Clearcut disasters

[Venom One]

There are some new clearcuts around some of the areas I hunt and I'm astounded by the pathetic state of the land and overall waste. There are so many tree tops (6" or more in diameter and 25+ ft long), rejected trees and logs/branches everywhere that 2/3 or more of the clearing is completely impassible - yes, IMPASSIBLE. The number of trees laying on the ground made it look like they wasted 1/2 of them. Clearcutting will always be messy and walking thru them is always a challenge in frustration, but these were so bad the animals won't be able to utilize the vast majority of the clearing. Huge piles of logs and debris just shoved over the edge into the creek. I've hunted hundreds of clearcuts over the years, but these were an abomination on another scale. I get that time is money and loggers can't make the area pristine, but after seeing that I'd like to see some standardized regulations for clearcutting so the areas aren't left unusable.

 

[Customweld]

There are some new clearcuts around some of the areas I hunt and I'm astounded by the pathetic state of the land and overall waste. There are so many tree tops (6" or more in diameter and 25+ ft long), rejected trees and logs/branches everywhere that 2/3 or more of the clearing is completely impassible - yes, IMPASSIBLE. The number of trees laying on the ground made it look like they wasted 1/2 of them. Clearcutting will always be messy and walking thru them is always a challenge in frustration, but these were so bad the animals won't be able to utilize the vast majority of the clearing. Huge piles of logs and debris just shoved over the edge into the creek. I've hunted hundreds of clearcuts over the years, but these were an abomination on another scale. I get that time is money and loggers can't make the area pristine, but after seeing that I'd like to see some standardized regulations for clearcutting so the areas aren't left unusable.

Maybe it's on the slate to be burnt prior to replanting in the spring. More than likely, they were directed to leave it that way.

 

[FLATHEAD]

They do look like hell for a while, but they are wildlife magnets.

 

[Venom One]

Maybe it's on the slate to be burnt prior to replanting in the spring. More than likely, they were directed to leave it that way.

I hope you're right. But if that's their plan I'm not sure why they shoved so many "lodge poles" and debris over the edge into the creek. It's quite a sight.

 

[Customweld]

I hope you're right. But if that's their plan I'm not sure why they shoved so many "lodge poles" and debris over the edge into the creek. It's quite a sight.

That kind of stuff is definitely not a good look for logging .

 

[Venom One]

They do look like hell for a while, but they are wildlife magnets.

Agreed, they're just not going to be able to reach a lot of it. I called in a bull a few days ago and he took a route that took him into a blowdown so bad that after 30 min of crashing around he finally gave up. The blowdown and clearcut look very similar.

 

[mtnrunner260]

Is it on FS land?
Call the office and ask them if there are future plans. Politely offer recommendations from one of their users and maybe it will spark additional action.

 

[Zeke6951]

I am almost certain that hunters being able to get through the clearcut was very low on the logger or forester priority list. Could be that the debris was left there to filter any rain runoff or to rot and put the nutrients back in the soil. Tree tops also protect new seedlings from over browsing by deer and elk etc. Just saying.

 

[Venom One]

Is it on FS land?
Call the office and ask them if there are future plans. Politely offer recommendations from one of their users and maybe it will spark additional action.

I was thinking the same thing, but posted hoping we had some loggers on here who could shed light on whether they have any requirements for how they leave the land.

 

[541hunter]

Rules vary by state when talking about private land and state land. In Oregon you are required to leave a certain amount of down trees per acre. Hard to say what you are seeing as every stand can receive a different prescription based on pre and post conditions. Logging method can also influence the amount of debris left behind. For example ground based sides typically process trees where they are cut, which leaves more debris behind. On a cable based operation (steep slopes), trees are processed on the landing which leaves less debris behind.

 

[KID]

They will most likely pile it up and burn it. I see this all the time on the corporate timber lands I hunt in north central Idaho. I have had the same reaction and a year later its a burn full of green grass. I've actually seen state land look worse. They go in and thin the little stuff and leave it lay on the ground and rot.

 

[Venom One]

I am almost certain that hunters being able to get through the clearcut was very low on the logger or forester priority list. Could be that the debris was left there to filter any rain runoff or to rot and put the nutrients back in the soil. Tree tops also protect new seedlings from over browsing by deer and elk etc. Just saying.

Yeah, I get that they couldn't give 2 ***** for whether hunters can access the area, but I thought animal access for food would be a minor consideration....at least for gov't agencies concerned with conservation.

 

[Venom One]

They will most likely pile it up and burn it. I see this all the time on the corporate timber lands I hunt in north central Idaho. I have had the same reaction and a year later its a burn full of green grass. I've actually seen state land look worse. They go in and thin the little stuff and leave it lay on the ground and rot.

Burning it would be awesome for regrowth. This was State land so I'm guessing they don't have the manpower to police the post-cleanup.

 

[KID]

Well hopefully for your sake they will clean it up. I've been hunting clear-cuts my entire hunting life and had a lot of luck because of logging. It would be deep dark timber in my area without it.

 

[Courtlandfarms]

So a tornado thrashed stand of timber would look better? I think you're forgetting what timber harvesting is simulating. Also, are you under the impression the harvesting is to solely benefit hunters and the species you're after? That thing is going to be crawling with all kinds of animals and insects.

Yes, they should be made to have aesthetical value, but dang, that is absolutely massive equipment playing pick up sticks.

 

[Wrench]

This stuff is hell to get through.....but holds killer bucks and bulls. You should see how a 300 class bull runs through it nearly silent.

 

[Northpark]

I was thinking the same thing, but posted hoping we had some loggers on here who could shed light on whether they have any requirements for how they leave the land.

I’m a forester and have worked for the Forest service my entire career. I’d be very interested to know the land ownership of said clear cut. I worked in timber management in Colorado until last year before moving into a new position in AZ. We clearcut as much as the local logging capacity was capable of in the dead lodgepole pine stands. Sometimes they were left a bit messy to protect seedlings from the elk but I wouldn’t have called them impassable either. The loggers were only required to take down to a 6” diameter because the mill couldn’t process below 6” for saw timber and there’s no paper mills in Colorado because they use a lot of water in processing. Our contracts are very specific on how loggers are to leave the area.

 

[Fatcamp]

Post a picture.

 

[cnelk]

Elk luv clearcuts - no matter how nasty with leftover refuse.

And if elk luv cleacuts, so do I

 

[Beendare]

whew- rant over
..