Yukon Men

***Yukon Men*** is an American reality television series following the lives of several inhabitants of the remote Alaskan village of Tanana, which is situated by the Yukon River. It was produced by Paper Route Productions and aired for seven seasons on the Discovery Channel from August 24, 2012 to June 16, 2017.

## Premise

Tanana is a town deep in the remote interior of Alaska, at the junction of two powerful rivers, with no roads in or out, where wolves howling through the frigid air reminds the 200 people living there how isolated they really are. The series follows these people as they face some of the most brutal winters on record.

Life here is harsh, as people struggle to find food and heat, and battle life-threatening predators just to survive. Boys grow into men quickly here because they must help the family survive. Father-son bonding and tensions take on a new meaning in this environment. The stakes are high in Tanana, and to defy the odds, survive and battle the harsh Alaskan wilderness, these men must overcome obstacles, stick together and prevail.

## Cast

* **Stan Zuray** - Stan was raised in Boston, Massachusetts before he moved to Alaska. He is an outdoorsman with over 40 years of experience in the Alaskan wilderness.
* **Joey Zuray** - Joey is Stan's son in his early twenties. According to his father, he is a natural at home in the Alaskan interior. He hunts and traps to sustain himself, his family and elders of the community.
* **Charlie Wright** - Charlie is a water-planter, mechanic, trapper and hunter.
* **Robert "Bob" Wright** - Robert is Charlie's son in his early twenties. Throughout the show, he is being taught family traditions and skills such as beaver trapping by his father.
* **The Moore family** - Pat Moore owns the leading local kennel where his children Thomas Moore and Courtney Agnes work. He also has to care for his wife Lorraine.
* **James Roberts** - James is a major provider of lumber for Tanana. He also owns a kennel. His teenage sons help with the businesses.

## Episodes

Main article: *List if Yukon Men episodes*

## Reception

### Ratings

*Yukon Men* came in with large numbers during its second week, becoming the second biggest non-sports program in cable among M25-54, earning a 1.07 HH/.076 P25-54, and earning an average of 1.48 million viewers P2+. It remained at this spot during its third week, earning a 1.13 HH/.084 P25-54, delivering an average of 1.52 million viewers P2+. Its fifth week earned it a 1.20 HH/0.81 P25-54, delivering an average of 1.67 million viewers P2+ and ranking it as the #1 non-sports program among M25-54. On October 12, it retained its position among P/M25-54 and M18-49 and earned a 1.14 HH/1.12 P25-54/1.41 M25-54 and delivered an average rating of 2.02 million viewers P2+. The season finale earned a 1.46 HH/1.15 P25-54, delivering an average of 2.15 million viewers P2+.

The second season premiere episode, "Feast or Famine", earned a series high 1.74 HH/1.44 P25-54/1.09 P18-49 and delivered 2.6 million viewers P2+ and was the #2 ad-supported cable program on Friday night behind *Gold Rush Live* among P25-54 delivery and P/M 18-49 (no exclusions). For the second season's episode "Tough Choices", the show earned a 1.41 HH/1.06 P25-54 and delivered 2.10 million total viewers P2+ ranking behind *Bering Sea Gold* among P/M25-54 delivery (excluding sports) as the second biggest ad-supported cable program on Friday night. A household rating among Persons and Men 25-54 was delivered with "Eeling and Dealing", earning a 1.42 HH/0.96 P25-54 and delivered 2.07 million total viewers P2+.

### Critical

*Yukon Men* received mostly positive reviews from critics. Mark A. Perigard from the Boston Herald stated, "For a network that specializes in tough guy shows (think *Survivorman* and *Deadliest Catch*), *Yukon Men* doesn't stint on testosterone." Tom Conroy from Media Life Magazine said "The show doesn't need all this dramatic foreshadowing. The scenes of hunting, setting traps, dressing a carcass and even stoking the furnaces at the water plant are enlightening and fun. Most of the men work with their sons, and the bonding isn't overhyped. The half-light of winter gives an extra beauty to the spectacular landscapes."