Port Protection Alaska

Jul 19, 2015

Resourcefulness is key to survival in Port Protection and for 56-year resident Sam that means making the most of what he’s got. He sets out to extend the wear of his boots using mink oil — but first he must find and trap the minks. Gary heads to the shore to forage for sustenance, but extreme tides come only twice a month, so he must act quickly in order to find his dinner. Meanwhile, couple Hans and Timbi are determined to turn their property into a working farm, but recent injuries create a setback and they must rely on others in the community for help.

Jul 26, 2015

Winter’s end is approaching and the change of season brings new opportunities while closing the door on others. Sam has heard from other fishermen that halibut have been caught nearby. After months of living off of frozen food, he’s eager to catch some of the savory fish. Meanwhile trapping season is coming to a close and that means Gary is losing one of his main sources of income. He sets out for one last trapping trip in an effort to get enough fur to help meet his expenses for the year. Curly gets word that a massive tree is threatening a local house, and Mary sets out on the inexhaustible hunt for firewood.

Aug 2, 2015

The residents of Port Protection deal with the forces of nature, yet again. Curly decides to support the community and take on pesky beavers. Sam finds it’s time to start his garden and encounters bad soil so he has to search the surrounding area for the necessary ingredients to sweeten it up. Rough weather and high winds complicate Timbi’s situation when she suspects she has a life-threatening blood clot and can’t leave the island. Meanwhile, Gary sets out to do some king salmon fishing and encounters another competitor, which jeopardizes his attempts to catch a fish.

Aug 9, 2015

Spring has come to Port Protection and with it a host of chores and opportunities. Mary Miller takes advantage of bear season and heads into the nearby woods to hunt her first black bear. Gary Muehlberger sets out to trap a beaver in the hopes of teaching Port Protection’s newest resident, Amanda Makar, how to skin and treat it for its fur. And Hans and Timbi Porter overcome their recent surgeries and hike up a nearby mountain for firewood to an astonishing patch of land known as “the blow down.”

Aug 16, 2015

The spring season progresses and the residents of Port Protection encounter tasks and challenges. When Curly tries to be a good neighbor by helping his friend Jiggy with a rotten tree that threatens to fall on his house, he finds his experience and determination tested. Mary passes the torch of knowledge to Amanda, teaching her the finer points of how to hunt and track game, to provide her with the tools to survive on her own. Sam readies the fire patrol boat, staging a fire drill with other community members, which involves setting a real fire.

Aug 23, 2015

Spring has arrived, and in Port Protection that means there is work to be done despite erratic bursts of rain, sleet and snow. Hans and Timbi set out to put up a greenhouse in order to grow fresh vegetables and herbs for the year, but they’ll have to make it with supplies they can piece together on the island. Sam scours the burned-out wreckage of Jack’s old warehouse for materials to build a portable hunting stove. Mary must travel to town through brutal weather to acquire supplies she needs for the spring hunting season. And Curly takes Amanda out for a grueling lesson in dropping trees and collecting much-needed firewood.

Aug 30, 2015

Timothy “Curly” Leech and Amanda Makar set out to catch halibut with some borrowed equipment. Gary Muehlberger decides to test his mettle — and age — by returning to some old hunting grounds to catch a “hooter” and see if he’s still “got it.” Resident inventor and all-around DIY’er Sam Carlson tries to cobble together a vertical access wind turbine out of junk and scrap metal from an old shipyard. And Hans Porter sets out to test the pH levels of the town’s water supply, only to discover a dead-standing tree threatening the town’s pipeline.

Sep 6, 2015

The community of Port Protection encounters tasks and challenges as Gary goes shrimping, something he hasn’t done for a while. Meanwhile, Timbi searches for a natural remedy for Hans’ aches and pains. Curly tries to pull a tree from the forest, and Sam takes a camping trip into the island’s wilderness to hunt bear.

Sep 13, 2015

Spring has arrived and the residents of Port Protection complete essential builds and chores. Hans and Timbi take a giant step in realizing their dream of owning a working farm, by constructing a large duck pen. Sam forges staples, a small but critical tool, before heading out on his skiff to harvest firewood from the beaches surrounding Port Protection. Across the island, Mary reaches a remote mountain lake in order to catch freshwater trout, but a late spring squall has put the trip in jeopardy. Using milled wood from local trees, Curly attempts to breathe new life into his old truck by building a new flatbed, one that will provide the community with more firewood during the long, cold winter ahead.

