Originally posted by dominator:
There is nothing "selective" about what they are doing. It is fine to timber like they do in Ohio and leave younger trees but there are NO trees left in the pictures they show where they are selective timbering in Indiana, which is totally wrong. How is that good for the wildlife as they claim????
I cast my vote
They don't clear cut enough to really help wildlife.
It just shows ignorance to make that kind of comment. You have to cut enough to open up the forest floor so that sunlight gets to it to start forest regeneration from the seeds that are already on the ground. 70% of forest wildlife species benefit from edge and early successional Forest. The state is closing Ruffed Grouse season. Why? Ruffed Grouse population has plummeted 97% because we stopped timber harvest in the Hoosier National in the 80's and not much was going on in State Forest. Bird Species like Chat, Whiporwhills, Grouse and others need both cover and food to survive that edge provide. It is the same for deer and other mammals. What food are deer going to eat in a closed canopy Forest?
Even tree species if not managed hurt wildlife. If allowed Fast growing tree species shade out slower growing species like Oak that produce mast for the animal. I am just amazed at the people who say they support wildlife but are just ignorant to the point that they support things that hurt it. Animals need food and shelter to survive. A Climax Forest benefit a few species but hurt most.