THE SERIES: When the Western Arctic caribou herd wandered close to Point Hope in summer 2008, village hunters went out in pursuit of the animals as they have for generations. This hunt turned out like no other. Some caribou were killed and left to rot on the tundra. Alaska State Troopers tipped off to the waste came north to investigate, resulting in charges against eight villagers, who are now due to stand trial Nov. 30. The hunt for the truth of what happened on the tundra has left more questions than answers, as reporter Jill Burke discovered during a visit to the village last month.

In video captured for the cable channel Animal Planet, obtained by Alaska Dispatch, state troopers scour the hills southeast of Point Hope for evidence of the alleged caribou slaughter.

Home video provided to investigators allegedly documents the hunt's aftermath. In this sequence, former teacher Point Hope Kurt Schmidt counts carcasses.

Point Hope resident Ashley Oktollik shows a visitor the subsistence foods in his freezer.

Point Hope elder Elijah Attungana reacts to claims that village hunters wasted caribou.

Point Hope elder Alice Weber on the accusations of wasted meat.