Sep 20, 2015

Gary makes a supply run to Wrangell, Alaska, and is asked by Hans and Timbi to bring back some very precious cargo — ducks — that the whole community is counting on. Meanwhile, Hans and Timbi call on their neighbors, Mary and Amanda, to help them finish the duck barn in time for the Gary’s return. Curly, needing meat for the summer, sets out on a solo bear hunt. Sam and his friend Stuart try to solve the mystery of the town’s water shortage.

Apr 18, 2016

With winter almost upon them, the residents of Port Protection are busy using the remaining days of good weather and daylight to stock their freezers and complete crucial chores.

Apr 25, 2016

For the residents of Port Protection, a transition from fall to winter means not only a change in weather but also a change in priorities.

May 2, 2016

Mary and Curly head out on a duck hunt that tests their limits. Sam hunts for a Sitka black-tailed deer with one of his oldest hunting partners.

May 9, 2016

As winter moves in on Port Protection, residents take advantage of some rare mild weather to increase their chances of survival throughout the season.

May 23, 2016

In order to survive the menacing winter months, residents scramble to gather any remaining necessities.

May 30, 2016

Hans and Timbi head out in an old box van to pick up new additions to their family farm. Strangers have trashed Gary’s old float house but he manages to find a treasure in the mess.

Jun 2, 2016

Residents tackle repairs and community duties as the mild winter comes to and end.

Jun 6, 2016

As winter comes to an end, Port Protection residents confront the tenuousness of an Alaskan lifestyle and continue to combat Mother Nature.

Jun 13, 2016

The community takes advantage of unseasonably warm winter weather to complete necessary builds and essential chores.

Jun 20, 2016

The Porters enlist volunteers to help put finishing touches on their self-sustaining farm. After a violent storm, Sam and his son help their neighbor Stuart retrieve his sunken skiff and the three men work together to rebuild the community work float. Curly sets out on his first king salmon fishing trip. And Mary grapples with her poor health and making the trip to civilization to see her doctor.

Feb 18, 2020

As winter approaches in Port Protection, residents must be prepared or face consequences. Open deer season provides Gary Muehlberger with an opportunity to stockpile meat. Stuart Andrews and Dave Squibb fish for halibut to fill their freezers. Mary Miller faces her fears to harvest firewood for the winter. In the wake of Jethro's passing, Curly Leech trains a new dog for life in Southeast Alaska

Feb 25, 2020

Its time to stock up in Port Protection. Curly Leach goes out to get fire wood, but struggles to stop the rocks damaging his new skiff. Gary Muehlberger's first fishing trip is a bust and he decides a beer is a better idea. The next day he catches food for the cat and dog. Mary Miller goes deer hunting and hopes she doesn't become the hunted when she gets lost. Sam Carlson converts an old propane tank into a bio charcoal maker, to enrich the soil for his garden.

Mar 3, 2020

Gary Muehlberger goes on a wood hunt. Felling a huge dead pine, he is set for wood for the whole winter. Curly Leach tries to get some geese with his trainee dog, but the training is a work in progress. Sam Carlson and Dave Squibb build a giant version of a rocket stove. Their idea is to burn Port Protection waste as cleanly and efficiently as possible. Mary Miller hunts for fish for her and her animals while trying not to be sunk by a whale.

Mar 10, 2020

Sam Carlson and Dave Squibb build a crusher attachment for a log splitting machine to recycle aluminium cans. Getting near the end of the duck season, Gary Muehlberger goes hunting in the hope of bagging a few. Mary Miller feels like a change in her diet and tries her hand at shrimping. Needing more firewood for winter, Stuart Andrews looks for felled trees to cut up.

Mar 17, 2020

Port Protection's residents must complete vital tasks before winter, with the help of family or friends. Sam Carlson and his son Matt venture to remote, dangerous terrain in hopes of harvesting deer. Gary Muehlberger enlists his friend, Curly Leach, to make vital repairs to his home before the snow flies. Dave Squibb and his partner, Kristina, work to install solar panels for energy independence.

