Mountain Men Cast – Current Stars, Former Members, and Who Passed Away.

The History Channel’s reality series Mountain Men has captivated audiences since its debut in 2012. The show follows rugged individuals who live off the grid in America’s wilderness – from the Montana Rockies to remote Alaskan ranges – relying on ancient survival skills to sustain their families. Over more than a decade and 12+ seasons, Mountain Men has built a loyal fanbase drawn to its authentic portrayal of modern-day frontiersmen and women. This long-running appeal comes from witnessing the cast battle brutal winters, dangerous predators, and isolation in order to live free and self-sufficient lives. Below, we provide an updated overview of the current cast (latest season), a look at former cast members who have left (and why), and a respectful tribute to those cast members who have passed away.

Overview of Mountain Men and Its Enduring Appeal

Premiering in May 2012 on History Channel, Mountain Men began by profiling a handful of eccentric survivalists devoted to an off-the-grid lifestyle. The series highlights how these individuals hunt, trap, farm, and craft everything they need, facing down blizzards, wild animals, and rugged terrain far from modern conveniences. Viewers have been fascinated by this premise, turning Mountain Men into one of the network’s staple reality shows. It joins other popular survival shows on the channel (such as Alone) and has aired for well over a decade, recently returning for its 13th season in late 2024. The show’s popularity stems from its mix of breathtaking wilderness, genuine hardship, and the cast’s ingenuity and grit. Each episode offers a window into a vanishing way of life – one where everyday survival is a full-time job, and where independence and resilience are the measures of success.

Current Cast of Mountain Men (Latest Season)

As of the most recent season (Season 13, aired 2024–25), Mountain Men features a blend of original stars and newer faces continuing the tradition of living off the land. Below is a list of the current cast members, along with brief bios highlighting their lifestyles and roles on the show:

Tom Oar (Montana)

Tom Oar is a beloved original cast member and former rodeo cowboy who has lived in the remote Yaak Valley of northwestern Montana for decades. Now in his 80s, Tom and his wife Nancy still reside in the hand-built log cabin they constructed over 40 years ago, making a living by trapping, tanning animal hides, and crafting traditional tools and clothing from nature. Facing seven-month winters, Tom works hard to stockpile meat and firewood, using skills passed down from mountain men of old. His determination to remain free in the wilderness is unwavering – even after announcing plans to retire to Florida around 2018, Tom ultimately returned to his Montana homestead and remains a central figure on the show. Every day brings new challenges for Tom as age catches up with him, but he continues to “live wild and free” in the mountains he loves.

Marty Meierotto (Alaska)

Another original cast member, Marty Meierotto is a trapper and bush pilot living deep in interior Alaska. Each winter, Marty resides alone in a one-room log cabin hundreds of miles from civilization, running a trapline in sub-zero temperatures. During the brief daylight hours, he travels by snowmobile to set and check traps for lynx, marten, and other fur-bearing animals. Marty moved to Alaska in the 1980s to pursue the life of a full-time fur trapper and even learned to fly a bush plane so he can reach the most remote corners of the wilderness. A devoted husband and father, Marty left the series after Season 8 to spend more time with his young daughter, Noah, taking her along on his trapline for a winter. After a few years away, Marty made a much-anticipated return in Season 13, once again braving Alaska’s brutal bush and passing down his knowledge and adventurous spirit to the next generation.

Jake Herak (Montana)

Jake Herak is a younger member of the cast who embodies the spirit of the Old West as a houndsman in Montana’s Tobacco Root Mountains. Born and raised in Montana, Jake moved to the remote Ruby Valley as a teen and developed a passion for training hound dogs to track mountain lions across treacherous backcountry terrain. Now, chasing deadly predators is not just a passion but Jake’s full-time winter vocation. Together with his pack of specially trained hounds, he has caught hundreds of mountain lions over the years, protecting local ranches by driving problem cougars away from livestock and back into the wild. Every time Jake unleashes his dogs, however, anything can happen – the hunts often lead him into dangerous, unpredictable situations in Big Sky Country. In addition to mountain lions, Jake must also be wary of Montana’s other apex predators (like grizzly bears and wolves) while out in the wilderness. His fearless, “full-throttle” approach to mountain life makes him a standout among the Mountain Men crew.

