Mountain Men: Tom FIGHTS for Survival in BRUTAL Conditions (Season 10)

Tom Moore has spent 42 years in the northern Rockies, facing many hardships but never a pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak has reached even the remote corners of Montana. Tom and Nancy, who live in the mountains, are trying to maintain social distance and hope to pull through the crisis. With winter approaching, Tom plans to trap bobcats for their valuable fur, setting up traps with beaver meat as bait. His usual trapping partner, Sean McAfee, can't help due to the pandemic, so Tom must manage alone. Despite his age and reduced mobility, Tom is determined to continue his work, relying on his experience and smart trapping strategies.

Tom, now 77, faces the challenge of maintaining his trap line alone. He sets traps for bobcats, weasels, pine martens, and even wolves, which are notoriously difficult to catch. He uses various techniques, including ash from loggers' fires, to attract wolves. Despite his efforts, Tom's first day on the trap line is grueling and ends with him limping home in the dark after his snowshoe breaks. With the help of his brother Jack, he repairs his snowshoe, determined to continue trapping the next day. Tom's life is deeply intertwined with the natural world, and he continues his work despite the physical toll it takes.

As winter sets in, Tom Orr continues his trapping efforts, focusing on small animals like weasels to make ends meet. Despite the physical limitations that come with age, he remains dedicated to his craft, setting traps and snaring animals. His wife Nancy supports their livelihood by crafting items from the furs at home. They work together to increase the value of their products, turning pelts into high-quality, hand-crafted goods. Tom's pursuit of a bobcat, a high-priced pelt on the market, is highlighted, showing his determination and the unpredictable nature of his trade.

Tom Orr's day on the trap line yields mixed results. He manages to catch three weasels but is disappointed by the lack of a bobcat catch. The weasels require delicate and detailed work to process their fur, which Tom turns into valuable items. The low fur prices have led him to tan and craft more of what he traps, adding value through his craftsmanship. His work is not just about survival but also about the art and skill of traditional trapping and crafting.

In the Yak Valley of Montana, Tom Orr collaborates with his friend Will Stringfellow to craft a primitive bow from osage orange wood. They use a traditional method of heating the wood to bend it into shape, then string it with sinew for strength and flexibility. Despite a crack in the bow during the process, they manage to repair it using glue made from boiled buffalo hide and additional sinew backing. The repaired bow is not only functional but also a testament to their craftsmanship and the value of traditional skills.

Tom Orr demonstrates the ancient art of brain tanning, using the brain matter of a wolf to soften and condition the skin. This labor-intensive process involves scraping the flesh off the hide, stretching it on a frame, applying the brain solution, and then smoking the hide to finish the tanning process. The resulting wolf skin is a prized possession, not only for its beauty but also for the hours of dedicated work invested in it. Tom's expertise in this traditional craft is evident as he carefully guides the hide through each step of the transformation.

As spring approaches in the Yak Valley, Tom Orr turns his attention to beaver trapping. He travels to a remote area, navigating thawing ice and dangerous river conditions to reach beaver ponds. Using a variety of traps and techniques, including the use of beaver castor to lure the animals, Tom successfully catches several beavers. His efforts result in a significant haul, adding up to a substantial value in fur and contributing to the control of the beaver population, which can become a nuisance if left unchecked.

With traditional trade fairs like the rendezvous canceled due to the pandemic, Tom and Nancy look to a new venture to sell their goods—the trading post. Built by their friend Will Stringfellow, the trading post aims to provide a marketplace for local artisans to sell their primitive crafts. The post is a work in progress, with much still to be done, but it offers a promising outlet for Tom and Nancy to showcase and sell their winter's work, including rare and valuable items like a buffalo hide coat and other handcrafted goods.

Tom and Nancy, seasoned primitive crafters, prepare to stock the new trading post with their winter's work. They unload a variety of goods, including a rare and valuable buffalo hide coat, intricate beadwork, and other handcrafted items. The trading post is envisioned as a hub of activity, with plans for contests and a place for visitors to engage with local crafts and history. Despite the challenges of the past year, Tom and Nancy are hopeful for the success of the trading post and the opportunity it presents to sell their goods and share their stories.