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 (17)
1. Big Changes
Aired 4 October 2015 • 44 min
In the Season 5 premiere, the Kilchers confront the realities of the changing Alaskan climate; and Atz Lee enlists Atz Sr., Otto, Eivin, Bonnie and Jane to help with his dream to build an all-new and remote homestead.
2. Blood, Sweat & Beers
Aired 11 October 2015 • 45 min
The cycle of life on the homestead is continuous. Otto & Charlotte attempt to resuscitate a stillborn calf while Eve learns that taking life during a hunt isn't easy. The Kilchers say goodbye to Bruce Willard as Eivin & Eve welcome new life with Findlay.
3. Fear and Floating
Aired 18 October 2015 • 43 min
Spring arrives on the homestead. Included: Atz and Atz Lee attempt to tame wild stallions at the head of the bay; at the same time, Otto, Eivin, Charlotte and Jane must innovate to protect their calves and overcome threats to their herd.
4. Calling All Bears
Aired 25 October 2015 • 45 min
Atz Sr. goes bowhunting to restock dwindling food supplies, while Otto, Charlotte and August scramble to protect livestock at the head of the bay. In the meantime, Atz Lee develops a new foothold in the wilderness.
5. Mobility, Mo' Problems
Aired 1 November 2015 • 45 min
The Kilcher family brace for summer on the homestead; Atz Lee treks to forbidding Perl Island for an emergency crash course in wilderness survival; and Jane fights with creatures from the deep for food.
6. One Small Flush for Man
Aired 8 November 2015 • 44 min
As spring draws to a close, Otto and August dig into a monumental plumbing project. Included: Eivin attempts to help, but loses control of his truck; Atz Sr. searches for two predators threatening the Kilcher property; Atz Lee and Jane give Shane a hand with his cabin.
7. Homestead Hardships
Aired 15 November 2015 • 44 min
The challenges of living on the remote and rugged Kilcher homestead are sometimes unforgiving. Life in this raw, untamed wilderness means keeping family close and firearms closer.
8. Olden Days, Olden Ways
Aired 22 November 2015 • 45 min
The Kilchers pay tribute to the family's dearly departed patriarch and matriarch, Yule and Ruth, by preparing a feast using strictly old-fashioned methods.
9. No Rain, Big Pain
Aired 29 November 2015 • 45 min
A hot summer threatens the Kilcher cattle; Atz Lee joins forces with a remote homesteading master to learn how to tame the frontier; Jane comes face-to-face with a bear; Shane and Kelli make progress on their cabin; and Findlay gets a safe place to play.
10. The Fall
Aired 6 December 2015 • 44 min
After a feverish summer of work, the Kilchers prepare for winter. Included: Eivin scales treacherous peaks to fill his freezer; Otto helps with Shane's cabin build, while it takes a perilous turn; and for Atz Lee, one fateful step leads to catastrophe.
11. Hard Road Home
Aired 13 December 2015 • 45 min
Otto and Charlotte set out on an urgent rescue mission; Atz Sr., Eivin, Shane and Nikos come together to help Atz Lee.
12. A Very Kilcher Christmas
Aired 20 December 2015 • 44 min
The Kilchers create homemade gifts for their loved ones; Otto has an explosive gift for Charlotte; Jane builds a musical present for Atz Lee; Eivin constructs a dual-use vehicle.
13. Cycle of Life
Aired 27 December 2015 • 44 min
The cycle of life on the homestead is continuous. Otto & Charlotte attempt to resuscitate a stillborn calf while Eve learns that taking life during a hunt isn't easy. The Kilchers say goodbye to Bruce Willard as Eivin & Eve welcome new life with Findlay.
14. Recovery Road
Aired 3 January 2016 • 45 min
As fall comes to a close, Atz Lee confronts the reality of recovering from his accident. To feed their families, Eivin and Jane venture miles at sea in search of massive halibut. The rush to complete the fall harvest puts Eve and Otto in harm's way.
15. New Beginnings
Aired 10 January 2016 • 44 min
Otto and Charlotte build a staircase at the homestead. Elsewhere, Atz Lee comes to an important realization about his recovery while Eiven and Eve welcome a new family member.
16. Do or Die
Aired 17 January 2016 • 44 min
The Kilchers find themselves unprepared for winter's arrival. Led by Otto & Charlotte, the family's cattle trek a cold & deadly path. Shane risks losing a year's progress on his unfinished cabin, while the family embarks in two massive hunts.
17. The Last Straw
Aired 24 January 2016 • 44 min
Otto receives a terrifying house call, and the prognosis is grim. Atz Lee’s return to the Hunter’s Cabin is rudely interrupted, and he turns to a veteran homesteader for help. The Kilchers join forces to protect Shane’s cabin from winter’s fury.