Atz was born after his parents, Yule and Ruth, escaped Hitler's stronghold on Eastern Europe and moved to the wilderness. The oldest male of eight children, Atz considers himself the protector of the family. Among countless other things, he must protect his brother Otto's herd from the wide range of meat hungry predators where they graze. South Central Alaska is home to black bear, brown bear, wolves and coyotes that all consider Otto's cattle their own meat supply. It is Atz Sr.'s job to ensure that is not the case. Were the predators to have their way, Otto's herd would be decimated in a season. Atz, the range-rider, refuses to allow that to happen.