Firewood Thievery - Someone split with my splits!

I had something very similar happen a couple/few years ago, although it was on someone else's property. Sadly, there was no gate/controlled access, but only myself, my brother, and the farm manager were given permission to cut firewood. It ended up happening more than once. I was not just burning the wood myself, but selling quite a bit in order to just barely make ends meet for my family while I was in college. There's a special kind of anger that you feel when, not only did someone just steal your time/labor, but it directly affects your kids. I get that someone may be so poor that they need it more than I (and I was pretty dang poor), but geez... I often feel like firewood thieves should be dealt with like the horse thieves of the old west. I know that's harsh, but they're messing with someone else's livelihood and well-being...

For years my logs have had brightly-colored dots painted on them (marking my 16" cuts), but after those incidents, I started randomly spraying Xs and whatnot on the piles, and taking a couple pictures of them. Not necessarily a deterrent, but I figured that at least I might have a chance of spotting my firewood in someone's truck/trailer. It would also give me the ability to post an "APB" on my local FB groups, asking if anyone had bought a load of firewood with blue markings on it. The next time I'm in a similar situation (as in; cutting "rights" on someone else's land), I'm definitely gonna go the trail cam route.

I, like probably many of you on this forum, have not hesitated to give firewood to someone truly in need in the past. Especially if they were willing to help, or the situation involved kids...

 

Another forum a while back discussed someone booby trapping their firewood by boring out part of a split and stuffing it with firecrackers. Everybody on that forum thought it was an evil terrible idea except me, I still laugh about it from time to time, but hey, I never said I was right.

 

One of the first thoughts that ran through my head. Not really a good idea. I'm sure it would be oh so satisfying.

I was thinking of a Chimfex stick inside. Shouldn't do any real harm other than killing whatever fire it was tossed into. Yes, the little red guy on my shoulder says a stick of dynamite is more appropriate. So glad he doesn't win many arguments.

 

Stick a coupla color smoke bombs in one? One way to find out is from the smoke signals haha. Seriously though this isn’t right as anyone stealing as a standpoint. Had this happen to me too but definitely nothing in terms of amount. The guy left me a note. My neighbors shot a text to me when it happened when I was away. July 4th. Good that it was self contained and someone saw but I could have helped them instead of them helping themselves to the wood. Maybe the moral to this is that the wood was black locust and still wet as heck.... poetic justice? I’m not sure. Anyways I let it go but moved the wood to my backyard in the fenced-in area. Hard work gone can definitely be a little bit maddening. I thought same thing, not fun. Hope you catch up on them...leave a surprise for them to come home to. Convenient stores post pictures of those who shoplift in their stores. If you figure it out try plastering their house or car or both with pictures of them in the act.

 

In my internet travels, I came across you discussing this type of situation on another forum. I was searching to see how others have dealt with wood theft.

And yes, the sting is not that I am going to be out of wood, but the work that went into making it. That was gonna be some prime stuff in a couple years! One of the few beech that I've come across that wasn't a pain to split. Grain was fairly straight very few knots. I like burning beech.

I had another instance of a problem with wood just the day before at my boss's property. Pulled several logs out for my buddy & I to cut up for his shop burner. Showed up next day to find someone else whacking on it already. This is a different set of circumstances though as the other guy had been given permission to come and cut wood (but not necessarily *that wood). Once our saws got fired up, we quickly laid claim to the rest of the logs by bucking them up while he was finishing up loading his truck for what I guestimated as the second, maybe third trip. He got all the ash except one log and also took the only cherry. My buddy ended up with a bunch of Honey locust, which is fine firewood. I did not say a word to him...again, not my place to. No more pulling wood out for easy pickings though.

 

Sorry to hear about your loss of wood.

The only thing I can really say on this is that often times, the culprits tend to be the LAST people you think would do it. I know that sounds counter intuitive, but that is often how it works out. I am not saying it is your neighbor or not, just suggesting you do not rush to conclusions. You have the gift of surprise, keep your mouth shut, don't say a word and let the gamer cameras work for you.