Mar 24, 2020

Gary Muehlberger heads into the forest to set his mink traps for a late harvest. Mary Miller heads up her trail to clean up falling trees for safety and for fire wood. Curly Leach takes to the boat to get some small fish to use as bait for more edible halibut. Sam Carlson and Dave Squibb set up trail cams to check on the wolf population.

Mar 31, 2020

Sam Carlson needs to take down trees threatening his home without damaging any of his buildings. Gary Muehlberger goes on the hunt for some mushrooms and then harvests his garden before the freeze. Matt Carson packs up the family for a fishing trip to stock up for winter..

Apr 7, 2020

Curly Leach needs firewood, and unable to get his old truck started in the freezing conditions, takes to the boat. Sam Carlson prepares his traps for the winter fur season. Gary Muehlberger feels the need for some clams, since his stock is finished and heads out to dig. Matt Carlson is almost out of water and takes his tank to town to fill it.

Apr 14, 2020

Now in mid winter, all hunting in Port protection is closed except for trapping, and Gary Muehlberger ventures out to set his. To stretch out his meat stock, Sam Carlson repairs his smoker, mixes pork and venison and makes sausage. Curly Leach pulls his boat, Little Pelican, to the dock for some much needed maintenance, and Dave Squibb trims back trees to get more power out of his solar panels.

Apr 21, 2020

Stuart Andrews, and Dave Squibb pull out the fire boat to attend to a controlled burn of a derelict home in Port Protection. Sam Carlson heads out to help Gary Muehlberger with a boat repair. Curly Leach takes Mary Miller on a beaver trapping teaching trip, but Mary is more interested in deer hunting. Matt Carlson takes his family to the boat graveyard to salvage useful items and collect Devils club plant.

Jan 12, 2021

As winter draws near, Port Protection residents ready themselves for Mother Nature's cruelest months. With his freezer low on venison, Gary Muehlberger trudges through the Alaskan brush in search of deer. Matt Carlson begins a long journey home alone after having left his family behind in Ketchikan. Mary Miller must first repair an outhaul before collecting firewood.

Jan 19, 2021

The residents of Port Protection prepare to survive the harsh winter. Gary Muehlberger ventures outside the safety of Port Protection in search of clams and crabs. Matt Carlson and his father Sam attempt to repair an old oil stove to provide heat. Tim "Curly" Leach and his dog search the Alaskan wetlands for duck and geese. Mary Miller hopes to catch enough fish to fill her freezer.

Jan 26, 2021

Living in Port Protection is a never-ending education on the art of survival. David Squibb fights tides and a rocky beach to install a wind generator. Mary Miller uses her carpentry skills to better preserve her meat supplies. Gary Muehlberger and old friend Litzi Botello try their luck catching a yellow eye. Curly Leach must repair his home before stockpiling firewood.

Feb 2, 2021

Port Protection residents must work together to make it through the winter. Sam Carlson and his son Matt explore new terrain in the hopes of bagging a buck. Gary Muehlberger brings down a massive tree to build a woodshed. New Port Protection resident Breanna Miethe takes on the challenge of felling her first tree. Fisherman Stuart Andrews struggles to fill his winter freezer with fish.

Feb 9, 2021

As the temperatures drop in Port Protection, it is critical that residents continue to survive despite the cruel environment around them.

Feb 16, 2021

With winter approaching, last minute chores take priority. Wether it is gathering wood for the community, building a backup water supply, securing dangerous drifting objects or just making a new hat, it must all get done.

Feb 23, 2021

Persistence and patience are necessary skills for the residents of Port Protection.

Mar 2, 2021

Residents of Port Protection rely on their hard-earned skills to survive the winter.

Mar 10, 2021

With winter coming fast, David and Sam tackle a large tree, Gary and Matt get busy building, Curley goes fishing and Breanna helps Oliver to carry out some boat maintenance.

Mar 16, 2021

Mary's home is threatened by dying trees, and she calls on Curly for help. Sam and Dave hatch a scheme to use the tide to generate electricity, and Matt heads over to Litzi to help her with the boardwalk

Jan 18, 2022

After losing one of its own, in a tragic fire, Port Protection residents try to pick themselves up, regroup, and move forward with their lives off the grid.

