The cost of a permit from the USFS, last year, was $20 for 4 cord. Haven't picked one up for this year yet; I think it'll be the same price. 5 bucks for a cord of hardwood? Dang right!
The 2 big trees we bucked had probably been down for a year or so. A smaller tree had been down long enough for the wood to start to silver, maybe 2 years. Yep, I split by hand and stack as I go. The down trees you see behind my truck are behind a fence and locked gate, and on a 30 degree slope. There is so much down wood closer to various forest roads (old logging roads) that we never even think about getting stuff like you see behind the truck. The site is about 18 miles from home. And thanks for the "thumbs".
What about from the State Dave? I'm thinking it is a bit less if you have state land close by. Geeze, I remember when you could gather 10 cord free... Then one year I was encouraged to gather 25-30 cord with no permit required. They asked me if I could do it and that is all it took. And yes, that was on state land. Now they charge for it and practically give away logs for lumber.
Good LongShot and it appears it must still be a bit cool there by they way your friend is dressed. Or maybe you are just up a bit high in elevation?
I see some logic to this. Bereaucratic logic. He who saws the most logs wins. Its not the optimal situation for someone who doesn't have a 50 log truck with trailers. Anything to line pockets. ANYTHING. Who says money doesn't grow on trees?.....
We were cutting at about 8500 ft. Probably around 45 degrees when we started, around 60 or so when we left. Nice weather to work in, mostly sunny. I still worked up a good sweat under my chaps. :stacke:
