AX Men

Jason Rygaard races to clear a hillside in time to fill four logging trucks; Jay R Harkness fights to control the untethered Tigercat on a steep, snow-covered mountainside; Bucking Billy and his son Hogan battle a forest of hang-ups and widow-makers.

Jason Rygaard fights the weather while hauling heavy, slick trees on the steepest setting of the season; Danny Pihl and his veteran crew precisely drop 250-foot, old-growth cedars next to a group of cabins; Wade Etienne struggles to control his customized, new, track cutter: Brutus; and brothers Jay R and Brandon Harkness overload their skyline and blow out the tail-hold.

Rygaard Logging races to complete four settings and three yarder moves in a single day in an effort to stay on schedule and on budget; Frank Harkness fights for traction while driving the processor up an ice-covered logging road.

Danny Pihl relies on the experience of veteran cutters Dwayne and Chuck to take down massive old-growth trees; Craig Rygaard discovers son Jason made a catastrophic and costly miscalculation; Frank Harkness races to transport $100,000 worth of logs.

A breakdown forces Jason Rygaard to choose between his crew's safety and finishing the job. Frank Harkness is caught in a whiteout while moving the excavator on a narrow mountainside logging road. Wade Etienne finally tests his six-wheel, custom- fabricated, log-hauler and Buckin' Billy tests his son, Hogan, on a solo cutting mission 100 feet above the ground.

Rygaard Logging fights to fix a crooked skyline, crossing a deep valley on their longest road yet. Danny Pihl pushes himself physically and mentally while running his first jobsite on his own. Frank Harkness' fast work ethic proves too much for his equipment while on a steep, snow- covered mountainside and Wade Etienne doubles down on a risky plan to custom fabricate a one-of-a-kind log-hauler.

Danny Pihl gambles on horsepower to untangle a massive steel knot that's shut down the jobsite. Rygaard blows out the cobwebs as the company begins logging on their massive, new job. Wade Etienne battles rising mud, trying to get his logs off the jobsite and Buckin' Billy's forced to take down multiple trees at the same time.

Brandon Harkness fights his way up a mountainside in the 29-ton Tigercat; Mike Pihl get his 52-ton yarder lodged between trees; Wade Ettiene's "Big Mama" takes a two-inch steel sawtooth to her face; and Buckin' Billy's son Hogan loses his grip while cutting a tree 60-feet off the ground.

Mike Pihl looks for help from a logging legend; Jason Rygaard faces his biggest test as the new boss and his father Craig's future at Rygaard logging is questioned; The Harkness crew battles winter storms and vertical terrain in the Cascade Mountains; and Wade Etienne goes after valuable hardwood giants with custom machines in Indiana.

The Ax Men return, facing tougher conditions than ever before. This season, industry titans Pihl Logging and Rygaard Logging tackle some of their most challenging jobs yet, attempting to thrive in a turbulent industry. Newcomer Frank Harkness makes a name for himself, logging where no one else will, and Buckin' Billy Ray takes to the tree tops of Vancouver Island, risking his life to keep other people safe.

The battle for King of the Mountain all comes down to this. In Alaska, Papac Logging is barely holding on to their lead. With the skyline down, their chances of keeping King of the Mountain are fading fast. On the Rygaard logging site, it's going to take all three generations of Rygaards working as a team to have any chance at reclaiming the title, but the only question is can they set their differences aside? Shelby is under the gun to deliver his order on time, but he has a secret map to a possible stash of sunken logs that may be worth his time. Greg Chapman is doubling down with extra boats and men to retrieve what he hopes is a haul of legendary proportions. Down in the Mississippi Delta, after last week's disappointing visit to the mill, Gary and Eddie have one more day to save their company from sinking to the bottom of the swamp.

With only two weeks remaining in the season, the Ax Men are sprinting to the finish line. The Rygaards are back in full force with all three generations of loggers on the site, fighting to regain the King of the Mountain crown. Papac Alaska is moving on to their final section, dubbed "The Mother Lode", but will this be the ultimate test for the worn out crew? Down in Louisiana, Gary and Eddie are about to see if their gamble to try swamp logging has paid off. Just across the swamp, Shelby is trying to finish his hundred thousand board foot order, but only has a few hours left. He must call in reinforcements to come up with his plan of attack. Meanwhile, David Zitterkopf must come up with a unique plan to hit the bullseye and finish his job. Down in Florida, Greg Chapman is not ready to call it a day and is back on the hunt for the Lost Logging Train.

Hoping to fill a massive order, Shelby is racing against mother nature with a storm threatening his chances of filling the order. In Washington, Gabe deals with the aftermath of Aiden's mutiny on the job last week, which puts the burden of finishing the job on the already shorthanded crew. The Chapman crew is behind the game after they spent too much money looking for the Lost Logging Train, but a grizzly discovery could put things in perspective. Down in Wyoming, David Zitterkopf is limping to the finish line, so he is forced to call his brother for reinforcements. On the Mississippi Delta, Gary and Eddie might be late to the logging game, but they're getting to know the pressures of making money from the swamp.

Mike Papac is forced to step in as Joe and Coatsey's arguments threaten to bring the job to a halt. At Rygaard Logging, Gabe gives his son Aidan a baptism of fire in the rigging, which pushes him over the edge and raises doubts about his future in the family business. Down in Wyoming, David Zitterkopf is back to work after an injury that almost ended his season, but he pushes his body to the limit again to get back into the game. In Florida, Greg Chapman is back to logging and desperately needs to make some money, but a huge storm may have other plans for them.

The Papac Crew is moving on to the most remote and dangerous site of their season. On the St. Johns River, Greg Chapman is losing money and desperately need to score big to get back into the black. Down on the Mississippi Delta, Gary and Eddie's new venture is becoming a nightmare. In the Bayou, Shelby is under the gun to fill his hundred thousand board foot order, but time is running out for the Swampman.

Papac Alaska pushes deeper into their seven thousand acre site, while Joe and Coasty head out into the wilderness to think up a plan of attack for the next section of their massive project. Down in Washington, Aidan is slowly filling his family's cork boots which is causing the wood to get out more slowly. Rygaard Logging may be on its last legs. On the Mississippi Delta, Gary and Eddie need to pick up the pace before their venture goes belly under. Greg Chapman is forced to go back to his roots, because of a mutiny on his crew and has to pull some logs to keep his company alive, but he may have lost his touch. The Swampman gets a huge log order just in the nick of time.

Gabe Rygaard pushes his crew to the breaking point. In Mississippi, Delta Gary and Eddie blow up their business to cash in on the green gold. Shelby Stanga has a bit of fun and plays demolition derby to help keep the community safe. Down in Wyoming, David Zitterkopf could see his family empire fall to pieces with one wrong step. Greg Chapman has a mutiny underway among his crew.

On the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, Rygaard Logging is fighting to get back on track with Craig Rygaard lending a hand and some of the crew are unhappy with Craig's its my way or the highway attitude. Down in the Bayou, Shelby is rushing to build a treetop storm shelter to protect his logging camp from rising floodwaters. In Wyoming, David Zitterkopf's Son Levi is taught a crucial lesson in logging, that one wrong move could end it all. On the Mississippi Delta, two long time bayou boys, Gary Champagne and Eddie Fraisher, have given up their fishing days in order to try their luck at at hauling in the green gold.

When Craig Rygaard comes to the logging site for a surprise visit, the crew gets on their game. The Zitterkopfs face a major challenge to complete their biggest job ever and are forced to get to the root of the problem to keep the wood moving. Papac continues to battle the "Longest Yard" unit, which has a mile long sky line. Greg Chapman finds an unexpected treasure in his quest to find the Lost Log Train.

Production is ramping up with the newest generation of Rygaard on the job, however the day may take a turn for the worse with an ominous blood red sun in the sky. David Zitterkopf and his son Levi take on their biggest job yet, but with David's health scare last year, will he be able to still remain the self proclaimed alpha predator? In Alaska, Papac's new unit called "The Longest Yard" will put their crew and equipment to the ultimate test as they plan to string a mile of skyline across the mountainside. Back in Louisiana, the Swampman is on a hot streak after he delivered a sixteen thousand board foot order, but today he must finish a big job for a pint sized client. Still searching for the Legendary Lost Log Train, Greg Chapman has found two more sites to search on the St. Johns River.

With a tough start of the season for Rygaard, Gabe is forced to let his son, Aidan, step up and fill the family shoes. The Papac crew has issues of their own with an overcrowded landing where one wrong move could wipe out the Papac crew down below. In Florida, after hitting the jackpot from a double barrel log, Greg Chapman has enough cash to continue his quest in finding the Lost Log Train. Shelby Stanga is fighting his deadline to fulfill the sixteen thousand board foot order he made with his new client.

