Rival animal dynasties attempt to gain control of the kingdom, and in the midst of their struggles for power, one leader's reign reaches its tragic end.
A mother is forced to teach her young cubs important lessons about survival amid rising flood waters that pose threats to their lives and to their home.
As winter gradually fades, Andy puts out snares to keep his food coming; Erik and Martha build a smoker for their moose meat; Chip and Agnes hunt more caribou.
As spring approaches, Chip and Agnes set out the traps for the fur trade; Erik and Martha stock up on caribou meat; Glenn races to retrieve meat he has stored.
Sue's snow machine crash injuries make her future uncertain; Chip's snow machine breakdown threatens their hunt for caribou; Erik and Martha go ice fishing.
Spring arrives in Alaska; Sue returns to her lodge to deal with four months' worth of damage; the Hailstone family sets up camp for the Alaskan summer.
Glenn sets up camp to hunt wild sheep; Jessie rushes to get his fish wheel in place before the season starts; Sue's recent injury forces her to hire help.
Sue goes fishing to rebuild her food supply; Chip Hailstone gathers the wood his family needs to preserve their food; Erik and Martha fish for Arctic grayling.
The Hailstones brave treacherous waters as they return from a hunt; Erik and Martha take their last fishing trip before winter; Jessie gets lost hunting moose.
A harsh drought hits the region and affects all the animals, which forces the mothers to search for a way to save their offspring from a deadly situation.