Mike Horstman (Alaska)

Mike Horstman is a master hunting guide living on the storm-battered shores of Kodiak Island in Alaska. A resident of Kodiak since the early 1980s, Mike lives completely alone in a remote coastal cabin only reachable by boat or floatplane – and only when weather permits. He earns his income guiding bear and deer hunts for a few months each year, but the rest of the time Mike survives by subsistence. He hunts Sitka blacktail deer and mountain goats for meat, catches salmon and halibut from the sea, and traps fox, otter, and beaver for fur. Maintaining his off-grid homestead in one of the harshest environments on Earth is a never-ending task. Not only does Mike contend with fierce storms and isolation, he also shares the island with an estimated 3,500 giant Kodiak brown bears – meaning he must always be vigilant in protecting himself and his food supply. Mike’s skills and toughness have made him a key figure in Mountain Men since he joined the show in Season 7, representing the extreme end of Alaskan wilderness living.

Paul Antczak (Montana)

Paul Antczak is a veteran fur trapper from Montana who joined Mountain Men in recent seasons. With nearly 40 years of trapping experience, Paul settled in Montana’s remote Salish Mountains and quickly earned a reputation as one of the state’s top trappers – even gaining the friendship and respect of legend Tom Oar. Paul makes his living controlling predator populations for local ranches and running extensive traplines that span dozens of miles across rugged terrain. He is also an innovator, concocting his own specialized baits and lures which he sells to trappers around the country. After years of saving money, Paul purchased a plot of land deep in the national forest. With the help of his son, Chance, he has been tirelessly building an off-grid homestead from scratch – felling timber, raising shelter, and doing whatever it takes to carve out a life in the mountains. Paul’s expertise in traditional trapping and homesteading adds a new chapter to the show’s portrayal of Montana’s mountain men.

Lauro Eklund (Alaska)

Lauro Eklund is an Alaskan musher who has built his life around sled dogs – Alaska’s original mode of wilderness transportation. The son of a “rogue Alaska adventurer” named Neil Eklund, Lauro grew up in the remote interior of Alaska, spending summers with his father floating down the Yukon River on a log raft and learning survival skills firsthand. Inspired by old-timer tales, Lauro acquired his first sled dog as a teenager and over the last decade has grown his kennel to over thirty Alaskan huskies. He now uses his dog team for everything from winter trapping and hunting expeditions to guiding backcountry trips – and even competes in renowned long-distance sled dog races like the 1,000-mile Iditarod. Caring for and training such a large dog team is a year-round occupation that requires living off the land to feed the huskies and himself. It’s grueling, unglamorous work – with brutal cold, long days, and constant physical strain – but Lauro thrives on this lifestyle and wouldn’t trade it for anything. His addition to Mountain Men (in Season 13) showcases the proud Alaskan mushing tradition and the challenges of subsistence living with a pack of sled dogs.

Bret Bohn & Ivy O’Guinn (Alaska)

Bret Bohn and his wife Ivy O’Guinn are married couple who represent the next generation of Mountain Men in Alaska. Both born and raised in the Alaskan wilderness, they form a true outdoor “power couple.” Bret is an elite hunting guide and trapper who even built himself a log cabin in the bush as a teenager. Ivy is an Alaska Native fisherwoman and skilled taxidermist who grew up on the shores of Bristol Bay and the Kenai Peninsula, learning the fishing trade from her mother and grandmother. In winter, the couple live together in Bret’s remote cabin just south of Denali, where they survive off the land and run a trapline that winds for hundreds of miles through snowy backcountry. In the summer months, they relocate to the tiny coastal village of Egegik on Bristol Bay, where Ivy works as a commercial fisherman – a seasonal livelihood she’s pursued her entire life. Adjusting to married life off-grid can be as challenging as the wilderness itself, and viewers see Bret and Ivy learning to navigate each other’s worlds. Their adventures together in Alaska’s unforgiving environment provide both inspiration and a touch of modern reality to the show, proving that the spirit of Mountain Men can very much be a family affair.

