A SERIES OF BAD BEARINGS HE MUST REPLACE.
HARD NUT TO CRACK.
WHAT I DID WAS I TOOK THIS MOWER APART
BECAUSE WE HAD A BAD BEARING RIGHT HERE.
EVERY TIME WE THINK WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS,
WE FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO FIX.
IS THAT THE NUT?
YOU WANT THAT HEAD ON THERE?
OH, YEAH. YEAH.
WELL, WE FOUND A LOOSE BOLT.
AND THEN WE FOUND
ANOTHER BAD BEARING ON THE OTHER END OF THE MOWER,
THEN I FOUND A CRACK,
SO WHAT STARTED OUT TO BE A COUPLE -- THREE-HOUR REPAIR
IS TURNING INTO ALMOST A COMPLETE OVERHAUL.
DAMN!
I WANT TO START PUTTING THIS [BLEEP] THING TOGETHER,
NOT KEEP TAKING IT APART, MY FRIEND.
YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO BREAK A FAN BELT ON THEIR CAR AND GO,
"IT'S TIME TO BUY A NEW ONE."
THEY DON'T EVEN THINK THAT THE THING CAN BE REPLACED,
LET ALONE THAT THEY COULD REPLACE IT.
WE'RE LOOKING AT OUR PARTS.
WE'RE GONNA START MAKING SURE ALL THE BOLTS ARE TIGHT,
AND THEN WE'RE GONNA START ASSEMBLING THE THING.
WILL IT HANG THERE?
OH, IT'S HANGING.
YOU KNOW, I THINK WE'RE GOOD HERE.
♪ BET YOUR LIFE, YOUR PRETTY LITTLE WIFE ♪
♪ GONNA CATCH MORE FISH THAN YOU ♪
THIS IS ONE OF THE CUTTER HEADS,
AND THEY SPIN AT A PHENOMENAL RATE.
YOU DON'T WANT TO EVEN THINK ABOUT
GETTING YOUR PET POODLE NEXT TO THIS THING.
IF WE DON'T DO IT RIGHT NOW, IT'LL COME BACK AND HAUNT US
BECAUSE IT'LL START LEAKING OIL OR SOME BOLTS WILL FALL OUT
AT A TIME WHEN WE'RE REALLY DEPENDING ON IT.
WE GOT TO GET THIS MOWER PUT TOGETHER
SO WE CAN GET ON WITH THE CUTTING OF THE GRASS.
IF WE DON'T GET GRASS CUT THIS WINTER, COWS WILL DIE.
IF THE COWS DIE, WE'LL DIE.
GOT TO GET 'ER DONE.
Narrator: JUST DOWN THE ROAD ON THE KILCHER HOMESTEAD,
EIVIN AND EVE ARE TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN DAILY CHORES.
[ CHICKEN CLUCKING ]
Eivin: AWW, CRAP.
THIS CHICKEN'S KILLING MORE CHICKENS.
[BLEEP]
I WALKED INTO THE CHICKEN COOP
JUST TO KIND OF SEE HOW THEY WERE DOING ON WATER,
AND THAT'S WHEN I SAW ONE OF THE LITTLE CHICKS.
I THINK WE GOT A DEAD CHICKEN.
Eve: OH, NO.
WHAT HAPPENED?
OH, MY GOD. THAT'S DISGUSTING.
THEY, LIKE, PECKED ITS BRAINS OUT.
OH, MY GOD.
WE THOUGHT WE HAD OBVIOUSLY ELIMINATED THE CANNIBAL HEN...
...BUT WE WERE WRONG.
WE KEEP FINDING MORE AND MORE --
MORE AND MORE DEAD CHICKENS.
OH, IT WAS GONNA BE SUCH A PRETTY LITTLE CHICKEN.
WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF EGGS OUT OF IT,
AND WE NEED THOSE EGGS.
WE NEED THOSE EGGS TO EAT.
WE NEED THOSE EGGS TO TRADE WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
AND, SO, WITHOUT THE EGGS, HAVING CHICKENS IS POINTLESS.
IT'S KIND OF BEEN AN ONGOING MYSTERY
TRYING TO IDENTIFY EXACTLY WHO THE CULPRIT IS,
AND IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT'S ESCALATING,
AND I'M LIKE, "WHERE IS IT -- WHERE IS IT GONNA END?
WHERE IS THE LINE GONNA GET DRAWN?"
Narrator: 20 MILES AWAY AT THE HEAD OF THE BAY,
EIVIN'S UNCLE CONTINUES HIS CARE OF OTTO'S CATTLE.
IT'S A TOTAL OF 32 COWS, STEERS, CALVES, AND BULLS
THAT ROAM THIS 25-SQUARE-MILE AREA.
THESE SUMMER GRASSLANDS ARE SURROUNDED BY WILDERNESS,
WHICH IN TURN IS POPULATED BY ALASKA'S LARGEST PREDATORS.