Jan 25, 2022

While some residents investigate other income generating opportunities, others handle some basic maintenance on their residences, and others carry out a first full inspection of their new acquisitions.

Feb 1, 2022

The old hands teach the now blood how to survive in Port Protection, while others fine tune their food gathering and growing abilities.

Mar 8, 2022

Brianna and Oliver try another bear hunt, while David adds to his wood storage. Curly sources trees to help Carl and Troy with their wood milling operation, which will enable them to continue with their home builds.

Mar 16, 2022

Carl and Morgan give their log hauler a major testing, while Sam and Troy go gill net fishing for Salmon. Oliver decides to build his own washing machine, and Mary tries to add some tasty treats to her meals.

Mar 22, 2022

Sam helps Troy with a new spearfishing rig for halibut, while David does it the hook and line way. Curly sets out for bear, while Matt teaches Morgan some tricks for deer hunting.

Mar 2, 2022

Matt and Sam give Troy a hand starting his new home. Oliver and Breanna make some safety improvements around their home and Curly gets a meal fit for a king, while David and Kristina do some essential maintenance.

Mar 8, 2022

With Squibb's help, Troy works on his new home, while Sam resurrects an old stove as a house warming gift. Curly heads off fishing, after giving Junior a luxury seat on the boat. Breanna and Oliver go duck hunting.

Mar 15, 2022

Work continues on Troy's new home with David, Sam and Oliver lending a hand , while Mary and Mike head out for halibut fishing. Carl and Morgan work on their new dock with help from Matt.

Apr 22, 2022

Matt marches through rain, wind, and snow to get some deer for the months ahead. Others tackle house building and general repairs in preparation for the coming months.

Apr 29, 2022

Mary goes to the wood store, Curly visits the fish shop without success, and Sam goes on a hunt. Troy attends to the mail, while Oliver and Breanna succeed in fishing on their boat

Apr 5, 2022

Curly helps Oliver and Breanna with duck hunting skills. Matt gets his boat on the lift for some much needed maintenance, and Mary does some deck repairs at her home. Dave works on some improvements for Troy.

Apr 12, 2022

Curly sets off on a beaver hunt to reduce the infrastructure damage. Sam repairs some community boardwalks. Mary goes in search of deer, but has concerns over wolf in the area. Matt and David undertake some waterway maintenance.

Apr 19, 2022

Curly helps Mary with some dangerous tree maintenance. Carl and Morgan add water collection equipment to their home, while Breanna and Oliver get caught in storm conditions. Litzi Botello is remembered.

Jan 11, 2023

As the community of Port Protection moves on with their lives, Squibb and Troy join forces to repair a sinking float that could cause a massive oil spill.

Jan 18, 2023

A massive tree blocks the waterway and Matt Carlson makes a plan to deal with it. Curly Leach bags his bear, and newcomer Veronica Arrants learns some halibut techniques from David Squibb

Jan 25, 2023

Sam Carlson's youngest son comes to visit from Washington. Mary goes out fishing with Curly to get bait for the crab pots. Troy assists Oliver with some much needed float repairs to his home.

Feb 1, 2023

Sam helps Breanna and Jason set up a shooting range. Carl and Morgan build a foundation for their sawmill. Dave and Curley take a road trip to the car graveyard and river nearby, while Matt and Veronica attend to the phone system.

Feb 7, 2023

Sam, Oliver and Breanna head out on a bear hunt, while Carl, Morgan, Matt, Troy and Dave Palmer work on the old sawmill installation. Veronica gets fishing lessons from Jiggy and David Squibb does some tree felling.

Feb 7, 2023

Sam and David pull out the gill net for the season. Oliver upgrades his fresh water system to be more independent. Carl improves his garden. Mary, Kristina and Breanna give Veronica some tree felling lessons.

Feb 21, 2023

Fishing season is underway. Sam and Matt replace their old boat rigging while Carl and Morgan target valuable Salmon. Curley, David and Terri tackle a dangerous fallen tree. Oliver plans to re-purpose an abandoned skiff.

Feb 28, 2023

With some help from David Squibb, Curly finally replaces the death trap decking right outside his front door. Sam Carlson builds a rocket stove.