Daniel Peters (Alaska)

Daniel Peters is a skilled trapper and commercial fisherman from the rugged Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. Having grown up in an isolated island community where steady jobs are scarce and living off the land is a necessity, Daniel learned early on how to hunt, fish, and trap to support himself and his family. He became proficient in traversing both the dense forests and the stormy seas of the region – spending much of his life either high in the mountains or on a fishing boat in the Pacific. Now in his 30s with a wife and four children, Daniel’s subsistence lifestyle carries even greater responsibility: every day he ventures out into remote areas (where few others dare to go) to bring back fresh meat and fish for his family’s table. He also harvests valuable furs and helps protect local deer populations by keeping wolf and bear numbers in check. Daniel’s addition to Mountain Men (starting Season 13) highlights the challenges of balancing family life with the constant demands of surviving off-grid. His deep knowledge of Southeast Alaska’s woods and waters – and his willingness to battle Mother Nature’s fury to provide for his kids – make him a compelling example of the new generation carrying the torch of the mountain man lifestyle.

(Along with the above, the show continues to be narrated by actor D.B. Sweeney, whose voice has guided viewers through the triumphs and trials of the Mountain Men cast for every season.)

Former Cast Members Who Left Mountain Men (and Why)

Over the years, a number of Mountain Men cast members have departed the series for various reasons – from pursuing other endeavors to facing life changes that took them off camera. Below is a look at notable former cast members, the seasons they appeared, and, if known, the reasons behind their departures:

Eustace Conway (Seasons 1–12)

Eustace Conway was one of the original stars of Mountain Men and essentially the face of the show in its early years. A naturalist and educator, Eustace lives on a parcel of land in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina that he calls Turtle Island – where he teaches primitive survival skills and lives in harmony with nature. Throughout seasons 1–12, viewers watched Eustace use traditional techniques to harvest firewood, build shelters, and even fight legal battles to keep his land. Eustace was notably absent in Season 13, marking the first time he did not appear on the show. The network did not provide a public explanation for his departure, leaving fans to speculate. It’s believed that Eustace, now in his 60s, may be focusing on managing Turtle Island Preserve full-time off camera. After years of fending off poachers, aiding neighbors, and even mourning the loss of his best friend Preston on the show, Eustace earned a reputation as the ultimate modern mountain man. His exit after Season 12 closed a significant chapter of Mountain Men. (Fans continue to hope he may return, but as of the latest season he has stepped away from the series.)

Marty Meierotto (Seasons 1–8; returned in Season 13)

Marty Meierotto’s initial departure was one of the most emotional in the series. After starring from Season 1 through 8, Marty announced on-air that he would be leaving Mountain Men to devote more time to his family. As his daughter Noah grew into her teens, Marty felt it was important to have one-on-one time with her in the Alaskan bush without the cameras around. He explained that taking his daughter along to run his trapline for a winter – a tradition in their family – was something he needed to do privately, for her growth and their family bond. Fans were saddened, but respected Marty’s decision to “close that chapter.” Notably, at the same time in 2018, fellow star Tom Oar had also said he was retiring (though Tom later returned). After a multi-year hiatus, Marty surprised and delighted viewers by rejoining the cast in Season 13, picking up right where he left off in Alaska’s remote wilderness. Marty’s temporary exit and comeback underscore his status as a true fan favorite – his skills and humble persona were clearly missed, and his return brought the show full circle with one of its original mountain men back in action.

Rich Lewis (Seasons 2–6)

Rich Lewis is a mountain lion hunter from Montana who appeared from Season 2 through Season 6. Living in Montana’s Ruby Valley with his wife Diane, Rich became known for patrolling the wilderness with a team of hound dogs, tracking cougars that threatened local livestock. A gritty, no-nonsense outdoorsman often accompanied by his trusty dog team, Rich had numerous close calls while pursuing mountain lions on the show. By the end of Season 6, however, Rich decided it was time to hang up his spurs. On camera he openly acknowledged that he was “getting too old for this” demanding lifestyle, which involved scrambling over mountains in sub-zero temperatures after dangerous predators. After Season 6, Rich did not return, effectively retiring from Mountain Men to enjoy a quieter life in Montana. His departure was amicable – it was simply a matter of age and safety catching up with him. Rich’s run on the series left fans with memorable moments of man and hounds versus mountain lions, and he remains a respected figure among the show’s alumni.

