Parents' Guide to

Yukon Men

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Life in the wild can be rough; language, hunting, and more.

TV Discovery Channel Reality TV 2012
Yukon Men Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 18+

Based on 6 parent reviews

Silverpat
Silverpat Adult
September 10, 2020
age 18+

Animal & Sled Dog abuse

One man threw 4 of his dogs in the ice cold river and made them swim to shore. He wanted to see which dogs were faster!! That’s BS! Their ways are abusive to all animals! They want to stay living a 3rd world country like & not let any new Ts in their village. Mainly because they don’t want to share the animals they kill with anyone!!

This title has:

Too much violence
acdclove
acdclove Adult
July 21, 2020
age 18+

Mickey & Minnie

Who are Chris & Jessie ? They have ruined a fantastic show. Are the really near Tanana, how come none of the regulars know them. turned up totally unprepared. Built that log bridge on their own..right. Don't think he could tie his own shoe laces. Wher did the dog come from
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

YUKON MEN follows some of the residents of Tanana, Alaska -- a remote interior village in the Yukon territory -- as they struggle to find food, fight off deadly predators, and survive the elements in order to live. Faced with a food crisis, residents like Stan Zuray, Charlie Wright, and their sons brave the extreme cold, rough Yukon terrain, stormy weather, raging rivers, and wild animals and venture farther and farther away from town to hunt caribou and other game to feed their families and other residents who can't hunt on their own. Meanwhile, local residents like Courtney Agnus and James Roberts do what they can to keep the sled dogs fed and cut enough firewood to protect the town's water plant from freezing. Residents must also watch out for dangerous wolves and other predators who are approaching the town, desperately looking for food. It's a rugged and dangerous life, and one that often means putting people's lives at risk to protect their families and their community.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (6):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Yukon Men highlights what contemporary life is like in a remote, interior Alaskan town, where residents must rely on the land -- and on one another -- to take care of everyday necessities, including heat, water, food, and even burying their dead. It also underscores how environmental changes are negatively impacting the weather, animal behavior, and people's overall ability to survive.

It's informative, but the show does have scenes of animals being trapped, hunted, killed, and butchered, as well as some scenes relating to the death of a resident, all of which may be difficult for younger and/or sensitive viewers to handle. But folks who like this sort of voyeuristic experience will find it worth watching.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what life is like in remote areas of America. Why do people choose to live in places with no roads or running water? What are some of the benefits? Drawbacks?

  • What are some of the things you would have to do in order to survive in a remote environment? Do you think you could live the way the people on Yukon Men do? Why or why not?

  • Why do you think these people agreed to appear on a reality show? Money? Fame? To educate viewers about their lives? Why are viewers interested in shows like this?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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