The Rygaard crew fights Mother Nature as temperatures climb and a massive forest fire is burning just over the mountain. The Papac Crew is having a hard time with what should be the easiest site of the job and Joe is still feeling the effects after his injury. When Greg Chapman pulls an extremely rare double barrel log from the St. John's River, he may have just hit the jackpot. Relying on his trusty Swamp Buggy, the Swampman tries to win over a new client.

The Ax Men are back to take on North America's deadliest job. Without his father Craig, who suffered a career ending injury last season, Gabe Rygaard struggles to keep the family operation in business. Papac Alaska travels to a remote and mountainous island to tackle one of the biggest jobs in company history. Meanwhile, Greg Chapman is on a quest to find a lost logging train, but only if he can get enough money. The Swampman may be in over his head when he takes on an impossible job for a client that has deep pockets.

After Shelby stumbles upon a rare historical artifact, he forms an alliance with Professor Sam Hyde of Southeastern Louisiana Univeristy. They realize they will be the perfect team to discover the lost history of the Swamp bringing together Professor Hyde's historical knowledge and Shelby's lifetime of experience in the bayou, scouring the deepest parts of the Swamp to hunt for lost treasures. From early Native American settlements to the Civil War Battles, the Louisiana Bayou has some key moments in history. It is now up to Shelby and Professor Hyde to uncover evidence and preserve the history of the Swamp for generations to come.

Deep in the Louisiana Bayou, Shelby Stanga is back in action on a special mission. He is not so concerned with cashing in, as his client needs quality logs to build high end furniture to raise money for a local charity. Finding the perfect logs won't be easy and pushes Shelby deeper and deeper into the gator infested Louisiana Bayou wilderness. Shelby needs to use everything he has got to survive the swamp and even each other. Whenever you make a deal with the Swamp Man, you might just get more than what you were looking for.

It all comes down to the season finale, where fame, fortune, and bragging rights are on the line. In Alaska, Papac is finishing up the toughest most dangerous section of their site, but with the crew running full throttle to finish on time, one misstep could come back to bite them. In Washington, Rygaard logging has fought tooth and nail to stay in the race, but will a faulty carriage derail their hopes of a 4th King of the Mountain Title? In Canada, Triack Resources is on the verge of winning it all, but today�s risky maneuver could send them over the edge. In Wyoming, Zitterkopf and Sons only have one acre left to clear, but one wildcard move could cost them everything. Down in Florida, the Dreadknots resurrected Logzilla to double production, but will it be enough to beat the Chapman crew? And in the Swamps of Louisiana, Shelby Stanga drives a hard bargain with his log buyer, but will his gamble pay off?

It�s the final two weeks of the season, and the competition is reaching the boiling point. In Alaska, the team gets a boost of energy as they gain two valuable hands on the landing to up production�Mike Papac and Brian �Skooby� Carter! In Washington, Gabe Rygaard has his old crew back in full force, but yet another mechanical breakdown will test their will and determination to regain the top spot. In Canada, Triack Resources has been nipping at the heels of the big boys all season, and with the crew pushing so hard to win, one lapse in judgment could have a devastating outcome. In Wyoming, David Zitterkopf lost his skidder to a freak accident last week, so this week he will attempt to build a �yarder� from scratch in order to finish his site and meet his deadline. And in Florida, the race to be number one is neck and neck. With only $75,000 left up for grabs, the Dreadknots get desperate and add a second boat to their fleet� �Logzilla�!

With only three weeks to go, the Ax Men are shifting into high gear. Down in Louisiana, Shelby realizes he may be short on wood for his log buyer, so he rounds up his troops to hunt for some last minute logs. On the high plains of Wyoming, Zitterkopf and Sons are firing on all cylinders, but when their skidder is lost to a mechanical breakdown, their season may be over. Down in Florida, with the new diver the Dreadknots added to up production, they hit on a honey hole that may put them over the top. But at Chapman logging, Greg needs to swallow his pride and Swilley gets an offer he couldn�t refuse to rejoin the crew. In Washington, Gabe and Jason leave the work to the crew as they visit their dad and check on his condition after his devastating injury. And at Triack Resources, Dave is running his crew and machines at full-throttle, but with the excessive heat and extreme dry conditions, one spark could ignite a fire-storm.

After last week's accident that nearly cost Craig his leg, Gabe Rygaard makes a call to save production and gets his top gun crew back. Up in Alaska,the Papac crew is taking a beating on their last site, and a misstep could end one logger's season. And on the high plains of Wyoming, the Zitterkopf crew is fighting to finish their site before the cold weather rolls in. But Ethan decides to go it alone and becomes reckless. Down in Louisiana, Shelby Stanga is feeling good with his logs on the landing, so he takes a break from logging to get some lunch... "Swamp Man Style". And down in Florida, the Dreadknots and Chapman continue to fight for every penny of the five-hundred thousand Dollar log order. But because Swilley quit last week, Greg Chapman now must swallow his pride and admit that he needs him back in order to finish the season strong.

A devastating injury at Rygaard shakes the crew to the core and threatens to shut down production. Down in the bayou, Shelby's jet boat is back and it's time to go hunting... for logs and hogs! Up in Canada, Triack is under the gun to finish their site before their permit expires and the crew pushes things a little too far.

The race for logs is heating up as Papac heads onto their most daunting site yet. Loggers fall through ten-foot holes in the brush and high stumps smash as the crew pulls some of the biggest, most dangerous turns of the season. At Rygaard, the crew attempts to string a road over a steep draw using a device called a knife�but Jeremy can�t seem to figure it out, inciting Gabe�s rage. At Zitterkopf, Ethan is out to prove that he�s a valuable member of the crew, but after a near-miss while falling trees, he questions his place on the team. Up in Canada, Dave�s son Cory shows up to help out and his first job� just turning a truck around�puts his brother in mortal danger. And down in the swamp, Shelby and his niece Stephanie run into Shelby�s uncle Bobby on Lake Ponchartrain, who has some inside scoop on where to find some massive logs�but they may be too big for the Go-Devil to pull!

The battle for King of The Mountain rages on between the big boys of the Pacific Northwest. In Washington, the Rygaard crew has a problem with getting the wood to the mill, so Gabe�s bringing in a trucking ace to get the job done. While up in Alaska, Papac has to deal with a dangerous unpredictable downhill site and mother nature isn�t helping make it any easier. Down in the bayou, Shelby�s got his jetboat back and has enlisted a couple of assistants to pull big wood for his log buyer. Down on the St. Johns River in Central Florida, the Chapman crew is in a tight battle with the Dreadknots. But today they�ll have deal with their nemesis who�s back to poaching logs. And in Wyoming, the Zitterkopf crew is still going strong but in order to stay on schedule, it�s all hands on deck as David gambles by putting Ethan in the skidder for the first time.

Shelby gets his jetboat back, and it now has a new five hundred horsepower engine that will help him get the job done. Up in Washington, Rygaard is still struggling, and with no other options, Gabe is forced to promote his inexperienced crew, which could spell disaster. And in Canada, Dave McRae and Triack Resources step up to the plate and bring in a beast of a machine to get the wood out. Down in the high plains of Wyoming, the Zitterkopfs are without their skidder, but David comes up with a plan to save the day and keep delivering the much needed wood to the mill. And down in Florida, Greg Chapman's decision to leave the logging in the hands of his crew, could cost him more than just productivity.

Shelby Stanga is still without his jet boat, but fortunately he has his trusty assistant Davi and his Go-Devil to pick up the slack. On Alaska's Kupreanof Island, the Papac crew is fighting to remain atop the King of the Mountain leaderboard, but today they're moving to the toughest section on their site. In the remote mountains of western Canada, the Triack team is hanging with the big boys, and with Kellie returning to work after recovering from an injury, it's all hands on deck. Down in Florida, Chapman logging has taken the lead in their competition with the Dreadknots and their slice of the pie keeps getting bigger. However, with a full crew and determined attitude, the Dreadknots refuse to go down without a fight. And in the high plains of Wyoming, David Zitterkopf is up early to conquer the task at hand, but with the rain coming down, he finds his production stuck in the mud.

Ax Men has reached the midway point of the season, and the pressure to finish strong is higher then ever. In the Pacific Northwest, Rygaard logging has begun to claw its way back up the log count thanks to DJ Jeremiah, but today� he�s a no show. In Alaska, their season-long lead is slipping away, and if they don�t fill the seat in the yarder soon, they may not recover. Deep in the Louisiana Bayou, Shelby Stanga is still without his Jetboat, but with help from his niece and his trusty swamp buggy, his hunt for valuable sinker cypress continues. Up in the hills of Wyoming, Zitterkopf and Sons Logging rolls the dice and brings in a new hand to increase production, but this gamble may be a bust! And in Canada, Triack Resources attempt to haul logs out of a near impossible predicament.