Morgan Beasley & Margaret Stern (Seasons 4–8)

Morgan Beasley and his partner Margaret Stern joined Mountain Men in Season 4 and departed after Season 8. The couple lived off-grid in the Alaska Range, where they built their own remote homestead and even obtained their pilot licenses to access distant areas of the bush. Morgan, originally from Idaho with a background in environmental science, dedicated his life to the outdoors and voiced disdain for modern city life. Together with Margaret (who is a botanist and survival expert, referred to as “Margaret”, Morgan showcased a highly independent lifestyle — from building log cabins to foraging and starting a business offering wilderness tours. Their last appearance was in the Season 8 finale (“Seize the Day”) in 2019, and their exit was abrupt and without on-screen explanation. No official reason was given for why Morgan and Margaret left Mountain Men. It’s possible that filming the series began to interfere with their responsibilities at home – running their off-grid tourist venture (Apricity Alaska) and managing their homestead kept them busy year-round. Since leaving the show, the duo have continued their wilderness lifestyle and even started a YouTube channel to document their adventures. While fans missed their unique story, Morgan and Margaret seem content living life on their own terms, off-camera.

Jason Hawk (Seasons 5–9)

Jason Hawk, a bladesmith and homesteader originally from Arkansas, was featured on Mountain Men from Season 5 through Season 9. Jason was known for his skill in knife-making and his family’s simple life near the Ozarks, where he lived with his wife Mary and their children, using traditional blacksmithing and survival techniques. Many viewers appreciated Jason’s creativity (such as forging his own tools) and the way he balanced wilderness living with raising a young family. After Season 9, Jason Hawk and his family disappeared from the show. The reason, unfortunately, was a serious health battle: Jason was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, which made it impossible for him to continue filming the physically demanding series. His contract with Mountain Men was not renewed after Season 9 as he turned his focus to treatment and recovery. Jason’s departure was not officially addressed on the show at the time, but news of his cancer fight later became public when the family set up a GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses. Fans were deeply saddened to learn of his condition and rallied to support the Hawk family. Jason’s time on Mountain Men showcased his artistry and tenacity; although his journey on the show was cut short by illness, he left a lasting impression as a resourceful mountain man who put family first. (Tragically, Jason would succumb to his illness in early 2025 – see the In Memoriam section below for more details.)

Kidd and Harry Youren (Seasons 8–12)

Brothers Kidd and Harry Youren joined Mountain Men in Season 8 and were featured through Season 12. Hailing from Idaho, the Youren brothers are professional cattle ranchers and hunters who grew up in a family tradition of living off the land. On the show, Kidd and Harry worked as a team managing a large cattle operation in Idaho’s rugged Sawtooth Wilderness, while also guiding elk hunts and predator control in the backcountry. They brought a bit of the classic cowboy flair to Mountain Men, often shown rounding up free-range cattle or tracking wolves and mountain lions threatening their herd. After Season 12 (2023), the Youren brothers did not return for Season 13 as the cast roster shifted. No specific reason was given publicly for their exit. It’s likely they refocused on their ranch full-time or moved on to other projects (outside of TV) related to their outdoor lifestyle. The Yourens’ four-season run added a dynamic sibling element to the show and gave viewers insight into ranching life in modern Idaho. Their departure after Season 12 coincided with the introduction of new cast members in Season 13, suggesting a routine refreshing of the cast lineup.

Other Notable Former Cast Members:

Charlie Tucker (Seasons 2–3) – A fur trapper and logger from Maine’s Great North Woods, Charlie appeared in the early seasons showcasing traditional trapping methods in the Northeast. He left after Season 3, presumably returning to his logging business and private life in Maine once his short term on the show concluded.

George Michaud (Season 2) – A veteran fur trapper from Idaho, George was featured in Season 2 living in a tipi camp along the Snake River and Teton Range. After that season, he did not reappear – his stint was brief, and he likely resumed his trapping life away from cameras.

Kyle Bell (Seasons 3–4) – A big-game hunter and outfitter from New Mexico, Kyle ran a 45,000-acre hunting ranch in Cimarron Valley alongside his young son Ben. The father-son duo left the show after Season 4; Kyle has since kept a low profile, focusing on raising his son and managing their land in New Mexico.

Brent Jameson (Season 6) – Brent’s appearance was limited to Season 6, where he joined Marty Meierotto on a few Alaskan adventures. He was a friend helping Marty, rather than a long-term cast addition, and he did not return in later seasons once Marty’s storyline shifted.

Josh Kirk (Seasons 9–11) – A ranch manager and bison hunter from Wyoming’s Wind River Range, Josh was introduced in Season 9 living with his wife Bonnie and daughter on a remote ranch. He focused on raising yak and protecting his herd from predators. Josh exited after Season 11, with no drama noted – likely returning full-time to his ranch duties in Wyoming.