ATZ SR. WILL RIDE A 10-MILE CIRCUIT
BEFORE RETURNING TO THE CATTLEMAN'S CABIN FOR THE NIGHT.
Atz: THERE'S A COUPLE OF HEIFERS OUT HERE
THAT ARE REAL YOUNG AND THEY'RE GONNA CALVE,
SO WE'RE KIND OF KEEPING AN EYE ON THEM,
AND THEN MARK'S BULL COMES OVER ONCE IN AWHILE.
I'M GONNA MAKE SURE HE'S NOT HERE.
[ WHISTLING ]
YOU KNOW, THIS IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR,
FAVORITE TIME OF EVENING.
YOU CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S 10:00 RIGHT NOW.
YOU KNOW, THE SUN ISN'T GONNA SET FOR ANOTHER HOUR
AND GOT ANOTHER TWO WEEKS TILL THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR,
SO IT'S JUST A GREAT TIME OF DAY
TO BE OUT ON YOUR HORSE RANGE RIDING.
Narrator: THROUGH THE FREEZING RIVERS AND FADING LIGHT,
ATZ CONTINUES TO RIDE THE RANGE.
HE IS EVER VIGILANT FOR SIGNS OF PREDATORS.
Atz: COME CHECK OUT THESE WOLF TRACKS HERE.
THERE'S WOLVES THAT TRAVEL IN PACKS.
SOMETIMES THERE'S A LONE WOLF.
THEY'RE BIG.
THEY CAN WEIGH 100 POUNDS, UP TO 140 POUNDS.
BIG HEAD, BIG LEGS, BIG PAWS.
THERE'S DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WOLVES BRING DOWN CATTLE.
SOMETIMES THEY'LL GET THE TENDONS ON THE BACK LEGS.
SOMETIMES THEY'LL JUST SLASH THEIR BELLY
AND GET THEIR INTESTINES TO FALL OUT.
THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT A WILD WOLF THAT --
THAT'S SCARY.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEIR CLAWS,
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THEIR TEETH, THEIR JAWS --
THEY'RE KILLING MACHINES.
STILL, BUDDY.
WHOA.
Narrator: COMING UP...
OTTO FACES A NEW DEADLINE.
Otto: IF I DON'T GET ENOUGH HAY,
I'LL BE FACING THE DECISION TO BUTCHER SOME COWS.
Narrator: ATZ SR. FACES OFF WITH A MAJOR THREAT.
Narrator: IN THE SPECTACULAR ALASKAN WILDERNESS,
ATZ SR. KEEPS A WATCHFUL EYE OVER THE KILCHER CATTLE
AS THEY GRAZE IN THE RICH TIDAL PASTURES.
Atz: A FEW YEARS AGO, I TOLD MY SON ATZ AND NIKOS,
"BEST FATHER'S DAY I COULD HAVE
IS YOU BOYS COME UP THE HEAD OF THE BAY."
WELL, TODAY I HEARD MY BOY IS COMING TO SEE ME.
SO I'M PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
NIKOS IS ON HIS WAY,
AND I'M GETTING SADDLED UP.
GO CHECK ON THE BROWN BEAR.
I GOT TO GO CHECK HER AGAIN TODAY
AND SEE IF SHE'S BOTHERING THE COWS
OR IF SHE'S STILL LEAVING THEM ALONE.
NOW, IF THE CATTLE AND THE BEARS
BOTH CAN EAT THE SAME GRASS SIDE BY SIDE,
WELL, THAT'S GOOD.
COEXISTING PEACEFULLY.
[ MAN YODELING ]
[ YODELING ]
HEY, THERE, MY BOY!
IT IS I!
ALL RIGHT.
GOOD. HOW ARE YOU, DAD?
Atz: YOU KNOW, NIKOS IS A FIREFIGHTER.
HE SPENDS A LOT OF TIME OUT THERE PROTECTING THE WILDERNESS.
HE LOVES TO COME UP TO THE HEAD OF THE BAY,
AND I LOVE IT WHEN WE CAN BE UP THERE AT THE SAME TIME.
WHAT YOU BRING ME? SOME GROCERIES?
YEAH, MAYBE A LITTLE FRUIT.
OKAY.
WELL, I WAS JUST GONNA SADDLE UP STUDY
AND GO CHECK ON A BROWN BEAR.
ALL RIGHT.
Nikos: I DON'T COME UP HERE TOO OFTEN,
BUT I CAME UP HERE TODAY
TO HELP HIM RIDE THE RANGE A LITTLE BIT
AND JUST LEND A HAND WHERE I CAN.
I'D LOVE IT IF YOU COME ALONG.
I'D LOVE TO HELP.
I'M GONNA TAKE HIM OVER THERE
TO SEE IF WE CAN SEE THE SOW AGAIN
AND JUST SPEND SOME FATHER/SON TIME UP HERE,
DOING WHAT I DO.
CATTLE ARE STAYING AWAY FROM THE ISLAND
'CAUSE THEY'RE SCARED OF HER.
THINK THEY CAN SMELL THEM OR SOMETHING?