Down in the swamps of Louisiana, Shelby Stanga is trying to upgrade his logging empire, so he takes a risk and tries out some new equipment. In the Pacific Northwest, Rygaard has been struggling all season, but wildcard DJ Jeremiah just may provide the spark they've been missing. In British Columbia, Triack's production is slowing down due to steep terrain and narrow logging roads. And in the Southeast, the Dreadknots have fallen behind Chapman and are feeling the heat, so today they'll travel deep into the Withlacoochee River in search of the sunken treasure. And on the high plains of Wyoming, David Zitterkopf's log buyer has a unique and special order�one that won't be easy to fill.

In the Louisiana Bayou, Shelby Stanga�s jet boat is in desperate need of repair and he needs to find logs to buy a new engine. At Rygaard Logging in Washington, Gabe takes a gamble and hires a wild card veteran logger. And up in Alaska, the Papac team is fighting the elements mother nature is throwing their way, and it could be too much for them to handle. Down in Florida, it�s do or die with the Chapman crew and the stubborn Gump Log. Meanwhile in the Wyoming wilderness at Zitterkopf logging, their fearless leader returns and it�s all hands on deck.

In Washington, Rygaard�s remaining veterans go old school to keep the team on track. Deep in the Bayou, Shelby and Bob discover a valuable sinker cypress, but reeling it in is easier said then done. In the high plains of Wyoming, the Zitterkopf crew tries to tackle a dangerous tangle of logs known as �the teepee of death.� In Alaska, the Papac crew takes on �shotgun logging,� one of the most dangerous forms of logging in the industry. In Florida, the Dreadknots get on a hot streak, while on the Saint Johns River, the Chapman crew�s season could go up in smoke as an engine overheats. In British Columbia, the Triack crew tries to fight through the hottest temperatures of the season.

Deep in the Bayou, Shelby hits Lake Ponchartrain with Belinda and Bob to retrieve a massive log he marked years ago. In Florida, it�s round two between Chapman and the legendary Gump log. In Washington, things go from bad to worse for the bare bones Rygaard crew. On Alaska�s Kupreanof Island, Papac risks it all by downhill logging. In British Columbia, the Triack crew tackles the steepest section of the Britannia site. And in Wyoming, the Zitterkopf sons try to keep production moving while their leader, father David, is at the hospital.

In Louisiana, Shelby and his assistant Bob head out looking for logs on his newly repaired two-ton swamp buggy. In Central Florida, the Chapman crew goes to battle against the legendary �Gump� log � the biggest challenge of their career. In Washington, Rygaard fights to stay in the load count race, but their equipment doesn�t cooperate. In Alaska, Joe�s forced to take over as Papac�s yarder operator. North of the border in Canada, Triack Resources races to get out as many loads as they can before an upcoming storm threatens to shut down their operation. And in Wyoming, David Zitterkopf is known as the workhorse, but an illness may have him down for the count.

In Louisiana, Shelby looks to repair his custom made two-ton swamp buggy. In Alaska, Coatsy returns to the Papac worksite. In the Pacific Northwest, the Rygaard crew must climb over a hundred feet in the air to top a new lift tree. In Wyoming, David Zitterkopf�s attempt at swinging between the trees could end in disaster. In Florida, with Katelyn back and the half-million dollar order on the line, the Dreadknots go night logging. And up in Canada, an injury to a key crew member leaves Triack stuck behind the eight ball.

Shelby the Swampman uses an airboat to search for a treasure trove of century old logs in a legendary lost canal. In Washington, Rygaard tries to haul out the biggest log on their site�a mammoth six-ton cypress. In the Wyoming wilderness, while David Zitterkopf delivers the first load of logs to the mill, his sons struggle to hold down the fort. In Alaska, Adrianne steps up and takes a shot at working on the landing for the Papac crew. In British Columbia, the most rugged section of the Britannia site puts Triack to the test. And in Florida, the Dreadknots are firing on all cylinders, but an accident late in the day could be a game changer.

It�s week three, and the loggers are feeling the pressure to produce. In Alaska, Coatsy�s still out of commission, so Papac institutes an extremely dangerous process called Shotgun Logging. Over in Wyoming, the Zitterkopf men are taking the Bear Ranch site by storm. At Rygaard, the team has doubled the yarders to up production, but they�ve also doubled their trouble by crowding an already tight landing. Up in Canada, Triack Resources are on a roll using a logging method called �chucking�, but getting the loads out is proving a major challenge. And in Florida, poor communication between the Chapman crew nearly costs a diver�s life.

It's only the second week into the logging season, but it seems like the teams could already use a break. In Alaska, the Papac team fights to find a replacement to fill the shoes of injured Coatsy. On Washington's Olympic Peninsula, Gabe Rygaard and his crew are scrambling to make up for their slow start by bringing in a second yarder. In Wyoming, David Zitterkopf and Sons keep their chainsaws humming as they tackle their 100 acre site, but run into a snag with the landowners fence. In Canada, Triack Resources is struggling to get their wood off the mountain and delivered to the mill. And down in Florida, the Dreadknots are pulling lots of wood, but it's not the right kind the log buyer's looking for.

The crews of Ax Men are back and the race for green gold is on! In Washington, Rygaard pushes deep into their roughest terrain yet in an effort to recapture the title. In Alaska, Papac�s dreams of a repeat are shattered when Coatsy�s seriously injured. In Canada, a new contender steps into the ring, taking on a daunting site and proving they�re the special forces of the industry. Down in Florida, the Dreadknots and Chapman battle over a half-million dollar log order. And in Wyoming, old school loggers Zitterkopf & Sons tackle a 100 acre-site� all by hand.

In the season finale, battles and fortunes are all on the line. On Alaska's Kupreanof Island, a chainsaw accident leaves the crew short-handed on the last and most dangerous site of the season. In Washington, Gabe Rygaard's ferocious push to move the final loads proves too dangerous when Jason flips a loaded trailer. In the Bayou, it's Shelby's big day as he heads to the mill to find out if he's successfully filled his 200,000 board foot order. And down on Florida's St. Johns River, Greg's mistake could cost his crew a victory over the Dreadknots when a broken propeller leaves them dead in the water.

As the loggers close in on the end of the season, one log could be the difference between winning and losing, reeling in fortunes or coming up short. In Louisiana, Shelby is only a log away from completing his big order when a boat crash stops him in his tracks. Up north, Gabe Rygaard unleashes fury on his own crew when he catches them doing a favor for the Oakes team. On Alaska's Kupreanof Island, Joe employs a dangerous strategy to make up for their slow yarder engineer. On Florida's St. Johns River, the Chapman crew closes in on the Dreadknots' lead. And a mistake forces the Ax Cut crew to log into the night, desperately trying to finish up their order.

In Washington, frustration boils over as Rygaard and Oakes are forced to share the same landing. Down in the bayou, Shelby gets in hot water with the law over a contested log. Up in Alaska, Joe and Coatsy struggle to get the Papac crew back on track. In Florida, the Dreadknots have a run-in with fish and wildlife while the chapman crew works through the night to catch up in the log count. And on the Pearl River, the Ax Cut team races against a fast moving tropical storm.

In Washington, Rygaard's quest for king of the mountain hits the skids when the crew nearly topples the yarder. Down the road, the Oakes crew capitalizes on their sidelined rivals and one team member learns first hand a drastic remedy for a toothache in the brush. In the Bayou, while trying to bring in a land-locked monster cypress, Shelby pushes his boat to the limit. On Alaska's Kupreanof Island, Joe returns, determined to whip the crew back into shape. And down in Florida, Chapman races against a lightning storm to find river gold, while the Dreadknots conspire with a Chapman enemy to secure their lead.

In the Bayou, Shelby and his new hand hit pay dirt with one of the biggest logs of the season. In Alaska, Coatsy's misstep in the yarder puts the crew in danger. Down in Florida, the Dreadknots reunite and take the fight directly to Chapman's home turf. And in the pacific northwest, tensions rise and hard hats roll when Rygaard and Oakes are forced to share the same landing.

In Washington, a battle erupts when Oakes is accused of stealing Rygaard's logs. In Alaska, tensions soar as a runaway log nearly wipes out the crew. In the Bayou, Shelby brings out his puppy to help him with a special assignment. Down in Florida, when Swilley gets snagged underwater, it's up to Jeter to save him. And in Louisiana, Ax Cut Lumber uses a homemade invention to float a monster log home.

