Gary Blanchard

Starker Forests, Inc. is a family owned tree farming enterprise with a land base of 67,000 acres, all in western Oregon. Since its beginning in 1936 when T.J Starker bought his first timber tract, the family has concentrated on growing and tending young forests. During the '30s, '40s, and '50s, T.J. and his son, Bruce, actively shopped for cutover land that was in good condition and had good prospects for management. They purchased land scattered over all of the northwest Oregon counties. Through trades and consolidations, Starker Forests, Inc. has reduced its ownership to only five counties, but it is still scattered. The largest blocks are 6,000 to 7,000 acres. Most of the ownership is within a one-hours drive of Corvallis.

Because of the fractured ownership pattern, the Starkers have many neighbors, both public and private. We have reciprocal road use agreements with most of our federal and industrial neighbors and a variety of arrangements with the rest. Access agreements with our neighbors are mutually beneficial.

The Starker lands are generally available for recreational use if the user obtains a free written permit. Every year we issue about 1,400 permits to the public. Each permit may entitle from one to over 100 users to the enjoyment of our intensively managed properties. The number of permittees covered by a permit depends on the activity. Mountain bike races and youth activities are some of the larger group uses. Movie making and snake research are a couple of the more unusual uses.

Hunting accounts for most of the permits issued each year. An increasing number of hunters are seeking special uses. In recent years we have cooperated with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and hunter groups to provide preferred access areas for master hunters, disabled hunters, bow hunters and hike-in-only hunters. A fee is charged for firewood removal and a few other forest products permits. We are concerned about liability in the event of a mishap, but the permit form is also a disclaimer. We restrict use in areas where there may be hazards such as those near active logging operations. We also limit permits during periods of high fire danger.

Our Beaver Creek Tree Farm, south of Philomath, is a popular area for off-road vehicle use. Our ownership is intermingled in a patchwork pattern with other private landowners and the Bureau of Land Management. For years we struggled with our desire to accommodate the motorcyclists and four wheelers and our concerns about the environmental damage they cause. About 10 years ago we worked out an arrangement with the Flat Mountain Riders club (200+ members) and a local off-road vehicle shop, Fred's Honda. Fred's issues the permits in exchange for a commitment from each club member to perform at least two days of trail maintenance each year. Starker Forests directs the maintenance. It isn't a perfect arrangement, but we have been successful in limiting the use to spring and fall, thus avoiding use during the summer fire season and the winter muddy period.

The Starkers have always wanted the public to know that good stewardship of the land is important. T. J. said the reason he installed gates at tree farm entrances was because he wanted people to know he cared about the land behind the gates. When users of the land pass through a gate we hope they realize they have entered an area that should be respected. Information signs are posted at strategic locations. Instead of a simple "NO TRESPASSING" sign, T. J. chose to word his boundary notices to instruct the reader as well as inform them of the restrictions.

The Starker boundary notice reads as follows:

THE LAND BEHIND THIS SIGN IS PRIVATE PROPERTY AND TRESPASS OF ANY KIND IS FORBIDDEN. THE RIGHT TO USE OR REMOVE TIMBER, FERNS, GAME, OR OTHER PRODUCTS, OR TO USE THE ROADS MUST BE OBTAINED. STARKER FORESTS INC., CORVALLIS, OREGON.

We also post the gate or tract name and our address and phone number at most gate locations.

We will probably always experience some vandalism and other unwanted use, but we are generally pleased with our permittees. Every year we receive reports from neighbors and permittees about marijuana plantations, plugged culverts, poaching, firewood theft, or other problems, but we seldom get negative comments about our forest management-even about clearcutting. We also receive numerous thank you notes and an occasional box of cookies, homemade candy or smoked fish.

The Starkers have been writing entry permits for over 50 years. We know there are many uses of the land by people who don't ask permission, but we have tried to make the permittees feel special by receiving them courteously and giving them maps and other information to enhance their visit to our forests. We view the permit process as an opportunity to "put a face" on our business. If the contacts are made properly, the permittees will feel a connection to the people who own and manage our land and will hopefully share our concern for it.

Gary Blanchard is chief forester for Starker Forests, Inc., Corvallis, Ore. He can be reached at 541-929-2477 or gary@starkerforests.com.