OH, YEAH.
YEAH, THEY CAN SMELL THE BEAR WHEN THE WIND'S RIGHT,
AND, SO, WE'RE GONNA GO OVER THERE NOW
AND SEE HOW HER AND THE COWS ARE GETTING ALONG,
BECAUSE IT COULD TURN INTO A PROBLEM
IF THE COWS GO BACK OVER THERE AND SHE WERE TO KILL A COW.
BUT SO FAR, THEY'VE BEEN OKAY TOGETHER.
[ CHUCKLES ]
JUST WHEN THEY GET TOGETHER
THAT THE PROBLEMS START.
YEAH.
IF SHE WERE TO KILL A COW,
THEN IT'D BE A TOUGH -- TOUGH CHOICE.
Atz: WHEN I'M UP HERE TAKING CARE OF THE CATTLE
AND I SEE A BROWN BEAR OR A WOLF ATTACKING THE HERD,
THEN THAT'S -- THAT'S WHERE I DRAW THE LINE.
ONE BEAR WOULD JUST ON KILLING A COW, EATING A STEAK,
KILLING ANOTHER COW, EATING A ROAST,
KILLING ANOTHER COW, EATING A FEW RIBS.
THAT'S A PROBLEM BEAR.
SO, I'VE HAD TO KILL A COUPLE BROWN BEAR
THAT WERE KILLING THE COWS.
SO, THAT'S -- THAT'S JUST A TOUGH CALL
THAT I SOMETIMES HAVE TO MAKE.
Narrator: ATZ SR. AND NIKOS CIRCLE THE ISLAND,
BUT THERE IS NO WAY OF TELLING
WHETHER THE BROWN BEAR AND HER CUBS
HAVE LEFT THE AREA
OR ARE HIDING FROM THEM IN THE DENSE FOREST.
20 MILES DOWN KACHEMAK BAY, AT THE KILCHER HOMESTEAD,
OTTO'S PLANS TO CUT THE WINTER HAY
WERE DERAILED FOR A DAY AND A HALF
AS HE STRUGGLED TO REPAIR HIS 25-YEAR-OLD EQUIPMENT.
BUT HE HAS FINALLY REASSEMBLED HIS HAY MOWER.
Otto: MAN, OH, MAN, OH, MAN.
ALL THESE CUTTER HEADS,
THEY ALL SPIN AT SEVERAL THOUSAND RPM.
IT SOUNDS A BIT LIKE A JET PLANE TAKING OFF
WHEN IT'S ACTUALLY RUNNING.
IT'S A PRETTY VICIOUS MACHINE.
AND IF YOU GOT YOUR PET RABBIT OUT THERE IN A FIELD,
YOU MIGHT HEAR A SQUEAK.
THERE WON'T BE MUCH LEFT OF THAT RABBIT, NEITHER.
Narrator: NOW WITH RAIN FALLING, OTTO HAS DECIDED
TO CONTINUE CUTTING THE REMAINING 75 ACRES OF WINTER HAY
BEFORE THE WEATHER TURNS EVEN WORSE.
THIS HAY WILL BE THE ALL-IMPORTANT FOOD SUPPLY
FOR HIS CATTLE DURING THE UPCOMING WINTER MONTHS,
AND OTTO MUST MAINTAIN HIS HERD
TO CONTINUE HIS FAMILY'S MEAT SUPPLY.
Otto: THE MOWER IS CUTTING SWEET.
OH, MY GOD.
IT'S LEAVING A REAL CLEAN CUT.
YEAH, IT'S CUTTING BETTER THAN IT HAS IN A LOT OF YEARS.
JUST KIND OF BARELY DRIZZLING NOW.
I EXPECT IT'S SUPPOSED TO CLEAR OFF BY TOMORROW HOPEFULLY,
AND, EVEN IN THE BAD WEATHER, I MAY CUT ALL NIGHT,
SO BY MORNING TIME, I'VE GOT A JUMP ON IT.
THE HAY IS ALL DOWN AND WHEN THE SUN COMES OUT,
I CAN SHAKE IT UP.
BUT EVERYTHING'S WORKING GOOD, SO I'M IN A GOOD MOOD TODAY.
Narrator: WITH A BRIEF PAUSE IN THE FALLING RAIN,
EIVIN AND EVE DECIDE IT'S TIME TO
TAKE MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS.
Eve: ALL RIGHT.
Eivin: THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ROGUE CANNIBAL HEN
HAS BEEN GOING ON NOW FOR A COUPLE MONTHS,
WHERE IT'S BEEN EATING ITS OWN EGGS
AND KILLING THE YOUNGER CHICKS AND STUFF, SO...
Eivin: IT'S THE BLACK ONE.
I MEAN, THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE IDENTIFIED, RIGHT?
YEAH, THE BLACK ONE WITH THE ONE EYE.
WE FINALLY IDENTIFIED IT.
IT'S ONE OF THE OLDER CHICKENS,
AND IT'S JUST NOT DOING US ANY GOOD ANYMORE.