In the Bayou, Shelby teaches his new puppy how to hunt for wood. On Snag Hill, the Rygaard crew breaks out their biggest weapon, but the increased production leads to total chaos. In Alaska, the Papac team struggles as Coatsy tries his hand in the yarder. Down south, Chapman's night logging expedition clashes head on with a band of alligators. And the end of a legend turns the Dreadknots season upside down.

On Snag Hill, the war between Rygaard and Oakes explodes after Kelly demolishes a Rygaard pick-up truck. At Papac's site, tensions between Coatsy and Joe also reach a fever pitch as Coatsy makes a drastic decision regarding Joe's employment. Down in Florida, the Chapman crew may have found the treasure of a lifetime. On the other side of the Sunshine State, with Logzilla still stalling, The Kraken steals Clint's boat. And in the Bayou, Shelby's spin in his new ATV ends in disaster.

Big noise and big toys turn the season upside down. In Alaska, a misstep by Joe cripples the yarder for Papac. In Washington, Gabe Rygaard pulls out a massive feller buncher�one of the largest machines in the logging industry. Down in Florida, the skies open up on the Dreadknots and Chapman crews as they try to make it through a dangerous lightning storm.

In the Bayou, Shelby goes on the hunt for the thief who stole his boat. Up north in Washington, the battle between rivals explodes as Rygaard refuses to allow Oakes to pass through their landing. Down in Florida, Clint's boat nearly goes up in smoke. And Swilley pulls up a prize from the bottom of the lake, the Chapman crew will never forget.

It's half way through the season and time to go old school. Down in the Bayou, Shelby's wild ride could end his season early. In the Pacific Northwest, Rygaard and Oakes compete in a no-holds barred turf war. Up in Alaska, an accident sidelines one of the Papac crew. And in Florida, Logzilla continues to derail Kraken.

In the bayou, Shelby goes diving in gator infested waters. Up north, rivals Rygaard and Oakes square off on a one-way road and a Rygaard driver is nearly killed when his truck flips. Down in Florida, the Dreadknots go their separate ways as Kraken and Katelyn set sail with their own boat. And in Alaska, the hottest day of the season gets even hotter for the Papac crew when a fire breaks out on the mountain.

The Rygaard family is back on the mountain and firing on all cylinders, until new yarder team Oakes Logging crashes onto the site, challenging Gabe face-to-face for the title of King of the Mountain. Down in the swamp, Shelby and Mike use redneck ingenuity to pull a huge and rare heart-pine log. In Alaska, the Papac team is down a yarder engineer, leaving them no choice but to make reckless Joe the new operator in order to stay in the race. In Florida, the Dreadknots newest diver Erin is finally getting the hang of river logging, but Kraken's fear of another diver taking his place causes a rift with Captain Clint. Meanwhile, the Chapman team gets revenge on a suspected log poacher.

In Washington, Gabe Rygaard is in over his head when a logging legend bails him out of trouble and gets him back in the race for King Of the Mountain. Down in Louisiana, Shelby and old friend Mike Chatellier use brute force to pull two of the biggest logs they have ever seen. With the Kraken injured, the Dreadknots bring in a new diver to brave the muddy waters of the Withlacoochee, but she soon finds out river logging isn't easy. Down on the Saint John's River, the Chapman team is pulling ahead, but a log poacher needs to be caught and Jeter is just the guy to do it.

In Cajun country, Shelby has found a huge cash of logs, but to get it, he has to navigate the paddle barge through a narrow canal surrounded by private homes and docks. On the Olympic Peninsula, Gabe goes it alone and risks his own life trying to do too much. Down in Florida, the competition is heating up as the Chapman team discovers someone is poaching their logs and the Dreadknots suffer a crippling injury when Kraken gets his hand caught in a winch. Up in Alaska, Joe is sent to teach new logger Adrienne while topping a tree.

The competition is heating up a quarter of the way through the season. Down in the Bayou, Shelby brings in a new assistant, but the logging gets put on hold when the Swamp Man finds that all his equipment has been sabotaged. In the Pacific Northwest, Joe tries to muscle his way through his mistakes but his shortcuts land him in hot water with the boss. In Washington, Gabe's greenhorns aren't living up their potential, and things get heated when Jason oversteps his boundaries and takes matters into his own hands. In Florida, the Dreadknots have their hands full with some surprise help on the boat, while Swilley fights for his place on the boat with the Chapman crew.

It's week four and the season is already running off the rails. On the Olympic Peninsula, Gabe runs a hung-over greenhorn into the ground but Jason disagrees with Gabe's management style. In the swamp, Belinda is too hurt to log so she's brought in a new assistant who almost drowns Shelby's dream of rebuilding his logging empire. Up in Alaska, Mike Papac decides to shake things up and brings in a long time family friend to help in the rigging. The battle for river supremacy rages on in Florida as the Chapman team fights amongst themselves and the Dreadknots divide to conquer.

It's week three and the surprises keep on coming. In Washington, Gabe's king of the mountain title is in the hands of a novice crew, until he gets some help from an unlikely family member. Down in the swamp, Shelby's log buyer stops by for a surprise visit and things aren't looking good for the Swamp Man. On the Withlacoochee, the Kraken and Katelyn find that logging without Capitan Clint might not be as easy as they thought. At Chapman the newest member of the team fights for his life.

The season is just beginning, and already, things are off to a rough start. At Rygaard, worried about his son's rocky start, Craig stops by and gets an unwelcome surprise of his own. In Alaska, Joe Linderborg and Mike Coatsy are taking two new greenhorns to school but it's looking like one of them might drop out. In the swamp, Shelby is loosing his assistant, his dog, his jet boat and his mind. In Florida, both Dreadknots and Chapman river teams are fighting just to stay afloat.

An all-new season of Ax Men explodes on to the scene. Swamp Man Shelby Stanga continues his search for the million-dollar log raft but a rough first day and a new opportunity change his mission. In Florida, the Dreadknots have a new deckhand and a new enemy. While in the northwest, last year's King of the Mountain winner Gabe Rygaard returns but this year he's defending his title with a whole new crew and without his dad. While in Alaska, the boys of Papac are back and ready to reclaim the title, but they face a site so treacherous it's considered to be unloggable.

In the dramatic Ax Men season conclusion, Shelby hits the lake with a squad of assistants to have one last confrontation with Richard. In Florida, the Dreadknots and S&S struggle to pull enough logs to help out their ailing leader, Jimmy. In Canada, Gord's whip cracking doesn't help as their final site offers lethal challenges. And in Washington, Craig Rygaard and the crew push to finish on time, and Gabe has a surprise for his father on his last day as a logger.

In Florida, Brad and Swilley fight against a massive log�and lose. Then, when they get back to the landing, they are greeted by a very unexpected guest. The Swamp Man goes gar fishing with his cousin Cheyenne and they find what could be the log raft! At Rygaard, a tight landing is making everyone nervous. But when a loose log tumbles, Craig's reaction takes everyone by surprise. And at Lemare, a terrifying road scares everyone away.

In Louisiana, after Shelby and DaVi have an argument, Shelby makes it up to DaVi by giving him a very unusual gift. In Washington, Gabe Rygaard rushes his crew to finish the site, which leads to careless and dangerous decisions. In Montana, Joe and Coatsy get a job�in Alaska�and have no way to get back. And in Florida, Brad decides to take a risk and dives into a river cave looking for logs, but gets trapped and has to be rescued by his enemies.

Shelby is reunited with his old assistant DaVi and together, they go on a mission to help the people of New Orleans. In Oregon, the Big Gun crew is scrambling to finish up the Grindstone site, but a yarder malfunction leads to near-catastrophe. In Canada, the Lemare company is finally pulling the big wood. But site boss Gord gets greedy and loses a load of logs in a dramatic way. And at Rygaard, the new site is proving challenging. And when Craig loses his cool it pushes him to make a shocking decision.

In the Swamp, Shelby tries out a new assistant�and meets his match. In Florida, Brad has an MMA title fight�and wins himself a new assistant. In Canada, a new, inexperienced hook tender causes major chaos. In Oregon, the entire Big Gun crew heads out to cut the next road�in high winds. And at Rygaard, Craig drops a bomb.

Shelby finds a legendary old grave site and the crew has an accident. Big Gun has yet another yarder accident and Levi decides to make some major crew changes. Brad and Swilley are the victims of a prank and they lose yet another assistant. Joe and Coatsy are having a tough time keeping steady work, while at Rygaard, Craig and Gabe attempt to bury the hatchet, and Dave is forced to eat some humble pie.

