Antler Thefts Continue, Citations Written for Firewood Cutting

Ask the Deputy

SEELEY LAKE – Missoula County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Sunderland said antler thefts around Seeley Lake are again on the rise. Another issue is people cutting firewood out of season on state and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) land and are blocking the road.

Sunderland said antlers that are outside and visible are being stolen at night.

“People need to understand that antlers are worth money, actually good money. If they leave them outside where people can see them, the odds are somebody is going to come along and steal them,” said Sunderland.

Anyone who knows anything about the antler thefts are encouraged to call the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office or local law enforcement.

Sunderland said the issue with firewood cutting has been twofold, cutting out of season on state and TNC lands and blocking the roadway.

Right now, the only land available for cutting firewood is U.S. Forest Service property with a valid permit.

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) lands associated with active timber sales or permit areas and fire hazards are closed to firewood cutting. The Blackfoot-Clearwater Game Range is closed to the public from Nov. 10 – May 15. It opens at 12 p.m. May 15. Firewood cutting is not permitted on the game range, only gathering dead and downed wood for campfires.

DNRC firewood permits are available with cash for $10/cord with a two-cord minimum. They can be obtained at the Clearwater Unit from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please call ahead to ensure someone is available to issue the permit, 406-244-5857.

TNC lands are closed for cutting from Jan. 1 – May 31. Permits are available for $15 for five cords from the Seeley Lake Community Foundation office, the TNC Missoula Office and TNC work trucks. Senior permits are free.

Sunderland said there has been people cutting firewood on the Placid Lake and Woodworth Roads. Both roads primarily access state owned and TNC lands with very little federal land.

“Because of all the snow, they are dragging the trees out on the road and are blocking the ingress and egress of that roadway which is illegal,” said Sunderland. “We cite people for disorderly conduct for doing that.”

Sunderland said the Sheriff’s Office has issued citations for blocking the roads and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Game Warden Bill Koppen has cited firewood cutters for cutting without a permit.

“No matter what time of year and no matter if you have all the proper permits, you can not block a roadway, whether it is a county road or Forest Service road,” said Sunderland.

 

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