I THINK EVER SINCE THE ROOSTER
PECKED HER EYE OUT YEARS AGO...
YEAH.
...SHE'S KIND OF HAD A SCREW LOOSE.
I THINK SO, TOO.
I'M JUST AFRAID ONE OF THESE DAYS
I'M GONNA WAKE UP AND ALL MY CHICKENS WILL BE DEAD,
AND THAT ONE WILL JUST BE
STANDING ON TOP OF A PILE CHICKEN CARCASSES,
LIKE IT'S THE VICTOR OF THE GREAT BATTLE.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO GET HER.
GONNA BE A CHICKEN RASSLE.
OOH.
OOH.
[ CHICKENS CLUCKING ]
YEAH.
[ DUCK QUACKS ]
OH.
I GOT ON HER BLIND SIDE.
THIS ONE DEFINITELY IS THE ONE THAT KILLED THE LITTLE CHICK.
IT'S NOT LAYING HEALTHY EGGS ANYMORE,
AND IT'S JUST TIME --
TIME TO REMOVE THAT CHICKEN FROM THE FLOCK.
[ CHICKEN CLUCKING ]
ALL RIGHT, CHICKEN.
SORRY, MISS HENNY.
YOU GOT TO GO.
Eve: I ALWAYS FEEL A LITTLE REMORSE ABOUT IT
AND A LITTLE HESITANCY,
BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT IT'S WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE,
AND WE'RE GONNA EAT IT, SO...
[ CHICKEN SQUAWKS ]
[ WHACK ]
OH.
IT'S SERVING A GREAT PURPOSE
AND JUST PART OF WHAT WE DO ON THE FARM, YOU KNOW?
Narrator: ATZ AND HIS SON NIKOS
HAVE MADE A COMPLETE CIRCLE AROUND THE ISLAND
WITHOUT SEEING ANY SIGN OF THE BEAR OR HER CUBS.
BUT THE CATTLE ARE NOTICEABLY AGITATED
AND HAVE STARTED TO MOVE EVEN FURTHER AWAY FROM THE AREA.
[ COWS MOOING ]
I CAN'T FIGURE OUT
WHY THE CATTLE ARE ALL BUNCHED UP OVER THERE.
AND THE BROWNIE'S OVER THERE.
IT DOESN'T REALLY MAKE SENSE, HUH?
LET ME CHECK IT OUT HERE REAL QUICK.
'CAUSE SOMETHING JUST DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT.
THOSE CATTLE ARE IN AN AWFULLY TIGHT GROUP.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING ON?
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE SCARED OF THE BEAR OR WHAT.
WHOA.
[ COWS MOOING ]
DAMN. THAT'S A WOLF, SON.
BIG WOLF.
HOLD MY HORSE.
HE'S TRAVELING THAT WAY.
JUST STAY BACK WITH THE HORSES SO THEY DON'T GET SPOOKED.
[ GUNSHOT ]
Narrator: AT THE HEAD OF KACHEMAK BAY,
20 MILES FROM THE HOMESTEAD,
THERE ARE 16,000 ACRES OF NATURAL SUMMER PASTURES.
NEARBY LIVE ALASKA'S LARGEST PREDATORS.
ATZ SR. AND HIS SON NIKOS HAVE BEEN SCOURING THE ISLAND
WITHOUT FINDING ANY SIGNS OF THE MOTHER BROWN BEAR.
WHAT THEY HAVE NOTICED IS THE HERD OF CATTLE
HAVE BECOME MORE AND MORE AGITATED.
SOMETHING JUST DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT.
DAMN. THAT'S A WOLF, SON.
BIG WOLF.
HOLD MY HORSE.
[ GUNSHOT ]
OKAY. I GOT HIM.
HE'S DOWN.
LET'S GO CHECK IT OUT.
Atz: AS SOON AS I PULL THE TRIGGER,
THE WOLF GOES DOWN, CATTLE TAKE OFF RUNNING.
Nikos: LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY BIG ONE, MAN.
ALL RIGHT.
ANOTHER KILLER DOWN.
I END UP HITTING HIM IN THE MAIN PART OF HIS BODY,
AND, SO, AS SOON AS I SHOT HIM, HE WENT DOWN AND STAYED DOWN.
I CAN'T SAY I FELT JOY AND EXHILARATION.
"YEAH, I KILLED THAT WOLF."
NO. THERE'S ALWAYS A SADNESS AND A RESPECT.
OKAY.
LET ME PUT MY RIFLE AWAY.
AT THE SAME TIME,
YOU'RE CELEBRATING THAT YOU SAVED LIFE OVER HERE,
AND YOU GET UP AND GO ON.
JUST CIRCLE IT AROUND.
OKAY.
JUST CIRCLE IN CLOSER AND CLOSER.
OKAY.
Narrator: THE HORSES CAN SMELL THE DEAD WOLF
AND ARE EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE
BEING SO CLOSE TO THE PREDATOR'S CARCASS.