In the Bayou, Shelby goes on a treasure-hunting mission, and ends up in a race against Belinda. At Big Gun Logging, Jesse's lesson on the whistles almost takes Luke out. On the river, S&S continues to struggle, while the Dreadknots' lucky charm gets destroyed. And at Rygaard, Dave's arrival turns the site upside-down.

At Rygaard, Gabe is desperate to fill out his shorthanded crew�and brings in someone very unexpected. In Florida, S&S' bad luck streak continues when they wreck their boat and get into a fight with the Dreadknots. Joe and Coatsy start roadbuilding�to catastrophic results, and then come up with a new plan to start their own company. And The Swamp Man tries to assist his neighbors and relatives in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac.

In Louisiana, the Swamp Man attempts a daring rescue of his aging relatives from the rising storm waters. In Wisconsin, the Woodchucks don't make their deadline and their company hangs in the balance. S&S finally hits a honey hole with the help of Swilley's "brother from another mother." And In Canada, Hook tender Mike has finally had enough and calls it quits on Lemare.

When Hurricane Isaac hits the bayou, Shelby Stanga must race to save his logging empire and neighbors. At Rygaard, a string of crew meltdowns sends the site into chaos. In Florida, Brad and Swilley struggle to get S&S back in the Log-Off after losing their captain. In Canada, Lemare faces an equipment breakdown that could end their whole season, and in Wisconsin, a major accident at the Woodchucks causes the site boss to quit.

In the swamp, Shelby puts his new toys to work and discovers a huge payday right in his own backyard. At Rygaard, runaway logs send Craig over the edge, while in Montana, Joe and Coatsy strike out on their own. In Wisconsin, the Woodchucks battle a crumbling wall and in Florida, Jimmy Smith says goodbye.

In Florida, the Dreadknots come face-to-face with one of the most fearsome creatures in the river, while over in the swamp, Shelby and Donna are putting his new paddle barge to work. In Washington, DJ returns to work but faces another battle with Craig. And in Wisconsin, the Woodchucks are pushing hard to meet their deadline, but dangerous shortcuts could bring the whole operation down.

As the season gets more competitive by the week, it takes more than ever to stay on top. In Louisiana, Shelby is building his new empire one big toy at a time. In Florida, the men of S&S Aqua Logging deal with last week s fallout. In Washington, DJ suffers an injury that could take him out of the season, and from the Midwest comes a whole new kind of logging.

Tempers are on the rise across logging country, and some are pushed to their breaking point. At Rygaard, Gabe faces a crew mutiny. At Lemare, the guys put their chaser to the test logging on a rock slide. In the swamp, Shelby and Belinda take to the open road to bring home a money log, and in Florida, James Smith lashes out against his own crew.

In Louisiana, the Swamp Man targets a money log, but it s in dangerous territory. At Rygaard, DJ gets put on notice, while in Florida, Brad and Swilley struggle to keep S&S from running off the rails. And from Canada, a new company is about to give them all a run for their money.

Tempers have reached a fever pitch in logging country. At Rygaard, three years of tension between Craig and DJ comes to a head. In the swamp, the Swamp Man is on a special mission for wife Donna. At Papac, the end of the North Thorn site may mean the end of their season. And in Florida, the Dreadknots are in the line of fire, while Jimmy Smith takes a final ride down the river.

As the season picks up speed, not everyone can keep up with the pace. At Rygaard, odd man out DJ Jeremiah is pushed to his breaking point. In Alaska, Coatsy boots Joe Linderborg from his seat in the yarder, but the consequences could prove deadly. In Florida, The Dreadknots find themselves on the wrong end of a falling log, and in the swamp, Shelby and his assistants fight to claim the biggest Cypress of the season.

It s week three and logging country is falling apart. In the swamp, Shelby must rely on niece Stephanie and cousin Belinda to do his dirty work. At Rygaard, the rigging guys formulate a plan to get rid of DJ. In Alaska, wild man Joe Linderborg takes it out on a choker-setter, and in Florida, James must cope with his dad s health issues while also leading his crew.

The season has only just begun, and already, things are off to a rough start. In Alaska, Joe Linderborg is back in the yarder seat and the whole crew is paying the price. At Rygaard, DJ comes face-to-face with Craig after two years and the reunion isn t a happy one. In the swamp, Shelby and niece Stephanie stumble into a wasp s nest, and in Florida, S&S realizes they aren t alone on the Withlacoochee River.

An all-new season of Ax Men starts with a bang. Swamp Man Shelby Stanga is in search of a million-dollar payday, but nemesis Richard is hot on his trail. In Florida, S&S Aqua Logging gets a new captain, but a rocky first day signals trouble on the horizon. In the northwest, reigning King of the Mountain Rygaard Logging returns with a surprising new addition, and in Alaska, the rowdy boys of Papac Alaska begin another season battling the toughest terrain in the country.

It's the nail-biting conclusion of the race to be crowned King of the Mountain. While Papac battles to bring their yarder operator back from the brink, Craig Rygaard forces Gabe to choose between him and Dave. At Big Gun, Levi drops a bomb, while in the swamps of Louisiana, Shelby's in a desperate race to find swamp gold. And in Florida, the Great Suwannee River Log-Off comes to a close, but when Jimmy doesn't like the results, he takes matters into his own hands.

From Alaska to Florida, one of the toughest seasons on record is almost over. At Papac, pushing hard pushes Joe to his breaking point, while at Rygaard, Dave has officially worn out his welcome. On the Suwannee, the teams are fighting to win the final round of the Log-Off, but a season's worth of bad blood between Jimmy and James comes to a head. In Louisiana, the Swamp Man gambles on a helicopter to search for a multi-million dollar sunken log raft.

With three weeks to go, the final race to be King of the Mountain is in full swing. In the swamp, Shelby's chasing buried gold in Lake Ponchartrain. In Florida, a surprising end to the log-off forces sudden death. At Big Gun, a greenhorn's mistake could cost them the season's profits. And in Montana and New Hampshire, the ox loggers and cowboys of Siderius are fighting to finish their seasons strong.

While on a night mission, Shelby finds something that could lead to a bigger payday than he's ever seen. In Washington, Craig and Wayne plot a prank to teach Dave a lesson. In New Hampshire, personality differences between the ox loggers cause walk-offs on both sides. And on the Suwannee, James returns to S&S but steers he and Brad right into danger.

At Rygaard, Gabe's two yarder sides are reunited, but the infighting that's plagued them all year is worse than ever. In Florida, the alliance between Team Buck and James Smith comes to a bitter end. At Papac, Joe's hard-yarding style sends the rigging crew running for cover. In the swamp, Shelby Stanga won't stop until he gets his revenge. And in New Hampshire, two new teams of ox loggers enter the race.

As the season enters the homestretch, everyone is risking more to stay on top. Jimmy Smith braves the depths of the Suwannee River for the first time in three years, but his fears may get the better of him. In the swamp, Shelby also takes on an old enemy--the log that flipped his winch last season. In Montana, the boys of Siderius are playing fast and loose, while at Rygaard, the crew pushes their yarder to the brink of disaster.

From Alaska to the bayou, the hits are coming fast and hard. At Rygaard, a crew shakeup leaves everyone scrambling. In Florida, the tides are turning as S&S suffers a blow while Buck & Swilley get unexpected help from James. In Alaska, Papac takes to the open seas for a fishing trip, while, Big Gun must bring in a new yarder operator to have a chance at conquering their dangerous downhill site. And in the swamp, an accident may cost Shelby another one of his assistants.

On the mountain, Gabe's two-yarder plan goes further off track when one crew member defects to the other team. Big Gun races their tightest deadline yet, while in Alaska, Joe and the new guy get into it. On the river, an accident could take S&S out of the Log-Off for good, and in the swamp, Shelby's trusty assistant Willy goes missing.

In the swamp, the battle between Shelby Stanga and his nemesis Richard comes to a head. On the river, Buck and Swilley's boat goes boom. At Big Gun, one of their greenhorns shows his dark side. And at Papac, Joe and Coatsy bury the hatchet.

As the season moves on, everyone's going to greater lengths to stay on top. At Papac, an accident sends one man over the edge of the landing. In horse country, the loggers take to new heights in order to get the final tree of the job on the ground. At Siderius, greenhorn Jesse Kelleher is in need of redemption. And in the bayou, the swamp man gets into a shootout with another logger who's after Shelby's profits.