Martha Tansy (Seasons 10–11) – An Alaskan hunter and off-road racer, Martha was one of the few female stars on Mountain Men. She balanced subsistence hunting with raising her daughter in Alaska. Martha left after Season 11; she has since continued her subsistence lifestyle privately and remains an inspirational figure for women in the outdoors.

Aron and Jennifer Toland (Season 12) – This husband-and-wife homesteading team appeared only in Season 12. They were based in the mountains of Arkansas and showcased building a remote homestead and living primitively for that season. After Season 12, the Tolands did not return, presumably choosing to continue their off-grid journey away from the cameras.

Ray Livingston (Season 12) – A survival expert and former search-and-rescue operative from Oregon, Ray joined in Season 12 and was known for his appearance on another survival show (Alone). He spent that season demonstrating survival skills in the Pacific Northwest. Ray’s time on Mountain Men was short-lived; he departed after one season (Season 12) to pursue other opportunities, including motivational speaking and outdoor education.

Each of these former cast members contributed to the rich tapestry of Mountain Men during their tenure. While some left due to age or health, and others simply moved on after fulfilling their part of the story, all of them gave viewers a glimpse into unique ways of life. The show has continued to evolve with new faces, but long-time fans often remember the departed cast fondly and appreciate the chapters they represent in the series’ history.

In Memoriam: Mountain Men Cast Members Who Have Passed Away

Tragically, a few members of the extended Mountain Men family have passed away over the years. We take a moment to honor their memory and legacy on the show:

Preston Roberts (1957–2017)

Although not a main cast member, Preston Roberts was a close friend and partner to Eustace Conway and became a familiar face to Mountain Men viewers. A skilled woodsman and educator, Preston frequently appeared alongside Eustace in North Carolina, helping with Turtle Island projects and sharing his knowledge of traditional living. Known for his warm personality and dedication to teaching, Preston’s presence added depth to Eustace’s storyline. Sadly, Preston Roberts died from complications due to cancer at age 60 on July 24, 2017. His passing was a heavy blow to Eustace and the Mountain Men community. The show paid tribute to Preston in subsequent episodes, and Eustace continued some projects (like building a sawmill) in Preston’s honor. Preston’s legacy lives on through the many people he taught and inspired to live closer to the land.

Jason Hawk (1975–2025)

Former cast member Jason Hawk passed away on January 28, 2025 at the age of 49, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Jason was a part of Mountain Men for four seasons (2016–2021) and was beloved for his blacksmithing talent and perseverance in the Ozarks. Together with his family, he demonstrated how to blend primitive skills with raising children in a remote setting. Jason’s diagnosis (revealed after he left the show) shocked and saddened fans, many of whom had followed his post-Mountain Men updates. Despite aggressive treatment, Jason’s illness eventually spread (affecting his lungs, liver, lymph nodes, and abdomen). He spent his final months surrounded by family at his Arkansas home. In a heartfelt obituary, his wife Mary described Jason as a devoted husband, father, and craftsman who “lived much of his life forging blades, teaching primitive skills, and raising his family in the wilderness”. Jason Hawk’s resilience and positive spirit, as seen on the show and in life, left a lasting impact. The Mountain Men community mourns his loss deeply, and he is remembered as a true mountain man whose legacy of strength and self-reliance lives on.

Respect and Remembrance: The passing of these individuals has been met with an outpouring of support from fans and cast members alike. Mountain Men has occasionally featured on-screen tributes – for example, dedicating episodes to Preston Roberts’ memory – showing how integral they were to the show’s heart. The spirit of the series lies in celebrating lives lived boldly and independently. Both Preston and Jason exemplified these qualities, and they will forever remain part of the Mountain Men story.

From the current brave souls braving the wild in Season 13 to the former cast members who moved on (and the beloved friends we’ve lost), the cast of Mountain Men represents a diverse tapestry of contemporary American pioneers. The show’s enduring success is a testament to each cast member’s authenticity and the audience’s hunger for real stories of survival and freedom. As Mountain Men continues to evolve with new seasons, it carries forward the legacy of all its cast – past and present – who have shown viewers that the frontier spirit is alive and well in the modern age. Whether trekking through snow in Montana or running sled dogs in Alaska, these individuals remind us of the rewards and hardships of living life on one’s own terms, close to nature. And that is ultimately the enduring appeal of Mountain Men and its remarkable cast.