Alaskan Bush People is an American docudrama-style reality television series that follows the Brown family in an attempt to survive in the remote wilderness, apart from modern society. The series premiered on the Discovery Channel on May 6, 2014. Filmed on location in Alaska near Copper Center, Hoonah, and Chichagof Island,Hollander, Zaz. "Digging for the reality behind 'Alaskan Bush People' claims of gunfire," Anchorage Daily News, May 31, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2022. with later seasons filmed on location in Okanogan County, Washington, it follows the extended Brown family's life. Although purportedly a genuine reality TV show, it has been criticized for being scripted and/or fake.
In April 2019, Radar Online learned that the show was renewed for a 10th season. On November 13, the show was renewed for season 11, which premiered on December 4, 2019. Season 12 premiered on August 23, 2020. In August 2020, cast member Bear Brown posted on Instagram saying that the family's home had been destroyed in the 2020 Washington wildfires. Patriarch Billy Brown died at age 68 on February 7, 2021, after suffering a seizure. Cast member Matt Brown was reported missing on May 27, 2026; the same day the Okanogan County Sheriff's Office of Okanogan County, Washington, issued a press release about a report of an unnamed individual taking their life in shallow waters of the Okanogan River. Family members reported Matt Brown's body to be recovered from the river on May 30, 2026, and confirmed by the sheriff's office the following day.
Background The series follows the Brown family of Hoonah, Alaska, as they build lives together off the grid in Alaska.
Episodes Series overview
Season 1 (2014)
Season 2 (2015)
Season 3 (2015)
Season 4 (2015–16)
Season 5 (2016)
Season 6 (2017)
Season 7 (2017)
Season 8 (2018)
Season 9 (2019)
Season 10 (2019)
Season 11 (2019–20)
Season 12 (2020)
Season 13 (2021)
Season 14 (2022)
Specials
Family members Name Relationship Full name BirthDeath William (Billy) Brown Father Billy Bryan Brown December 3, 1952February 7, 2021 Ami Brown Mother Amora Larene Branson Brown August 28, 1963 Matt Brown Son Matthew Jeremiah Brown September 7, 1982May 27, 2026 Bam Bam Brown Son Joshua Bam Bam Brown September 18, 1984 Bear Brown Son Solomon Isaiah Freedom Brown June 10, 1987 Gabe Brown Son Gabriel Starbuck Brown December 15, 1989 Noah Brown Son Noah Darkcloud Brown July 18, 1992 Bird(y) Brown Daughter Amora Jean Snowbird Brown November 18, 1994 Rain(y) Brown Daughter Merry Christmas Kathryn Raindrop Brown November 23, 2002 Twila Byars Daughter (by Billy's first wife Brenda) Twila Wilson 1971 Rhain Alisha Brown ex-Daughter-in-law (Noah's ex-wife) Rhain Alisha Eli Brown Grandson (by Noah and wife, Rhain Alisha) Elijah Connor Brown February 26, 2019 Adam Brown Grandson (by Noah and wife, Rhain Alisha) Adam Bishop Brown October, 2021Raquell Brown Daughter-in-law (Gabe's wife) Raquell Rose Pantilla Sophie Brown Granddaughter (by Gabe and wife, Raquell) Winifred Brown Granddaughter (by Gabe and wife, Raquel) Raiven Brown ex-Daughter-in-law (Bear's ex-wife) Raiven Adams River Brown Grandson (by Bear and wife, Raiven) River Anthony Brown March 9, 2020 Cove Brown Grandson (by Bear and wife, Raiven) January, 2023
Billy has a criminal history of horse theft in 1980.El Paso County Texas District Clerk, April 14, 1980 Ami has a criminal history of welfare fraud.State of Alaska Dept of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement Division, October 12, 1993
Billy was previously married to Brenda Britt. Their daughter, Twila Byars, appeared in the episode "Growing the Wolfpack" (S05E04). It has been suggested that the couple had a second child, Brandy.
Residency issues On October 3, 2014, following an investigation by the Alaska Department of Revenue, a Juneau grand jury indicted the Browns with 60 counts of first-degree unsworn falsification regarding Permanent Fund Dividend forms for their residency and first- and second-degree theft that took place between 2009 and 2012.
Billy was charged with 24 of those counts, which occurred from 2010 to 2013 as well as for the theft of more than $13,000 in dividend money for himself and others. The charges meant that the state believed the family spent more than 180 days a year living outside of Alaska and lied about it on their applications.
On November 18, 2015, Billy and Joshua struck a plea deal for the whole family except Matt and Rain (Matt wasn't living there and didn't file and Rain was too young). They pled guilty for the rest of the family for lying on PFD forms. Billy and Joshua's punishment for stealing over $21,000 was restitution, fines and 30 days of house arrest at a Juneau hotel.
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