THEY CAN TELL THIS IS A KILLER.
ATZ SR. AND NIKOS MUST SLOWLY CIRCLE THE HUGE WOLF
UNTIL THE HORSES ARE ABLE TO CALM DOWN.
ALL RIGHT. EASY.
Atz: IT'S ILLEGAL TO KILL A WOLF OUT OF SEASON
UNLESS IT'S DEFENDING YOUR LIFE AND PROPERTY.
SO, IN THIS CASE, I WAS DEFENDING NOT MY LIFE,
BUT I WAS DEFENDING PROPERTY -- THE COWS.
Narrator: FAR FROM THE IMMEDIATE DANGER OF THE GRAY WOLF,
ATZ SR.'s BROTHER, OTTO,
IS CARING FOR THE CATTLE IN QUITE A DIFFERENT MATTER.
AFTER SPENDING MOST OF THE NIGHT IN THE RAIN,
CUTTING AS MUCH HAY AS HE COULD,
OTTO IS BACK IN THE FIELDS AGAIN,
TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE SUNNY WEATHER.
Otto: CUT IT IN THE RAIN HOPING THAT IT WOULD DRY,
AND SO FAR THE GAMBLE PAID OFF,
BUT, REALLY, IF I DON'T GET ENOUGH HAY,
I'LL BE FACED WITH THE DECISION TO BUTCHER SOME COWS,
AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.
Narrator: WHILE CUTTING THE 30-ACRE BIG MEADOW,
OTTO HAS ENLISTED THE HELP OF HIS SON, AUGUST.
Otto: I'M GONNA FINISH MOWING THE BIG MEADOW,
AND AUGUST IS GONNA COME BEHIND ME
AND START SHAKING IT UP.
THIS IS CALLED TEDDING -- DRYING THE HAY.
BASICALLY FLUFFING.
I'VE SEEN THIS STUFF OVER-FLUFFED.
YOU CAN OVER-FLUFF IT, AND THEN THE VICTIM DIES.
ALL THE SEEDS FALL OFF IT AND IT BECOMES USELESS.
NOBODY WANTS IT.
RIGHT NOW, THE OUTSIDE OF THE HAY
LOOKS REALLY DRY AND IT'S FLUFFY,
BUT THE INSIDE COULD STILL BE TOUGH.
YOU KNOW, THAT WAS DARN GOOD!
IT WAS SWEET.
YEAH.
IF I WAS A COW, I'D EAT THAT [BLEEP] IN THE WINTER, MAN.
HERE'S A LITTLE OLD-FASHIONED SIDE-DELIVERY RAKE.
THIS IS GONNA RAKE THE HAY INTO ROWS SO WE CAN BALE IT.
WHEELS KIND OF DRAG ALONG THE GROUND,
AND THEN THEY ROLL AND THEY MAKE ONE ROW OUT OF THE HAY
SO I CAN COME ALONG WITH A HAY BALER AND PICK IT UP.
IF WE KNEW THE WEATHER WAS GONNA BE NICE FOR A LONG TIME,
WE WOULD HAVE LESS OF A DESPERATE APPROACH TO IT,
BUT IN THIS NORTH LAND,
YOU HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY LITTLE BIT.
THE NEXT RACE AGAINST TIME HERE
IS PUTTING IT IN ROWS AND BALING IT,
AND THEN THE NEXT RACE OF TIME IS GONNA BE
PICKING IT ALL UP BEFORE THE BALES GET RAINED ON.
OKAY. I AM READY.
Narrator: WITH THE THREAT OF THE RAINSTORM INCREASING,
OTTO RECRUITS HIS NEIGHBORS AND EXTENDED FAMILY,
INCLUDING TWO OF HIS SIX SISTERS.
GOT TO GET THE HAY IN BEFORE IT RAINS.
FOR THE PICKING-UP PART,
A COUPLE SISTERS COME HELP ME THROW SOME HAY.
THEY USUALLY SHOW UP ABOUT HAYING SEASON,
AND, HELL, ONE OF THEM BROUGHT ME A SANDWICH
AND THE OTHER ONE BROUGHT ME A HUG,
SO, THERE WE GO.
Stellavera: I AM OTTO'S YOUNGER SISTER,
AND WE'VE BEEN PALS OUR WHOLE LIFE.
WHEN IT'S HAY SEASON, YOU HELP HAY.
YOU KNOW, "MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES"
IS A REAL EXPRESSION.
Sunrise: I COME OUT HERE AND HELP HIM HAY EVERY YEAR.
I ALWAYS LOVED THE PHYSICALNESS OF IT, TOO.
DOING IT TOGETHER -- I LIKE THAT PART.
SOMETIMES MY FATHER AND I,
WE WOULD WALK AROUND KICKING THE COW PATTIES
TO FERTILIZE, YOU KNOW, TO SCATTER THEM OUT.
HE WOULD SAY, "GOT TO GO DO SOME [BLEEP] KICKING,"
YOU KNOW?
GOT IT.
