I also suspect that the DNR is getting attacked from the "enviro-wackos" regarding timber sales ... hence why the DNR don't feel threatened by our "use" as opposed to the clearcut timber sales.
IMO, clearcuts suck, but I also understand that it is the most economical way to harvest. I'd prefer a "harvest the money trees" and sustain the "future money trees" approach.
In my case, I have (and like) the wildlife in my little 5 acres. I probably also have close to $50k of "money" trees. As a "responsible land owner", I'd rather bank $500/yr average simply thinning forever (e.g. every 10 years take $5k off). But that is because I have "trails" that make it feasible :awesomework:
To further the case, about 5 years ago, I had some 20 or so trees taken down (on about 1 acre of my land). I did a 40/60 split with the logger (40 to me, but he also pulled stumps). I banked money, he banked money, "danger to buildings" trees were removed, and you would not even notice! That "economical" solution was a win-win for me as a land owner and also for the logger ... (and yes, the logger wanted his cut on another $10k of trees where I had to say NO).
So, "thinning vs clearcuts" can be an "economical" solution for the DNR too!
IOW, perhaps the DNR should consider a "thin/harvest" policy for the "money" trees and require the buyer to skid them out via narrow "trails".
This suggestion might also get the "enviro-wackos" also to agree and side WITH us.
The "Timber Buyers" tho would fight this! (hence why it needs to be a combined effort).
If done properly tho, those "skid trails" could become OHV trails! Since they need to exist (and be maintained) for this "sustainable harvest" policy.
So:
* thin not clearcut (good for OHV and enviro)
* "skid trails" designed to minimize "enviro-damage" and maintained for OHV use
Thoughts?
An aside ...
FWIW, at my place I have a mated pair of Pileated Woodpeckers that live in the area ... when they get a sniff of insects under some bark, it looks like chainsaw chips flying. They are big (and very kewl) birds and do more "de-barking" in 5 minutes than any one 4x4 user does in a lifetime. I was watching them one day while cutting steel outside ... with my noise and the "woody woodpecker" calls, it was hard to tell any difference! (and they didn't care when I'd cut a pipe, they just continued to debark the tree they were going at).