COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) reported last week on an arrest made on Walker County warrants for two counts of timber fraud.
Timber theft can take a variety of forms, including harvesting timber without the landowner’s knowledge or consent, not paying the agreed price, or stealing timber from logging companies.
To prevent timber theft, landowners should:
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visit their property frequently;
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have someone they know and trust report any cutting on their land immediately;
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never sign a contract without checking several of the buyer’s references;
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for the best price, insist on getting bids for their timber;
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mark all property lines to assure cutting on adjacent property does not encroach on theirs;
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use trail/deer cameras on their property that can record suspicious activity or individuals; and
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always hold their timber contractor to the agreed upon terms.
Landowners can contact their local TAMFS office for assistance on the process of securing the services of a professional resource manager to help select trees for harvest, estimate values, and find potential buyers.
To report suspected timber theft or suspicious activity, call the TAMFS Law Enforcement Timber Theft Hotline 800-364-3470.
The Texas Real Estate Research Center has a wealth of economic information online for free.