Narrator: THERE ARE OVER 400 40-POUND BALES TO BE STORED
BEFORE THE HAY IS SPOILED BY THE COMING RAIN.
Otto: THIS HAY THAT WE GOT IS -- IT'S LOOKING GOOD AT THE MOMENT,
BUT IF YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN MAKE THEM THROUGH THE WINTER,
WINTER IS A LITTLE EXTRA LONG OR HARD,
THEN YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HAY,
AND THEN YOU GOT TO TRY TO BUY HAY WITH NONEXISTENT MONEY.
OR YOU GOT TO TRY TO STARVE THEM THROUGH
AND FEED THEM LESS.
I'VE NEVER LOST A COW YET TO STARVATION,
BUT I GOT TO SAY I'VE HAD A COUPLE
COME THROUGH THE WINTER PRETTY -- PRETTY BONY.
GOT IT!
WHOA [BLEEP]
[ GRUNTS ]
IT'S 9:00 AT NIGHT.
I STILL GOT ABOUT 100 BALES TO BALE.
RAIN'S COMING.
AND I'M CLOSE TO MY MARK.
I LIKE TO HAVE 80 TONS OF HAY FOR A NORMAL WINTER,
BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE TURN THIS HAY INTO STEAKS,
AND IF WE DON'T GET ENOUGH HAY, WE DON'T GET ENOUGH STEAKS.
Narrator: AFTER SHOOTING A GRAY WOLF
THAT WAS ATTACKING THE CATTLE,
ATZ SR. AND HIS SON NIKOS ARE TRYING TO COMFORT THEIR HORSES
BY CIRCLING THE PREDATOR'S CARCASS.
ISN'T THAT SOMETHING?
THEY CAN TELL THIS IS A KILLER.
Atz: WELL, THE WOLF HAS A VERY STRONG SMELL,
AND THE HORSES ARE GETTING MORE JUMPY.
WHOA. WHOA.
THE HORSES ARE SCARED OF THE WOLF,
THEY'RE SCARED OF THE SCENT,
SO I BASICALLY TOOK SOME OF THE WOLF BLOOD,
THE WOLF SMELL IN MY HAND,
AND I RUBBED IT ALL OVER THE HORSE'S MUZZLE,
INSIDE HIS NOSTRILS,
SO HE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE IMMUNE TO THE SMELL.
[ HORSE GRUNTS ]
LET GO.
HAD WE SKINNED IT OUT IN THE FIELD,
WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN HARDER
'CAUSE IT ISN'T HANGING, IT'S LAYING ON THE GROUND
AND THERE'S SUN, AND THERE'S MOSQUITOES,
AND IT JUST WAS TOO CRAZY.
I CHOSE, INSTEAD, TO PUT IT ON THE HORSE
AND TAKE IT A COUPLE MILES BACK TO THE CABIN.
GO AHEAD AND TAKE YOUR COAT OFF.
I USE THE OLDER, MORE TRAINED, WISER HORSE,
BUT EVEN HE WON'T ALLOW ME TO PUT A DEAD WOLF ON HIM.
SO HE CAN'T SEE AND HE'S NOT GONNA MOVE,
I BLINDFOLD HIM WITH MY COAT --
WRAP MY COAT AROUND HIS HEAD.
Nikos: I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED
IF WE WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN THERE.
THERE'S REALLY NO TELLING,
BUT DEFINITELY WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A HARD TIME
TAKING DOWN ONE OF THOSE CALVES.
PRETTY INSANE.
BIG ANIMAL -- REALLY BIG.
PROBABLY 90, 100 POUNDS.
WHOA.
Atz: NOW, IF YOU'RE A PREY ANIMAL LIKE A HORSE
AND YOUR INSTINCTUALLY SCARED TO DEATH OF WOLVES,
HOW WOULD YOU FEEL
IF YOU SUDDENLY HAD A WOLF ON YOUR BACK
AND WHILE THE OLD HEAD IS OVER HERE WHOPPING ON HIS SIDE?
YOU KNOW, IT TOOK A GOOD HORSE.
OKAY.
I'M GONNA TAKE HIM WITH A BLINDFOLD ON
FOR JUST A BIT, SEE HOW HE'S DOING.
STAY NEXT TO ME SO THEY KIND OF CAN BUDDY-UP TOGETHER.
WHY DON'T YOU GET ON THE OTHER SIDE
SO THE RIFLE'S ON THE OTHER SIDE?
HEY. HEY.
SETTLE DOWN. SETTLE DOWN.
YOU'RE OKAY. YOU'RE OKAY.
EASY.
EASY.
SETTLE DOWN. SETTLE DOWN.
I HAVE THE WOLF TIED IN PLACE.
HE'S GONNA BOUNCE AND JIGGLE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.
I LEAD THE HORSE,
BUT STILL, THIS HORSE ISN'T JUST WALKING LIKE THIS.
HE'S WALKING LIKE THIS.
LIKE, "OH, MY GOD. WHAT'S ON ME?"
