Plot Synopsis

ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE is a one-hour reality series that follows Billy Brown and his wife Ami, as they raise their seven children while living off Alaska's land like nomads. But the freedom of the life in the backwoods of Alaska comes with its fair share of struggles for this unique clan. When they're not searching for food, shelter, and clean water, they're battling nature's elements and navigating the struggles of being a family -- teenagers who are dating, chores that need to be done, and sibling rivalries. Now, after being pushed off their land, the Browns travel deep into the Alaskan bush to build a small shack where they will all sleep and might go six months without seeing an outsider. Originally developed and scheduled to premiere in spring 2014 on Animal Planet, Discovery Networks changed the name of the series -- from ALASKA BUSH FAMILY to ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE -- and moved it to Discovery Channel before it premiered.

ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE returned for its second season on Friday, January 2, 2015 at 10pm ET/PT on Discovery. Since their family boat sank, the Browns have been stranded in the city of Ketchikan, Alaska and confined -- all nine of them -- to a small 800 square foot apartment. For a family unfamiliar with modern society, it's been a shock to the system and they're desperate to return to the bush. Bear and Snowbird, who are overwhelmed by public places, have been hit particularly hard. But through it all, they've stuck together and still live under one roof. Now, after months of preparation, they're ready to return to the wild and build a new home. With the Alaskan winter closing in, they need to get to their piece of land -- a raw and untamed 29 acres on a remote island -- before the weather traps them in the city. The journey ahead will be difficult. Chichagof Island, where they've chosen to live, has the highest population of bears per square mile of any place on Earth and no roads lead to their property, which is covered by 100-200 foot widow makers and often experiences gale force winds. But for the Browns, this is the home they've dreamed of for more than 30 years and one worth fighting for.

On Friday, May 29, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT on Discovery, ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE returned for its third season, immediately following a brand-new special at 8pm and an all-day marathon of encore episodes (9am-8pm). This season the Browns look to the future and, for this self-proclaimed wolf pack, that means growing their clan. With the sons in their 20s and 30s, they're eager to meet "the one" and start families of their own. To grow the Brown family, Ami takes it upon herself to hire a local matchmaker. As the boys date, they also work with the family to secure consistent food sources and build out the homestead, including a "bush comfort" -- a homemade clothes dryer constructed from an oil drum and old metal fencing and heated by an open fire. In midst of all of this, the family faces enormous personal challenges when Ami is forced to seek medical attention in town. With the stakes higher than ever and unexpected costs piling up, the family gambles on a new idea they hope will secure they're future -- launching a business that will lead the family deeper into the bush than they ever imagined.

Season 4 of ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE premiered on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT on Discovery, immediately following an all-day marathon (9am-9pm) of encore episodes. Last season, Billy Brown, his wife Ami and their seven grown children finally settled down, having built their dream home on the remote Chichagof Island, Alaska. Making their house a home, the Browns worked to source consistent food staples along with bush comfort -- a homemade clothes dryer constructed from an oil drum, old metal fencing, and heated by an open fire. With shelter in place, it's time for the Browns to look towards the future and take life in the bush to the next level. Billy realizes that in order for Browntown to thrive, he must give his kids more responsibility maintaining life at home and stocking up for winter. It's time for Browntown to grow and grow up. In the season opener, "Block and Trade," the Brown family of nine makes the most of the long days during the short Alaskan summer. They hatch a plan to deal with a lumber shortage but then a sudden injury threatens to split the family apart.

ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE returned for its fifth season on Friday, May 6, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT on Discovery, immediately following an 11-hour marathon (10am-9pm) of encore episodes. In the season opener, "The Wolf Pack Returns," a happy homecoming for the Brown family of nine means hard work is ahead to get Browntown back on track. Time away came at a cost and prospects are lean without a working skiff. A highly risky haul with an all or nothing offer may be the only solution.

Season 6 of ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE premiered on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 9pm ET/PT on Animal Planet. This season, Billy Brown, wife Ami, and their seven grown children are focused on staying together at all costs. Matt Brown returns, rejoining the family and their new cow Sabrina. When the nest is full, it's all-hands-on-deck to find sustainable food and resources. The Browns' take their "bushcraft" to new levels, creating homemade dynamite and building their own sawmill. Plus, he family grapples with tough choices, as the Brown boys continue their search for love. The family will also face challenges as they endure the elements of Alaska, including storms, more bears and grueling trips to protect their livelihood. It's a tough existence for the Brown family - but they wouldn't have it any other way. In the season opener, "All That Matters," a storm overtakes Chichagof island and threatens the safety of the Brown Family as they set out on a journey to bring home a new addition to Browntown; oldest brother Matt returns home for a fresh start.

The seventh season of ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE premiered on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 9pm ET/PT on Discovery, immediately following a nine-hour marathon (Noon-9pm) of encore episodes. In the season opener, "One for All," the Browns continue to work hard and tirelessly to gather food, secure resources and build everything from scratch in their pursuit of a self-sustaining town and being more isolated and independent than ever before.