Here in Maine recovering firewood is a tough deal. We have dropped tree length wood off at people's houses and when they failed to pay we notified the authorities, and they shrug their shoulders. But we dropped it off, a hundred witnesses could say they watched us unload it when they drove by...nope, there is no way to determine where wood came from.

We even caught some guys tossing splits into their truck bed, my Uncle chased them down, called in the police on his phone with the plate number and their reply was, "They are poor, you guys have plenty of land and can get more." That is pasture droppings right there.

 

sorry that sucks

 

Please Don't booby trap anything. Inflicting harm on someone - could be a kid or a frail old lady that isn't thinking too clearly any more.

 

Point well taken.

But what if the one who gets stolen from is in as just as much need as the thief? What if he has children who are freezing too? It wouldn’t help me much or console me if I had to think that a stranger’s children were warm at the expense of mine.

 

RCBS I'm mad for you!! They didn't steal your wood, they stole your time and sweat.. Trail cam is in order.
I too will give away possessions, but ask for it! Thieves are the worst!!

 

I will not resort to that, as much as I think I would like to. Again, if anything, I would make a chimfex split that would simply kill their fire when they tossed that particular piece in the stove. If I could figure out a "stink bomb" recipe that might be something I'd consider also. I have been wronged, but not physically injured, no need for reckless violence.

My main suspect has one teenaged boy around 16-17. He is not incapable of getting his own wood as he always has in the past. Their house is a bit of a mystery to me lately. Sometimes it's occupied and signs of people around, sometimes not. IDK if he has a new woman that he stays with or what. He did go a little bit off the deep end a couple years back after his wife passed from cancer. Started drinking, which I never knew him to do previously. He is no upstanding citizen either. Been in trouble with Department of Natural resources regarding deer meat and a 21 point buck mount that was eventually confiscated due to illegal tagging. We are by no means buddies or anything, but have always maintained a 'friendly neighbor' relationship.

This is why I contacted my sister right off and then asked about my nephew. Now I'd still be upset if they took it without asking, but I would give them as much as they needed if they asked. (my nephew would have to pay me back though)

With the locked gate, there just aren't too many people who would be able to take it. I'll not draw conclusions without evidence though.

Meanwhile, I am going to keep and increase surveillance, then go about life in my normal way and see what develops. Only you folks here and a couple friends and coworkers are aware of this situation currently (and of course the thief). I am finally calming down about it a bit. I do hold one heck of a grudge though. This will never be forgotten.

 

This is the saddest thing of all perhaps.

I know what it is like to have something stolen, but at the same time a person has to keep things in perspective.

Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and then expecting the other person to die; really all it does is eat you up inside instead. It is not wrong to pursuit legal means, but when they are exhausted, sometimes you just have to let things go.

 

I've done fairly well so far in life in the realm of burning bridges. I have several self imposed lifetime boycotts that I keep up, some more than 20 years now.

"Fool me once and you'll never get the opportunity to do so again." Same goes with taking advantage of me or taking me for granted.

If the other party is looking for forgiveness, I recommend they go to Church.

 

Change the locks and put out a well hidden trail cam. Once you have a handle of who is stealing, you confront them according to the situation.

 

File a police report now. If you wait until you find the wood to file the report the police won't be much help.

 

I believe I searched for How to deal with firewood theft or maybe firewood stolen. Yes, it was that forum. I have never visited or was a member, but it struck me a bit humorous to see you there in the discussion, posting.

Very little to go on at the moment. I would feel I was wasting the Sheriff's valuable time with it unless I had some evidence to present.

 

It takes very little time to file a report and that is his/her job. Who, what, when, where and why goes in the database for future reference. Perhaps others are having wood stolen and a concerted effort will help catch the thief...
My recommendations:

1. File police report.
2. Don’t change the lock as doing so will make it more difficult to catch the thief in the act.
3. Put up surveillance and tell NO ONE that you are doing it. People talk and you never know might get tipped off...

Good luck.