The season hits the halfway mark, and everyone is upping his game. In the swamp, Shelby and cousin Belinda are under the gun to find a huge Cypress. In Florida, S&S hires a new diver but says goodbye to an old one. In Montana, the cowboys of Siderius must break in their greenhorn without breaking him for good. And at Rygaard, two yarders bring in twice the wood and twice the trouble.

After years of infighting, Jimmy and James Smith seek the help of a professional anger management counselor. Gabe Rygaard unveils a bold new plan to run two yarders on the same site. In Oregon, one of Big Gun's greenhorns faces the end of the line. In the swamp, Shelby takes on an assistant who puts him in his place. And in the mountains of Virginia, a new crew of horse loggers is out to show the world that they can run with the big boys.

When a back injury puts Danny out of action on Big Gun's new job, Levi starts trying out two greenhorns, Josh and Ryan; turns of massive logs bring a widow maker down on the Papac camera crew and threaten to rip out the new tail hold; Shelby and another cousin fight bumblebees and underwater wildlife in search of valuable timber for Swamp Man's latest order; after Rygaard's heavy-duty carriage breaks loose and hurtles all the way down the skyline, Gabe gets in an argument with Craig and storms off the site; Jimmy kicks James off the S&S boat again and works alone while dodging speedboating locals; as Uncle Buck chases down the pieces of a 300-year-old sunken raft, Swilley gets pinned at the bottom of the Suwannee.

Shelby Stanga takes his newest assistant loggin' and froggin'. In Montana, young Siderius cutter Travis earns his stripes when he's forced into a deadly situation. The father and son team of S&S hits bottom, then hits gold. In Washington, a close call puts an end to the infighting, and at Papac, Joe lets loose.

It's a fight to the death between Shelby Stanga and a massive standing tree. At Rygaard, the bad blood between Dave and Fernando boils over. In Alaska, Papac's men are on the run when two machines get tangled up while in Florida, Buck and Swilley raise the stakes. And in Montana, the newcomers from Siderius Logging are gambling on life and limb.

Start-up outfit Big Gun Logging hits a snag as their deadline approaches. In Florida, Buck & Swilley make a run for the lead in the Log-Off while Jimmy deals with a crew crisis. Shelby Stanga enlists the help of a voodoo team to get his cousin's ghost under wraps. In Washington, a string of accidents on Craig's watch threatens to shut down the site. And in the mountains Montana, a new company joins the ranks of the Ax Men, forcing everyone to "cowboy up!"

At Papac Alaska, the site is turned upside down when the yarder operator walks off in the middle of the day. In Florida, Swilley's determination to beat S&S in the Suwannee River Log Off leads to a life threatening mistake. With their leader still in the hospital, Big Gun Logging loses control of the Ole Keasy site. At Rygaard, the rigging crew is learning safety lessons the hard way. And in the swamp, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Jimmy Smith is smitten with his new assistant, while rivals Uncle Buck and Swilley push their equipment to the breaking point. Shelby Stanga scouts his newest log order with his darling wife Donna. Big Gun Logging faces an uncertain future when owner Levi Brown is admitted to the hospital. And at Rygaard and Papac, the chainsaws bite back.

Swamp Man Shelby Stanga is hired to remove a log from private property, but complications lead to disaster. Infighting reaches a fever pitch at S&S Aqua Logging, while the competition has a run-in with Mother Nature. A familiar face returns to Papac, much to Coatsy's dismay. Gabe Rygaard takes Dave out cutting, but things go awry. And the rookies of Big Gun Logging are adding to their ranks.

It's a new season of Ax Men and a new battle for "king of the mountain." Papac returns as reigning king of the mountain, but the stress of maintaining the title pushes hook tender Coatsy over the edge. Rygaard's dangerous blowdown site fights them at every turn. Shelby Stanga needs to start this season strong, but a gruesome accident puts him dead in the water. Veteran Pihl cutter Levi Brown breaks out on his own, and a new yarder company joins the competition. S&S logging returns to Florida to log against new rivals, but infighting trumps the competition.

It's the final week of Ax Men, and as the clock counts down, tempers heat up. In the bayou, Shelby races to raise his rig before offshore storms force the end of the season. In Florida, S&S and Collins cash in on the season's take... but for these bitter rivals, it's not over until it's over. At Lemare, Gord rushes to deliver a season's profit to the mill in time. And at both Papac and Rygaard, last minute gambles backfire and push the race to become King of the Mountain to the final seconds of the season.

Across logging country, the final push begins. At Papac, Joe Linderborg's reign on the yarder has everyone running scared. At Browning, Jay receives devastating news that could mean the end of his career. On the Suwannee, S&S and Collins almost come to blows over a pair of logs. In the swamp, Shelby mounts his final and most important mission of the season--saving his Log Dog. And at Rygaard, one chaser blows up and bows out of the competition for good.

It's time to finish the season strong. In Florida, the Log-Off is locked in a dead heat, and with Joe and Swilley sidelined after sinking their second boat, Jimmy and James are poised to take the top spot. Swamp man Shelby Stanga's log buyer is due in the morning, but a bite from a water moccasin may kill his plans for success. At Rygaard, Craig kicks Dave off the landing, but one moment of inattention could be the end for former chaser. At Browning, the crew battles a patch of tangled timber, and north of the border, the men of Lemare are racing to stay ahead of winter storms that could shut them down at any time.

As the logging season winds down, the pressure to produce, heats up. In Alaska, a family emergency takes Mark from the yarder seat and with no time for a shut down... Papac calls on the only guy with experience running the massive machine: Joe Linderborg. Meanwhile the men of Rygaard are feasting at the Honey Hole, pulling big wood and riding high. Down south on the Suwannee, Jimmy and James try to close the gap in the Log-Off while Joe and Swilley just try to get back on the water. And in the Louisiana bayou, a ghost threatens to derail Shelby.

From Canada to Louisiana, desperate times call for desperate measures. At Lemare, a washed out road threatens to trap their logs on the landing... until Gord decides to blast half the mountainside to make new gravel. At Rygaard, Gabe's got a surprise for his crew to put them back on track, while in Oregon, Jay Browning has a close call with a barberchair. In Louisiana, Shelby's bringing in a surprising new assistant: his wife Donna. And in Florida, Joe and Swilley hook a bigger log than they can handle and end up sinking their boat in the process.

There's a new crop of loggers in Ax Men country... but fitting in with the old guard ain't easy. In Louisiana, a beauty queen quickly pushes all of Shelby's buttons at once. At Lemare, Steve and the greenhorn butt heads that ends with one of them quitting. In Florida, S&S's newest deckhand gets more Jimmy Smith than he can handle. At Papac Alaska, Joe and Coatsy get a chance to bury the hatchet... but at Rygaard, the bad blood between Craig and Dave is worse than ever and is on the verge of tearing the crew apart.

From coast to coast, logging companies are willing to do anything to stay on top. At Browning, the crew gambles on a slipping skyline. In the bayou, Shelby puts his swamp buggy to the test pulling one of the biggest logs of the season. At Rygaard, Craig mounts an assault to get rid of Dave. In Florida, Joe Collins takes the plunge into the black waters of the Suwannee while S&S tries to regroup with the help of local deckhand Casey Roberson. And in Canada, Lemare receives devastating news that could end their season before it ever gets going.

While the competition between American loggers is more heated than ever... up north, there's a new game in town. Canadian top dogs Lemare Lake Logging are facing one of the toughest jobs of their career--a remote patch of land accessible only by boat. But when a major piece of equipment goes down, it threatens to end their season before it ever gets going. Down south, Browning's punishing pace comes at a price. In Alaska, rivals Joe and Coatsy settle their differences with an old school ax-chopping competition. In Florida, Joe Collins conjures up the spirits of the Suwannee, and in the backwaters of the bayou, Shelby's putting his swamp buggy to work.

In this episode of Ax Men, it's out with the old, in with the new. King of the Mountain J.M. Browning returns with son Jesse leading the charge. At Rygaard and Pihl, both companies face season-ending crises. In Florida, James hires a new deckhand but takes a serious blow to the head...and in Cajun country, Shelby's got a new toy.

Logging country is coming unglued. Rygaard is a war zone when the battle between chasers threatens to tear apart the entire crew. At Papac Alaska, Joe and Coatsy let the fists fly. In Florida, Jimmy suffers a season-ending injury. In the swamp, Shelby Stanga pushes his Log Dog past the tipping point... and for Pihl, the end is sooner than they think.

As the season reaches the halfway mark, logging country is feeling the pressure. In Florida, Swilley gets hooked in a pile of rusty metal while Jimmy and James ride a wave of high times. At Rygaard, Gabe puts his entire crew on the line when he decides to fall standing trees from directly under the skyline. In Oregon, Pihl's greenhorn lands on the wrong end of a 2,000-lb falling tree, and in bayou county, Shelby launches a dangerous nighttime mission in a part of the swamp known as "Alligator Alley".