[ HORSE NEIGHS ]
HEY. EASY. WHOA. WHOA.
EASY.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!
WHOA!
Atz Lee: BEEN HEARING NOISES IN MY CUPBOARDS.
TURNS OUT IT'S A SQUIRREL.
CHEWED A HOLE THROUGH THE WALL
AND THEY'VE BEEN GOING IN THERE,
EATING MY RICE, PANCAKES, ALL MY DRIED GOODS.
AND THEN THE FATAL MISTAKE -- GOT INTO MY BUTTER.
YOU'RE GOING AFTER A PREDATOR.
IT'S PREDATOR AGAINST PREDATOR AT THAT POINT,
AND IT'S WHOEVER'S THE WISER OR THE FASTEST
IS GONNA BE THE ONE WHO WINS.
[ CHATTERING ]
I HEARD HIM CHATTERING IN THE CABINET THERE.
HE KIND OF GAVE UP WHERE HE WAS AT.
I HEAR YOU.
BLEW HIS COVER.
[ GUNSHOT ]
YEAH.
YEAH.
THAT IS ONE LESS SQUIRREL I GOT TO DEAL WITH.
Narrator: 20 MILES FROM THE KILCHER HOMESTEAD,
THERE ARE RICH SUMMER GRASSLANDS
SURROUNDED BY ENDLESS WILDERNESS.
ATZ SR. AND HIS SON NIKOS HAVE SHOT AND KILLED A GRAY WOLF
THAT WAS ATTACKING OTTO'S HERD OF CATTLE.
COME DOWN, LITTLE MORE BUTT END OVER HERE.
OKAY.
I'M GONNA TAKE HIM WITH A BLINDFOLD ON
FOR JUST A BIT, SEE HOW HE'S DOING.
Narrator: THEY WILL HAVE TO GET THEIR HORSES COMFORTABLE
WITH TRANSPORTING THE 100-POUND PREDATOR'S CARCASS BACK TO CAMP,
WHERE THEY PLAN TO SKIN THE GRAY WOLF.
SETTLE DOWN. SETTLE DOWN.
YOU'RE OKAY. YOU'RE OKAY.
[ HORSE GRUNTING ]
EASY.
HEY. HEY.
EASY.
WHOA. WHOA.
EASY.
WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!
WHOA!
COME IN, PLEASE, NIKOS.
COME BUDDY UP HERE.
Atz: THIS HORSE IS SCARED.
NIKOS IS ON BLACK STAR, CALM.
OKAY. WHOA. WHOA.
THAT WAS NIKOS' JOB.
I SAID, "NIKOS, YOU'RE MY PILOT. YOU'RE MY GUIDE.
"YOU ARE THE CALM HORSE.
"YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT TO BE A STEP AHEAD,
LEADING THE WAY."
Narrator: ATZ SR. AND NIKOS HAVE A TWO-MILE HIKE AHEAD OF THEM,
INCLUDING CROSSING
A QUARTER-MILE OF FAST-MOVING RIVER.
Atz: WE BUDDIED UP TILL WE CAME TO THE SHEEP RIVER.
OKAY. HEAD OFF. HEAD OFF.
I COULD HAVE JUMPED ON BEHIND NIKOS,
THEN I'M LEADING THIS HORSE, AND HE FEELS ABANDONED,
SO INSTEAD, I JUST JUMP ON
BEHIND THE SADDLE, BEHIND THE WOLF,
GUIDING MY HORSE NEXT TO THE PILOT HORSE.
OKAY. GOOD JOB.
HERE WE GO.
Narrator: AFTER A TWO-MILE HIKE AND CROSSING THE SHEEP RIVER,
ATZ AND NIKOS RETURN TO THE CABIN TO SKIN THE GRAY WOLF.
COMING OFF THIS SIDE.
THAT WAY?
YOU WANT ME TO GET OVER THERE?
NAH. SLIP HIM ON DOWN.
I'M GONNA THROW HIM.
OKAY.
HOLY [BLEEP]
BIG AS A DAMN SMALL HORSE.
Atz: THESE WOLVES ARE BONE-CRUNCHING MACHINES.
THEY CAN TAKE MOOSE BONES
AND JUST CRACK THEM AND GET THE MARROW OUT OF THEM.
YOU FIND A MOOSE KILL THAT WOLVES HAVE KILLED,
MAN, THERE AIN'T NO BONES LEFT.
THEY CRACK THEM.
SO A LOT OF FORCE IN THOSE JAWS.
WOULD YOU CHECK THE PORCH FOR NAILS AND A HAMMER, PLEASE?
READY, GO.
OKAY. STOP THERE.
Nikos: UNFORTUNATELY, THE SHOT WAS A GUT SHOT,
SO THE ORGANS WERE HIT,
AND IT WAS STARTING TO STINK PRETTY BAD.
USUALLY YOU'D SKIN SOMETHING BEFORE YOU WOULD GUT IT.
