About this season
Centers on the Kilcher family and their community outside Homer, Alaska. Begun by patriarch Yule Kilcher who immigrated from Europe during WWII, and currently led by his sons, Otto and Atz Kilcher (singer Jewel's father) the family have lived on their land for four generations. The show also features the homesteaders who live nearby and interact with the Kilchers.
Episodes (13)
1. Before the Freeze
Aired 29 December 2011 • 43 min
Meet the Kilcher family, who live on a 600-acre homestead in Alaska. With another brutal winter approaching, and bears having killed two of the family's cattle, they are forced to pin all of their hopes of surviving the winter on one last hunting trip.
2. Fueling the Fire
Aired 5 January 2012 • 43 min
The first storm of winter approaches as the family races to finish preparing for the next eight months; Atz herds cattle across flooded glacial rivers.
3. Snow, Cold and Darkness
Aired 12 January 2012 • 43 min
The storms hit earlier than expected; search for a newborn calf and its mother; Otto builds shelter for his herd.
4. Dead Of Winter
Aired 3 October 2012 • 43 min
Desperate for food, the Kilchers struggle to get through a harsh winter.
5. Spring Has Sprung
Aired 10 October 2012 • 43 min
Spring arrives and the family deals with a rogue hen and hunts for food.
6. Cattle Drive
Aired 17 October 2012 • 43 min
The family battles danger to drive their cattle to the summer pasture.
7. Range Riding
Aired 24 October 2012 • 43 min
Atz begins range riding to protect Otto's cattle herd from predators.
8. The River Wild
Aired 31 October 2012 • 43 min
The Kilchers call in favors to help build a fence before the high tide.
9. Something's Fishy
Aired 7 November 2012 • 43 min
The Kilchers fish for the hundreds of pounds of fish needed over winter.
10. Legend of "Terrible Island"
Aired 14 November 2012 • 43 min
Atz Lee and Eiven travel to "Terrible Island" to hunt deer.
11. Fall Feast
Aired 21 November 2012 • 43 min
Fall arrives and the Kilchers scramble to finish their winter preparations.
12. Life According To Otto
Aired 28 November 2012 • 43 min
Otto's sense of humor and ingenuity inspire his family and neighbors.
13. Homestead Innovations
Aired 5 December 2012 • 43 min
The Kilchers must not only reuse and recycle, but also reinvent.