The Perfect Crime

This stump and treetop from twenty years ago is a warning for timber owners. The fellow who owned the timber back then never marked his boundaries, and seldom visited his property. He found out that his timber was gone when he decided to see if he had enough big trees to make a sale. Timber thieves usually don't go straight into a woods that they are stealing from; access is usually gained from a neighboring woods where they have purchased timber. A well marked boundary won't necessarily stop a thief if he sees timber on the other side, and no one is watching; and usually no one is. Even if the theft is discovered in time to connect the dots to the thief, he probably will not be prosecuted. Illinois for example, requires that intent to steal be proven. If the cutter swears that he didn't know where the boundary is, he will probably get away with making restitution, with no prosecution on his record. Landowners who grow timber need to keep in mind that some loggers steal regularly, seldom are caught, and when they are caught, they only have to pay for what they stole. You need to keep your boundaries marked well, check on your property regularly, and talk to your neighbors often to keep up with activities in your neighborhood.