26.05 Timber theft.
(1) Definition. In this section, “raw forest products" means forest products not altered by a manufacturing process off the land from which they are taken and includes seedlings, saplings, shrubs, whole-tree chips, boughs, logs, pilings, posts, poles, cordwood products, pulpwood, fuel wood and Christmas trees.
(2) Consent of owner required. No person may cut, remove or transport raw forest products or direct the cutting, removal or transportation of raw forest products without the consent of the owner.
(3) Penalties.
(a) A person who violates this section or a rule promulgated under this section is subject to a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $10,000.
(b) Instead of the forfeiture provided under par. (a), a person who intentionally violates this section, or a rule promulgated under this section, may be punished under s. 943.20 for theft.
(c) In addition to any other penalty, a person who violates this section, or a rule promulgated under this section, is liable for the reasonable costs incurred to establish the volume and value of the raw forest products cut, removed or transported.
History: 1981 c. 67; 1999 a. 190.
Structure Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 26 - Protection of forest lands and forest productivity.
26.03 - Harvest of raw forest products.
26.06 - Enforcement, seizure and sale of materials.
26.07 - Money, how disposed of.
26.09 - Civil liability for unauthorized cutting, removal or transportation of raw forest products.
26.10 - Reports by the department to the board of commissioners of public lands.
26.105 - Forestry and fire prevention study.
26.11 - Forest fires; department jurisdiction; procedure.
26.13 - Town fire wardens; duties, expenses.
26.14 - Forest fires, authority of fire fighters, compensation, penalties, civil liability.
26.145 - Fire suppression aids.
26.15 - Responsibility of wardens and citizens.
26.18 - District attorneys to prosecute.
26.19 - Destruction of forest protection equipment or notices.
26.20 - Fire protection devices.
26.205 - Tractors, spark arresters.
26.21 - Civil liability for forest fires.
26.30 - Forest insects and diseases; department jurisdiction; procedure.
26.36 - Forest energy resources.
26.37 - Lake states wood utilization consortium.
26.39 - Forestry education and training.
26.40 - Forestry education grant program.
26.42 - Forestry diversification.
26.97 - Law enforcement and police power.