At Rygaard, Craig's secret weapon arrives with a bang... but the crew's welcome of the new guy is far from warm. In Florida, Collins and Smith go log-for-log as both teams take a run at the lead in the Log-Off. At Olson, a broken log raft requires quick thinking from greenhorn Dustin Dethlef. At Papac Alaska, Joe and Coatsy face-off in a log rolling competition, and in Pihl country, a dangerous thinning site and temperamental equipment are a deadly combination for the rigging crew below.

Ax Men is hitting the freezing waters of southeast Alaska when a new tug boat company enters the fold. Charged with towing Papac Alaska's million-dollar payday to the mill, this veteran crew is getting a new addition: former Pihl hothead Dustin Dethlefs. At Papac Alaska, Coatsy faces competition when a former rigger returns. At Pihl, the new greenhorn leaves a lot to be desired. In Florida, Jimmy Smith goes it alone, and at Rygaard, Craig goes over Gabe's head in an attempt to push chaser Dave Schroeder out.

Logging country is teetering on the edge. At Rygaard, Gabe lands on the wrong end of a volatile log pile. At Papac Alaska, Coatsy risks sending their million-dollar yarder over the edge of a steep cliff. Down south, Shelby Stanga dodges gunfire on the Louisiana bayou, and in Florida, James Smith walks out on his father.

Logging country is turned upside down when one of the mountain's best bows out. At Papac, the men suffer under the reign of a new yarder operator. At Rygaard, it's machinery gone wild when a half-baked plan goes bad and threatens to take out a fellow man. In Florida, Jimmy and James are hunted by a venomous snake, while in Louisiana, Shelby is hunted by an old foe.

It's a battle for survival in logging country. In Bayou country, Shelby's nighttime mission brings him face-to-face with an alligator. In Florida, Jimmy and James push their luck to get one of the biggest logs in the Suwannee. At Rygaard, Dave goes down with an injury, while at Papac Alaska, the Colonel goes out in a blaze of glory. The tides are turning in logging country... and after tonight, nothing will be the same.

At Papac Alaska, time is running out for missing logger Van Huffman. At Rygaard, Gabe gambles on a helicopter... and loses. At Pihl, rigging slinger Eric Davis is rushed to the hospital after a gruesome fall. In Louisiana, Shelby pulls an all-nighter to save his dog Piss Willy. And in Florida, Collins puts the Smith boys in their place.

On the edge of America's final frontier, it's every logger's worst nightmare: one of Papac's men has disappeared into thin air. Logging country is rattled to its core when logger Van Huffman goes missing in Alaska's remote wilderness. But when Papac's crew braves the harsh terrain and weather that batters Suemez Island, they find many reasons for concern and few for hope. Down south, the mountain's newbies are in hot water. At Pihl, Leah creates an upender that threatens the entire crew and at Rygaard, Dave's "work ethic" meets Craig's wrath. In Louisiana, Shelby messes with a lethal dose of TNT that could sink him and his swamp friends for good, while the Collins crew lands on the wrong end of a runaway boat.

Rygaard tries to tame two monsters at the same time--the super-juiced Mean Bean and the downhill site on which it's deployed. Pihl's greenhorn must prove herself to the crew but a deadly mistake could cost her everything. Jimmy encounters trouble on his way to the river. Shelby and his new assistant take drastic measures to unearth a monster log. And at Papac, tempers boil over, sending one man running for the hills.

The fourth season of Ax Men returns and this year, the stakes are higher than ever. Father-and-son team Craig and Gabe Rygaard are back to take down reigning top dog J.M. Browning... but newcomer Papac Logging is gunning for both of them. Braving a remote island off the coast of Alaska, these guys play by their own rules and will stop at nothing to conquer one of America's final frontiers. Pihl Logging also returns, this time with a secret weapon whose arrival shocks the entire crew. While the mountain's top dogs battle it out in the northwest... in the other corner of the country, the aqua loggers also return. Jimmy Smith is back to reclaim his son and challenge rival Collins to a Log-Off in the black waters of the Suwannee River, while swamp logger Shelby Stanga is on a mission to find an assistant in the backwoods of Louisiana. It's the start of the most explosive season yet in the race to get the country's green gold and get out alive.

It's an all-out fight to the finish for Browning and Rygaard, as Gabe mounts a last minute surprise comeback. Shelby vows revenge on the lake log, and at Conner, it's up to the junior pilot to save the season. In Florida, it's the end of the road for Jimmy, but Joe Collins makes James an offer he may not be able to refuse.

Craig storms off the Rygaard site and Dave fails to show up, leaving Gabe to manage a shorthanded crew alone; after Jimmy's log-poaching last week, James goes out on the Suwannee by himself to hunt timber with Collins' other crew; when Jesse secures a new job for Browning, Jay brings in every available crew member to put wood on the ground; as Swamp Man makes a second try for the huge log stuck in Lake Pontchartrain, Shelby's old hernia flares up and sends him to the hospital; Josh and Kevin each make an actual heli-logging run, after which Bart evaluates their performance and hires Josh to fly for Conner.

Dave persuades Gabe to give him one last chance at Rygaard, but a careless error puts Craig on the verge of firing him; Jimmy's desperate decision to snatch a log already marked by the other Collins crew has Joe questioning his ethics; Swamp Man tries to pull a massive log from Lake Pontchartrain and stay ahead of both a fierce storm and a buyer's deadline; Josh and Kevin get their first practice at dropping cargo to the Conner ground crew; as Browning pulls in the last loads from its current job, Jay tells the crew that he has no new work lined up and must send them home.

Jimmy and James come face-to-face with the 12-foot gator that has stalked them for weeks. In the swamps of Louisiana, Shelby goes solo on a challenging mission. At Rygaard, greenhorn Dave disappears and at Browning, a string of setbacks makes Jay question if the Kalina job is cursed. The rookie pilots at Conner get the ride of their lives.

Shelby's desperate dash for cash is halted when he crashes in the swamp. A monster gator stalks the S&S boys, pushing Jimmy to his breaking point. At Rygaard, Gabe competes against his own team and at Browning, Jay recruits DJ and Cody for a dangerous environmental mission. At Conner, a giant load breaks the belly hook off the chopper, grounding the heli-loggers.

The loggers struggle to get back on track after losing a man. At Browning, a weak cable threatens to kill half the crew, while the only remaining greenhorn at Rygaard is in the line of fire during a log-alanche. Shelby's camera crew gets lost in the swamp overnight. In Florida, Jimmy and James set out alone and score the season's first big catch. And, Conner Aviation returns to face the most dangerous heli-logging job of their career.

At Rygaard, one of the greenhorns goes AWOL and Gabe has him on the chopping block. But he's not the only one�several of the loggers face the ax and for some, this week will be their last on the job. In the swamps of Louisiana, Shelby takes on a risky mission as he searches for a sunken raft of logs, and at Browning, bad news pushes Jay to his breaking point.

Tempers flare as the logging season hits the rails. Jay Browning battles allergic shock, while Gabe Rygaard sends one of the greenhorns packing. At S&S, Jimmy and Joe Collins face-off, and at Pihl, Melvin and the crew finally have it out.

Logging country is under siege. Melvin's gung-ho attitude puts the crew in danger. Rygaard's greenhorns fight for a permanent spot on the crew. While Jimmy is on the prowl for logs, a gator is on the prowl for him. The Swamp Man fights his way through Hurricane Katrina debris in search of green gold, and at Browning, Jay collapses on the job.

The forest fights back, as a careless mistake at Browning threatens to take out DJ and Cody. At Rygaard, Gabe gives his greenhorns an ultimatum: shape up or ship out. At Pihl, Melvin and Leland face-off in a fight for the yarder seat, and down south, Jimmy's first dive may be his last.

After an ill-fated road trip, Jimmy and James Smith arrive in Florida to tackle the dangerous black water of the American South, only to realize they're in way over their heads. Rygaard's greenhorns get a wake-up call when a cable snaps. Browning's soaring production has a price, and at Pihl, Melvin's mistakes may cost him his job.

As the summer heats up, so do the men of the mountain. Rygaard breaks in its greenhorns, while Jay Browning takes a gamble on a new yarder operator. At Pihl, dissension grows between Melvin and Leland. And in bayou country, Shelby heads deeper into the swamp than ever before, but the mission may cost him everything he owns.

