At the higher rate, the land is closed to the public, just as other privately held lands are in Wisconsin. People must seek permission before they may enter the lands for any reason. When timber is harvested, the landowner pays 5 percent tax on the value of the harvest. Part of the money goes to the DNR to help finance the program and the rest goes to the township to offset some of the property tax income the township loses when lands are enrolled in the program. The DNR also strongly encourages landowners to work with a forester at the time of harvest.
Foresters typically charge a percentage of the value of harvested timber.
The forester acts as a contractor, representing the landowner's interests in the timber sale. The forester inventories the timber available or recommended for harvest, and marks the trees. This service is especially useful for landowners with hardwood forests, Mr. Holaday said. The forester can fill out the cutting notice, a legal notice that must be filed with the DNR at least 30 days before the harvest begins. The form may be difficult for someone with no background in forest management or timber harvesting, Mr. Holaday said.