IT'S EASIER TO SKIN WITH THE CAVITY FULL,
BUT IT WAS KIND OF SMELLING SO BAD
THAT WE HAD TO GET THE GUTS OUT OF THERE.
Atz: I WAS TICKLED THAT MY SON NIKOS COULD BE OUT THERE,
NOT ONLY TO SEE WHAT I DO,
BUT TO LEARN AN IMPORTANT PART OF BEING IN THE WILDERNESS.
I NEVER TAKE IT LIGHTLY WHEN I HAVE TO TAKE A LIFE.
I THINK OF A TIME WHEN I WAS A YOUNG ADULT.
MY KIDS WERE VERY SMALL.
I WAS OUT IN THE FIELD
IN FRONT OF THE HOMESTEAD CABIN WITH MY DAD.
IT WAS BLACK BEAR SEASON. WE NEEDED THE MEAT.
MY DAD SAYS, "SHOOT IT."
I SHOOT THE BEAR, WE GO OVER THERE,
AND MY LITTLE KIDS ARE JUMPING UP AND DOWN.
THEY'RE LAUGHING. THEY'RE EXCITED.
MAYBE THEY'RE NERVOUS, MAYBE THEY'RE SCARED,
BUT THEY'RE LAUGHING.
MY DAD TURNED ON MY LITTLE KIDS.
"DON'T YOU LAUGH! THIS IS NOT SOMETHING TO LAUGH ABOUT!
THERE'S A DEAD BEAR HERE!"
SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME.
SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF MY LITTLE KIDS.
BUT WHAT I'VE REMEMBERED EVER SINCE THEN
IS IT'S NOT A LAUGHING, JOKING MATTER.
YOU GOT TO TAKE IT SERIOUS.
YOU GOT TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING
AND WHY YOU'RE DOING IT.
I'M FULLY AWARE THAT ME BEING A RANGE RIDER,
ME HAVING TO KILL THIS WOLF,
IS GONNA STIR UP SOME EMOTIONS IN A LOT OF PEOPLE.
BUT ONE THING I CAN TELL YOU WITH 100% CERTAINTY
IS WE ALL HAVE A LINE.
NO MATTER WHAT EXTREME YOU'RE ON,
IF THAT WOLF IS DRAGGING OFF YOUR BABY,
HE'S JUMPING FOR YOUR JUGULAR,
YOU'RE GONNA KILL THE WOLF.
THAT'S WHERE YOU DRAW THE LINE.
I DRAW MY LINE WHEN THAT WOLF IS KILLING A COW.
HAD I LEFT THE WOLF CARCASS LAYING AROUND,
ANOTHER PREDATOR WOULD HAVE COME AND EATEN THAT CARCASS,
BUT INSTEAD I DUMPED IT IN THE RIVER.
PHEW.
IT'S JUST IMPERATIVE WHEN YOU'RE OUT IN THE WILDERNESS
TO STAY CLEAN, TO LEAVE AS FEW SMELLS, ODORS,
ANYTHING THAT WILL ATTRACT THE WILD ANIMALS IN
TO WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T BE.
Nikos: I'M GOING BACK TONIGHT,
SO I'M GONNA TAKE THE SKIN OF THE WOLF.
MAKE SURE IT'S IN THE CANVAS POCKET.
OKAY. ARE WE READY TO RIDE?
WHEN YOU'RE READY.
Atz: EVERYBODY CAN RELATE TO A REAL SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT,
A REAL SENSE OF FULFILLMENT.
WELL, SON, COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A BETTER DAY,
AND, MAN, DID I USE YOUR HELP.
WELL, I WAS GLAD TO BE HERE, MAN.
JUST LOADING THE DAMN THING ON THE HORSE,
I COULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT BY MYSELF.
I WOULD HAVE HAD TO DRAG IT BEHIND THE HORSE,
AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A RODEO.
Atz: FOR ME, BEING UP THERE RANGE RIDING,
DISPOSING OF THE CALF THAT'S DEAD
SO THAT BROWN BEARS DON'T GET THE TASTE OF BEEF,
WHICH MIGHT HAVE SAVED COUNTLESS CATTLE,
WATCHING THE BROWN BEAR SOW WITH HER CUBS, COEXISTING,
HAVING TO KILL A WOLF --
IT GIVES ME A GREAT SENSE OF
SATISFACTION, ACCOMPLISHMENT, AND FULFILLMENT.
AND BEING OUT THERE IN NATURE, SEEING ALL THE BEAUTY,
TO ME, IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT.
Narrator: NEXT TIME ON "ALASKA: THE LAST FRONTIER"...
PREDATORS AT THE HEAD OF THE BAY HAVE FORCED THE KILCHERS
TO UNDERTAKE THEIR MOST AMBITIOUS PROJECT YET,
BUT GETTING THERE AND BACK IS HALF THE BATTLE.
Eivin: WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF THIS SITUATION
OR WE LOSE EVERYTHING.
Atz: I NEED A DEPTH OVER HERE!
AND I NEED A DEPTH OVER HERE!