It's the dead heat of summer and this season the stakes are higher than ever. From mountaintop to river's bottom, six crews will take on one of America's deadliest jobs in search of green gold. In this episode, Ax Men is logging coast to coast. Shelby the "Swamp Man" Stanga braves gator-infested waters in search of sunken treasure. Browning, Rygaard, and Pihl are locked in competition as the brutal summer weather heats up.

As the logging season winds to a close, the drama heats up. Conner fights off defeat, while the men of Pihl fight each other. Jimmy's barge refuses to budge, and for Browning and Rygaard, eleventh hour catastrophes send the competition down to the wire.

The final week of logging's toughest season begins. Impossible goals leave no room for error, as each crew races the clock. While Rygaard and Browning are locked in a fight to the finish, Conner Aviation battles for survival. At Pihl, one man won't survive the week.

The gap between winners and losers is narrowing. Rygaard's new greenhorn battles to prove himself, while Conner Aviation's substitute pilot gets wild with the chopper. Dwayne Dethlefs leaves Pihl Logging high and dry, while the Aqua Loggers are sunk by bad weather. At Browning, Jesse's crew tries to catch Rygaard's lead.

New faces are welcomed to the fraternity of men known as Ax Men. Rygaard and Conner Aviation hope their new greenhorns fare better than the last class. At Pihl, a missing cutter sends the crew on a search mission, and tempers at S&S Aqua Logging reach crisis level.

Dead weight must be shed. Inexperienced hook tender Jesse Browning, junior pilot Steve Smith and greenhorn Brad Hewitt all have their heads on the chopping block. They've been struggling since day one, but their company bosses are out of patience and out of options. Only one will survive the week.

The tables are turned and the mountain's underdogs get their chance. Jimmy Smith finds the holy grail of underwater logs when he attempts to pull a dock out of the water. The men of Pihl Logging battle the biggest timber of their careers. Logging giant Rygaard falls victim to its greenhorn, and helicopter logging suffers under the direction of its new pilot.

The mountain seeks its revenge. Weather traps R&R's helicopter pilot in the fog. Trees fight back against Pihl's timber fallers. Rivers mount their defense, threatening to rip Jimmy Smith's barge in half. At Rygaard, logging is turned upside down when they move to a new downhill logging site.

The mountain's men face the firing squad. Rygaard's greenhorn fights to keep his job, but the bosses may pull the plug before he gets his chance. Jimmy heads into uncharted waters, but hidden below the surface is a minefield that could sink his business for good. Dustin encounters a deadly scenario, and at R&R, a sudden fog rolls in and traps a pilot in zero visibility.

At Rygaard, the bosses clash over greenhorn Brad. Meanwhile, at the Pihl team, Dwayne is forced to do the job of a greenhorn. To the east, R&R Conner Aviation must choose between safety and production. Jimmy and son James are still waging war against the mammoth deadhead known as Moby Dick. Usually, three strikes and you're out�but Jimmy plays by a different set of rules!

The Ax Men soar to new heights as a helicopter logging outfit enters the competition. At Pihl, Dustin tries to talk his father into coming back to work. Rygaard's greenhorn faces his fears when he must climb a 100-ft tree, and Jimmy and James grasp at straws as their prized log slips from their clutches.

The battle has just begun�and already, men are bowing out of the race. Rygaard's greenhorn struggles to earn the respect of his crew, while Jay Browning's $30,000 gamble on new equipment craps out. Aqua logger, Jimmy Smith and his new deckhand, son James, try to reel in the log of their lives. And one of the mountain's most beloved Ax Men will hang up his saw for good.

As dawn breaks over the Pacific Northwest, this year's Ax Men prepare for the battle that lies ahead. Behind every turn, danger lurks. To survive, they must escape falling trees and bone-crushing machinery, face impossible deadlines and the worst weather Mother Nature can throw at them. Returning from last season is J.M. Browning, last year's log count winner, and Pihl Logging, unruly but true-blue lifetime loggers. Adding to the competition this year will be two new companies�Washington-based newcomers Rygaard Logging, a fiery father-son team, and S&S Aqua Logging, a team of diving loggers who fish for timber in some of the Pacific Northwest's most treacherous waters.

Logging's toughest season winds down but the battle is far from over. Jesse questions the future of his family's business as J.M. Browning continues to fall from glory. The Gustafson crew returns to the Challenge, but rumors of a final pullout abound. The Pihl crew wraps Beaver and celebrates a successful year. A member of the Stump Branch crew announces that he will not return.

The Ax Men are ready to get back to work and put the storm behind them. Darrell makes a startling discovery that could mean the end for the Challenge job. The Stump Branch crew must figure out a Plan B and find missing greenhorn Michael. Still without phone service, Jay Browning struggles to gather his troops. The Pihl crew bails out one of its own.

The town of Vernonia is declared a disaster area as the worst storm in 25 years pounds the Oregon coast. Members of Pihl and Stump Branch are forced to flee. Jay Browning can't be found. Darrell must act fast to save his house from falling trees as the town of Astoria descends into a blackout. The future of the logging industry is in jeopardy.

Thanksgiving is over, but the return to work brings more trouble for the Ax Men. The Gustafson crew now faces a nearly impossible deadline after returning from a devastating two-week layoff. Pig Farm is close to its deadline, but half of the Pihl crew skips work, leaving greenhorn Cody to pick up the slack. Mistakes and inexperience at Stump Branch put profits and lives at risk. Jay Browning makes a troubling discovery about his next job.

Thanksgiving arrives; winter weather strikes and the men of Pihl lose one man after another to illness. The younger crew members of Gustafson blow off steam while the bosses toil away. Jay is forced to ax some of the Browning gang staff. The season's first snow is a warning of things to come for the Stump Branch crew.

In the wake of the plummeting logging market, the Ax Men are barely surviving. The Gustafson bosses have a close call while taking over for their laid-off crew. An old hook tender returns to the Browning team, stopping Jesse's ascension to company management. Pihl loses a crucial member of the team as it struggles to finish Pig Farm. At Stump Branch, the young guns take matters into their own hands when Melvin has to leave the site.

The season is halfway through, and the gap between winners and losers is widening. Stump Branch tests a new but more dangerous logging strategy... and it poses great danger to the men in the rigging. The Pihl men play while the bosses are away. Browning Logging is a team divided. Jesse struggles to prove himself to his father... but faulty equipment isn't helping matters. A mistake on the Gustafson crew may end one man's career.

Logging has been called North America's most dangerous job. Logging giants throughout Oregon are falling. Two of the biggest--J.M. Browning and Gustafson Logging--are fighting to survive. Jay Browning, usually flush with lucrative deals, is forced to make tough decisions. Gustafson Logging is down but not out. Smaller outfits, like Stump Branch and Pihl, find winning strategies in their young leaders.

The loggers of the Pacific Northwest perform what is said to be North America's most dangerous job. Watch as the men react to news of upcoming layoffs. Gustafson Logging tries to get back on track, Browning Logging races to meet a big deadline and Pihl Logging needs to finish the Pig Farm Job. Despite Melvin's best efforts to keep up with his old equipment, Stump Branch Logging loses one of its most important machines.

Across Northwest Oregon, the Ax Men continue to grind it out. Storm season arrived with a vengeance--shutting some crews down while others struggled to stay afloat. Now a bigger storm is brewing. The stalled housing market's effects are hitting the Ax Men hard. Jobs will be shut down; men will be put out of work. This week, the housing market hits home.

As a storm closes in on the Oregon coast, the Ax Men race to stay one step ahead. Jesse continues to push the J.M. Browning crew to meet its looming deadline, while muddy roads trap trucks on their way to the Stump Branch site. Robby battles for control of the Gustafson crew. Pihl Logging feels the effects of the slumping lumber market.

Just days into the fall logging season, the Ax Men are already being put to the test. J.M. Browning races to meet a big deadline. Stump Branch Logging tempts fate by jury-rigging their old equipment. The Gustafson Company races mother nature as they attempt to build a road to access their logging site. Father teaches son the lessons of logging as the men of the Pihl Company haul in the forest's cash crop.

Deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, rugged men make their living doing one of the deadliest jobs in the world... logging. Their mission is to retrieve timber perched on mountainsides too steep to access with machines, but it's no easy task. Plagued by mechanical failures, relentless weather, and unpredictable terrain, these brave men risk their lives retrieving the timber with which we built our country. Meet four companies trying to survive each day. Pihl Logging--a rag-tag group of loggers based in Vernonia, Oregon. Gustafson Logging--a close-knit crew working one of the most dangerous jobs in the region. J.M. Browning--the best of the best. Stump Branch Logging--the young guns with a lot to prove. These are the Ax Men.