getting wood without permision???? right or wrong

Private property is just that. I would approach him and ask if you can cut and haul. He might be grouchy but he may give you permission.

Taking any of that wood without his permission would be trespassing and theft of private property, pure and simple. JMO. Rick

If you think he is grumpy now try going on his land without permission. It could end up being the most expensive wood you ever gathered

Sneak on to someone's property and cut their wood......no no!

Booze. A grumpy old farts best friend. Find out what he drinks and hand it over just before you ask permission. It's amazing how much land a person can hunt with just one bottle of Jim Bean.

If your asking on the forum you probably know the answer. Ask him by looking like you're helping him out.
Might surprise you.

Shawn ...i'll just say this . How would you feel if the rolls were reversed and you caught someone

If it's not yours, it's not yours.

I had to leave a good bit sit near me because the elderly lady that owns it thinks her sons might want it eventually, but it's been sitting for 2 years and no one's touched it. I know it's hard to see things go to waste for sure. But, it's not mine so I have to let it go. Try asking this farmer and assure him you'll respect the property, you may be surprised at the answer.

I think you have your answer. I know a guy just like him, and it makes me sick to see the wood rot, but it is his, not mine.

shawn6596 said:

...if it were me I wouldn't care as long as people were respectful.

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Does that mean they ask permission beforehand or say "Thank you, sir" after they've stolen your property?

I'll pile on here.
This is really very simple.
If it's not yours, it's someone else's.

wrong and ya don't want find out if he loads 00 or rock salt

nsfd95 said:

Booze. A grumpy old farts best friend. Find out what he drinks and hand it over just before you ask permission. It's amazing how much land a person can hunt with just one bottle of Jim Bean.

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Agreed. A bottle of booze could be the answer. I have a buddy who offered a local farmer a portion of any venison he got if allowed to hunt on his property, and was given access to some prime hunting land. Any chance that this guy would let you take the wood if you gave some to him?

Yep, its wrong to go and get it... Is he married? Find out if she has friends you or your wife could talk with about getting the wood.
She might be able to help you get thru to him. As others have said, booze is another good idea. Keep trying

He may not see you, but he sure as hell will hear you.
Timber theft, and fire wood theft is taken very serious in this area.

shawn6596 said:

It is on the back side of a corn field where no one can see. They have been piled up for 3 years, The butt logs are solid, the cherry is punky, but solid inside.

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Is the land posted? If it is and you can't see the wood from anywhere else I would drop it completely.

Ok , the guy is grumpy,
Question : Have you already ask for it ,and got turned down or have you not asked at all yet
If you don't ask , you will surely not receive

shawn6596 said:

I know its wrong. as far as if it were me I wouldn't care as long as people were respectful.

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It's a tough call sometimes. We used to allow all sorts of activity on our farm. Hunting, ATV's, firewood cutting, et al. We had to stop almost all of that activity (except close family & friends) because of potential lawsuits. I don't like it, but our lawyer says we must be very careful . People have been sued and have lost their farms because of injury to themselves and/or others. Yes, most states have a "recreational use" clause in their respective codes that will hold harmless the landowner, but people still file lawsuits and sometimes win. Even if the farmer/landowner wins, he still has to spend money defending himself.

The rule around here is ALWAYS ask. Here in PA, agricultural and timber trespassing have a much bigger FINE and possible JAIL TIME than simple trespassing.

The fact you mention that nobody could see you at the wood pile tells me you already know that you would have something to hide while getting the wood, hence, you already know it's wrong.

I hear ya though, and the same thought has crossed my mind before, but with all the trees out there you may as well find some that you don't have to sneak around for, and won't earn you 3 hots and a cot. Let me tell you, they don't keep it wood-stove-warm in the clink.

Ask him nicely. If he says no, then don't. Pretty simple.

As suggested above, I would offer to bring him some of it. Maybe a half & half deal, or see where the talk goes from there. Or if he doesn't want it, over to take some of it somewhere else - maybe he has family or friends who could use some free wood dropped at their doorstep.

I wouldn't bring him booze out of the blue, or any other kind of bribery type stuff - never know how some will react to that, could be a bad scene.

If someone came to me and asked about trees, wood, anything that could not be seen from the road, I would know they are trespassing and that would really tick me off.
"I was trespassing on your land and I saw some trees I would want to cut."