Season 8 of ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE premiered on Sunday, August 19, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT on Discovery Channel. After a year of hardship, the Browns are ready to make their long-awaited return to the wild. With over 400 acres of raw wilderness in the Pacific Northwest, the family faces new challenges - from severe weather to re-building their homestead in unfamiliar surroundings - that will make their bond stronger than ever. The Brown's quest for a new life in the bush begins with establishing their foothold on their new property, but trouble strikes when the road that leads to their new home becomes a treacherous winding path of mud. It's crucial for the Brown's to fix the road, but are they equipped to handle such a large task? Following her year-long battle with cancer, Ami Brown, the family matriarch, heads back to the bush full of hope and optimism. Billy, the Brown family patriarch, is determined to continue the family's self-sufficient and unique way of life. "As long as God, Ami, and my family are beside me, I'll ride the wind of adventure to the end." Matt, the first-born Brown sibling, brings his problem-solving skills and passion for the wild to the new homestead. Bam Bam, the second-born son and the family's voice of reason, has his hands full with the new dangers of living on a remote mountain top. Noah is the inventor of the family, while Bear reconnects with his animal instincts deep in the bush. Gabe, having survived the most stressful year of his life, finds his old, humorous self in the wild. Snowbird and Raindrop are the two daughters of the Brown clan - Rain, the youngest, takes on a new role, helping the family build their biggest structure yet, while Bird, the family hunter, steps up to hold the entire wolfpack together when times are at their worst. This season comes after life-altering challenges and strife, but the Browns are a family unlike any other - and with the whole family back together, they are determined to reclaim their natural home in the wild.

The ninth season of ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE premiered on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at 10pm ET/PT on Discovery Channel. With their first foothold of self-sufficiency realized with the construction of their barn last season, the Browns re-dedicate themselves to the life they love off-grid in the wild mountains of the pacific northwest. They're closer than ever to realizing their lifelong family dream of a sustainable ranch but must overcome new challenges and incredible family changes as a brutal winter hits earlier than expected. It's a race against mother nature's clock as the wolfpack attempts to build a winterized cabin, hunt, and stockpile food ahead of a harsh winter. Last year's record snowfall made it clear that the Brown's temporary shelter will not withstand their first full winter on the mountain, placing more pressure than ever on the family's need to complete necessary infrastructure, including a suitable shelter before the mountain freezes. This season also brings extraordinary changes for the Brown family. Billy, the Brown family patriarch, has an expansive new vision for the family's homestead, including new livestock, and a 2000lb bull. Ami continues her incredible recovery in her fight against cancer and passes on her bush knowledge to the wolfpack. Bird spearheads hunts, and steps further into her role as a leader. Bam, the second-born son and the family's voice of reason, has his hands full with new builds for the ranch. Bear continues to immerse himself in the wild, while Gabe puts his new-found love life front and center. As youngest daughter Rain approaches adulthood, she faces high expectations and potential failure, against the tradition of Brown family rites of passage. The biggest change of all comes as Noah, the family inventor, and his new wife Rhain-Alisha get news that they are expecting the first grandchild of the wolfpack. Noah races to build the perfect bush home on the ranch for his growing family.

Season 10 of ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE premiered on Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT on Discovery. After six months on the mountain, the Wolfpack has fully re-dedicated themselves to the goal of total self-sufficiency they began in Alaska. But winter is closing in and it's a race against the clock as the Browns set out to achieve their dream of a big mountain ranch. With land divided up amongst the Brown children, the family faces new wildlife threats as they race to complete necessary infrastructure, including unique homes for each sibling. With winter only weeks away, it becomes even more critical this season as the Wolfpack grows by one member, with the addition of Noah and wife Rhain Alisha's first child, Elijah. The family's excitement around the first Bush baby is accompanied with new challenges, but Noah's resourcefulness is called upon as he works hard to create practical innovations for his new son including a self-warming baby bath, a power-tool driven baby rocker and a castle house. This season also brings Billy closer to his dream of running a fully-functional family ranch equipped with horses, a fortified bullpen and a winterized barn. In addition, Ami continues to regain her strength and makes plans to start prepping for her garden in the spring. In the season premiere, the Brown family works together after a snowstorm to haul a connex up the mountain for Bear's new dwelling. Bird and Rain discover a billy goat in their herd and go to extreme lengths to confirm their suspicions that one of the female goats is pregnant. Throughout the season, the Wolfpack will work hard to accomplish their goals in pursuit of complete self-reliance, while mother nature and a freezing winter bring new challenges and dangers to their mountain homestead.

ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE returned for its eleventh season on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at 8pm ET/PT on Discovery Channel. The Brown family has been working tirelessly to ready North Star Ranch over the past year, embarking on a mission to build infrastructure and finally realize their legacy on the mountain. This season, spring descends on North Star Ranch, as the patriarch and matriarch of the clan, Billy and Ami, push the next generation of the Wolfpack, Bam, Bear, Gabe, Noah, Bird and Rain to strengthen their own footholds on the mountain to create a bigger, better, more sustainable version of Browntown. The Brown family's quest to achieve their dream of a fully self-contained village is on the line. The homestead has a different dynamic this season with new wives and babies joining the family. Brothers Gabe and Noah are settling down with significant others and beginning their journeys as parents in the wild. Noah moves forward with his plans to build a home and bring Rhain Alisha and Baby Elijah back to the mountain while Gabe and Raquel prepare for a Bush wedding and the first granddaughter. After meeting his 'bush princess', Bear begins dating which leads to big news of his own. With more mouths to feed than ever before and depleted resources, the Wolfpack is forced to create a much more self-sustainable mountain, with power and water connecting each individual dwellings. Just as the dream is within reach and each sibling has established his or her own distinct role in the community - father Billy is given a grave prognosis by doctors - his days may be numbered continuing his lifestyle. Thumbing his nose at society, it's live free or die as Billy doubles down on the dream; and the family comes together in a final frenzy before winter to build Billy, Ami, and the new mini-wolfpacks a communal home in the middle of the ranch. The Brown family will tackle new challenges like never before and every member of the Wolfpack must make valuable contributions to the homestead in order for the family to survive and thrive on the mountain.

Season 12 of ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE premiered on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at 8pm ET/PT on Discovery Channel. This season the Wolfpack faces the biggest challenge of their lives, in subzero temperatures, to complete the family's dream cabin on the mountain before Spring. It's a race against time as the Browns attempt to build the centerpiece to their growing ranch during the worst winter conditions since leaving Alaska. As the family struggles to protect themselves, their animals, and critical infrastructure from the extreme freeze, a new member enters the family as brother Gabe welcomes his first child to the wilderness. While facing a brutal winter that threatens the family's progress on the entire ranch, the Browns are more determined than ever to protect their dream. In an effort to keep their parents in the bush amidst Billy's health concerns, the kids join forces to complete a two-story cabin that will be home for Billy, Ami, Noah, Rhain Alisha, Eli, Gabe, Raquell, and their new baby. But with the foundation started late, the siblings must build a mega bonfire in an attempt to unfreeze the frozen ground. Gabe grows into his role as protector as he becomes a dad and learns to ride a horse to scout the property. Bear re-immerses himself in the wild as he struggles to cope with a devastating breakup. Noah gets inventive and builds the family's first tractor snowplow and Bird takes her leather-crafting skills to a whole new level. Battling extreme weather and new life changes, the Browns put their family bond to the test as they race to complete the cabin.

The 13th season of ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE premiered on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT on Discovery. Following a devastating wildfire that swept through North Star Ranch last year, the Browns return to survey the destruction. With many struggling to cope in the aftermath, father Billy inspires big, new adventure to keep the dream alive, including the hunt for gold and an epic voyage back to Alaska. But then, unthinkable tragedy strikes, and leaves the family picking up the pieces after the loss of their patriarch. The Brown family is dedicating this season to their beloved patriarch, Billy Brown. He was a trailblazer, and the family will strive to keep his dreams and sense of adventure alive for generations to come. In the weeks prior to the wildfire, the Brown family discovers gold mine entrances on unexplored areas of their land, leading siblings, Bird, Rain and Bear to explore more than 70 feet below ground. Following the wildfire that swept through the mountain, the Wolfpack returns to their homestead to assess the damage and decide if the dream they've been building in Washington is worth carrying on. But some of the Browns struggle to push forward on their mountain home and long for life back in Alaska. Just as the family begins to recover from the fire, they suffer their most devastating test yet -- with the loss of their revered patriarch, Billy. A father, a husband, and a hero to the pack -- the loss creates a seismic shift in the Brown family as they question the will to carry on. The dream Billy fought so hard to achieve for his family -- hangs in the balance.
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Season 14 of ALASKAN BUSH PEOPLE premiered on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT on Discovery Channel. It's been one year since the death of beloved patriarch, Billy Brown, and the Wolfpack must figure out how to navigate their own personal lives while keeping their father's dream and legacy alive. This season, the family forges forward with their biggest plans yet which immediately face obstacles. Now settled into fatherhood, Noah shocks the family with big plans for a move back to Alaska. His hope is to raise his family in the same way he was brought up in the bush, but the hunt for a remote property around the islands of Southeast Alaska is ambitious and dangerous. Bear faces a real life "love off the grid" story as city-born wife Raiven, along with son River, decide to inhabit the mountain. But will the isolated nature of bush living and lack of comforts be too much for the newly married couple to overcome? Bird looks north to Alaska in hopes of gaining closure with her father's death. However, her plans come to a screeching halt when she is faced with a major health crisis that forces her to make critical decisions about starting a family. Meanwhile, Ami and Bam struggle to make the ranch profitable in the face of Mother Nature's wrath, as Gabe tries to build his growing family a home on the mountain before the harsh winter arrives.