Living off the grid in the Alaskan wilderness has captivated audiences, and for eight seasons, Marty Meierotto, the quintessential Alaska trapper, brought the rugged reality to the forefront in the History Channel’s “Mountain Men.” Unlike many reality TV shows, Marty’s authenticity as a true mountain man resonated with viewers.
Marty’s path to becoming a mountain man started in Northern Wisconsin, where his father introduced him to trapping at the young age of seven. The excitement of tracking wild animals and the challenge of living in harmony with nature ignited Marty’s lifelong passion for trapping.
In 1985, at 23, Marty and his brother Jeff embarked on a journey to Alaska, envisioning a life in the last true wilderness. However, the road to realizing his dream was tougher than expected. Financial constraints led Marty to work various jobs, from construction laborer to logger and janitor, before he could fully pursue his trapping passion.
The departure of the outdoorsman was particularly challenging for fans as he became the second original cast member to bid farewell during Season 8. Prior to Marty unveiling his departure plans, Tom Oar had already announced his retirement and relocation from Montana to Florida.
Marty candidly shared on the show that he chose to step away because he no longer wished to be trailed by cameras in the wilderness. His primary motivation was to dedicate one-on-one time to his then-13-year-old daughter, Noah, who would be assisting him with the trapline in the upcoming winter.
Reflecting on his decision, Marty expressed, “I thought a lot about it, and that’s the decision I made. It’s gonna be the best for her and family time and all that.” He continued, “I’ve been doing this my whole life, and for the past eight years, I’ve had a camera on me all the time. I’m glad we got to tell a story, and I hope it’s helped people understand what it’s really like out here.”
In a contemplative addition, Marty remarked, “At the end of the day, I’m just a trapper. If you’re laying on your deathbed, you’re not going to be thinking about how much money you made or some job you had. You’re going to be thinking about what you’ve done with your life.”
Marty’s presence graced over a hundred episodes of the renowned series, with his final appearance in the fifth episode of season eight titled “Final Farewell,” aired on July 11, 2019.
The driving force behind his departure from the show was a heartfelt desire to return to full-time trapping, a decision fueled by the prospect of having his 13-year-old daughter, Noah, join him in this timeless tradition.
While Marty had previously included Noah in his trapping expeditions when she was younger, this departure marked a poignant chapter.
This time, Marty aimed to provide Noah with an unfiltered experience of learning the intricacies of trapping and embracing wilderness living without the intrusion of cameras. Marty expressed, “I’m glad we got to tell a story, and I hope it’s helped people understand what it’s really like out here,” emphasizing the importance of this decision for Noah’s sake.
The transformation in Marty’s life extended beyond his television career. After dedicating over three decades to the BLM Alaska Fire Service, he decided to retire. On July 30, 2019, during his final mission, Marty was pleasantly surprised by his wife and friends, who eagerly awaited his plane’s arrival on the Fairbanks tarmac. Amid the warm reception, Marty couldn’t help but laugh at the unexpected gathering, playfully remarking, “This is so embarrassing.
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