Mar 7, 2023

Dave, and Sam give Curly some assistance to build a hoist for his dock. Veronica forages for greens while Gail and Mike fish for salmon.

Mar 14, 2023

Sam and Troy embark on a treasure dive. Mary starts her hunting. Curly sets a big bait for a big fish and Oliver builds up his firewood supply.

Mar 21, 2023

Curly constructs a duck blind and Oliver tries to get a load of crab along with Breanna, while the rest of the residents get on with before winter projects. Sam and Mike update the fire department's equipment

Mar 28, 2023

Tim and his dog are threatened by the arrival of a wolf pack. Veronical and Breanna sharpen their gun and foraging skills. Carl does some homestead improvement, while Sam and Matt scavenge for supplies.

Apr 4, 2023

Its hunting and building time in Alaska. Breanna goes on a deer hunt. Sam finishes off his workshop by installing a generator, and Oliver and Troy build a community smoker, while Mary and David catch the fish to test it out.

Apr 11, 2023

Oliver and Breanna set out their shrimp pots. Matt undertakes some much needed boat maintenance and David winterises his solar array. Sam and Curley undertake some vehicle repairs, and then head out to fish.

Apr 18, 2023

With winter approaching, the Port Protection community are all busy finishing off jobs and stocking up for the winter.

Apr 25, 2023

Everyone is trying something new. Curley takes Sam duck hunting. Matt, Carl and Morgan go crabbing in a new area. Troy tries tree felling and Veronica gets some lessons in her inherited boat with Breanna and Jiggy.

Apr 6, 2024

A long winter changes the paths of the Port Protection's residents

Mar 13, 2024

Carl hunts a deer, Troy dives, and Curly and Veronica embrace danger.

Mar 19, 2024

In Port Protection, tools aren't always used for what they're intended.

Mar 26, 2024

Curly helps battle a group of deadly trees on his neighbour's property.

Apr 2, 2024

In Port Protection, good friends equal survival, as one hand helps another.

Apr 10, 2024

Sam and Squibb's solar panel installation project lands Sam on a rotten boat roof trying to salvage a heavy, awkward mast.

Apr 16, 2024

Oliver tries new fishing gear, while Curly builds a new fish table.

Apr 23, 2024

Residents tackle tough tasks under a stormy spring sky.

Apr 30, 2024

The residents step up to a wide variety of challenges in Alaskan waters.

May 7, 2024

The Port Protection, tides ebb and flow, and so do its long-time residents.

Mar 11, 2025

The residents repair the dam to restore water and power; Squibb helps Troy and Sarah build a path to their home; Curly and Junior hunt black bear; Shipley returns to fish with his family.

Jun 9, 2025

Curly succeeds in bear hunting; Troy and Sarah attempt to move a massive water tank; Jiggy and Gale craft new fishing lures; Oliver and Breanna construct a tidal lift.

Jun 16, 2025

Summer’s peak keeps everyone busy; Troy fishes for halibut; Squibb works on dock repairs; Carl faces challenges in commercial fishing.

Jun 23, 2025

Neighbors lend a hand—helping fell dangerous trees and strengthen floating structures; Curly checks on the water system; Sam takes part in his final salmon season.

Jun 30, 2025

The community celebrates their dogs; Troy and Sarah gather salmon for Brutus; villagers build ramps to aid mobility; Oliver and Breanna continue construction projects.

Jul 7, 2025

Curly hunts deer between storms; Troy explores a shipwreck; Veronica and Terry revitalize Litzi’s old garden; Sam and Squibb haul in a large catch.

Jul 14, 2025

Challenging hunts and laborious construction test residents; berry-picking and food gathering continue; storms damage homes and docks.

Jul 21, 2025

Father-son hunting trips put skills to the test; Breanna sets out on her own deer hunt; Squibb helps Veronica with repairs; new water system projects take shape.

Jul 28, 2025

Oliver and Troy upgrade their homes; Jiggy attempts to track moose; families focus on building, gathering, and preparing for winter.

Aug 4, 2025

Sam accidentally sparks a fire while shutting down a generator; Oliver and Breanna haul logs; Squibb and Dave Palmer help Terry Simpson build a cabin; Jiggy demonstrates moose-tracking skills.