Swamp People Season 4 begins this Valentine’s Day on History

History has plenty to love about its hit series Swamp People, so it may only be fitting that the network is starting Swamp People Season 4 on Valentine’s Day — this Thursday, Feb. 14, at 9pm ET.

Swamp People was, indeed, a real sweetheart to History last year in Season 3, averaging 4.4 million total viewers and 2.3 million adult 25-54 impressions (up +7% and +10%, respectively, from Season 2). This set a new record for Swamp People. Among adults 25-54 it also ranked as the No. 6 series in all of ad-supported cable for 2012, and was No. 5 among men 25-54, with an average of 1.3 million viewers in that demo.

But Season 3 was not all positive for the show. The Swamp People family lost star Mitchell Guist in May 2012 when he died of natural causes at age 48. A Season 3 episode called “Voodoo Bayou” was dedicated to his memory.

The show goes on, however, and Season 4 of Swamp People follows the Swampers as they battle through the wrath of Hurricane Isaac, which robs them of five days of their short alligator season. In the storm’s aftermath, they must face down massive fish kills, flooded hunting grounds and gators that refuse to take their bait. And, as if that’s not enough, human predators have joined the mix. There are interlopers from Texas in Pierre Part, a widespread epidemic of poaching in Louisiana and a plague of new hunting partner challenges.

Returning Swampers in Swamp People Season 4

Troy: Troy (pictured) is forced to hunt with a rusty partner – his city-slicker oldest son, Brandon, back to the swamp for the first time in 10 years. Also, Troy must deal with invaders in his own hunting grounds – a couple of brash Texans with something to prove.

Jacob: Jacob is paired up with his brother, Chase. The pressure is on, as Jacob feels the necessity to prove to his dad that he’s the heir to Landry family throne. But, he’s going to have to survive a brutal season.

Liz: As a consequence of Hurricane Isaac, Liz temporarily loses her trusted hunting partner, Kristi – forcing her to hunt with her 19-year-old daughter, Jessica. To add to her struggles, she is freshly recovering from surgery and is hunting against doctor’s orders.

R.J & Jay Paul: After years of hunting in unfamiliar hunting grounds, the two are finally back on their native land and must prove themselves to the entire Houma tribe by landing the biggest gators they can – even if it means going to extreme measures to succeed.

Bruce & Ron: After failing to tag out last season, these two are determined to redeem themselves. But Hurricane Isaac has dealt the team the worst blow in the swamp – as their hunting grounds are destroyed and access is blocked for days after everyone else is hunting. The team must overcome cannibal alligators, jinxed yellow gators and the near loss of Bruce’s beloved hunting dog, Tyler, if they have a chance at tagging out.

Junior: Pressured by the shortened gator season, pushes his son, Willie, to his wits end. After getting bit by a gator and shot again by his father, Willie jumps ship forcing Junior to recruit his wife, Theresa, to help him finish the season.

Glenn Guist: Glenn is trying desperately to define life without his brother, Mitchell. His friends rally around him as they look to fulfill Mitchell’s dream and unfinished project.

New Guys on the Bayou in Swamp People Season 4

T-Roy Broussard and Harlan “Bigfoot” Hatcher: From Texas, these two are the top alligator hunters in the Lone Star state. They are trying to break into the Louisiana gator hunting scene after negotiating some tags from a Pierre Part landowner. How will they fare on Troy Landry’s turf?

Jeromy Pruitt and David LaDart: From Marion, LA, these two are a stepfather / stepson team who are some of the most creative (and quirky) hunters on the swamp. Using all sorts of unconventional bait, boats, and ammunition has put this pair at the top of the list of Northern Louisiana hunters. The two are determined to hunt down “The Beast Of The East,” a legendary massive gator.

ZZ Loupe: ZZ may only be 16 years old, but he’s lived on the swamp and handled gators since he was in diapers. At 6’2″ and 260 pounds, he’s a child prodigy that is a force to be reckoned with — possessing a high level of swamp savvy and ingenuity. In his first “professional” hunting season, ZZ has teamed with legendary swamp veteran, Tom Candies.

Swamp People Season 4 airs Thursdays at 9pm ET on History starting Feb. 14.

________________________

© 2011 History/Zach Dilgard