The Texas A&M Forest Service and the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office are urging landowners to remain vigilant following multiple reports of timber theft in southern Lamar County.
Officials say individuals have approached landowners, verbally requesting permission to harvest trees. In several cases, those individuals allegedly harvested more timber than agreed upon or crossed onto neighboring properties without consent.
Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigators have launched an investigation and are reviewing timber harvest records, including scale tickets, loader sheets, and financial statements.
“Our priorities in this case are to investigate the reports of timber theft in order to provide restitution while also protecting landowners from future cases,” said Jonathon Keller, Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigator. He urged landowners to check their property for any trees harvested without consent and report suspicious activity.
Officials advise landowners to take precautions during timber sales, including:
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Consulting a forester and signing a contract before harvesting.
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Regularly visiting their property.
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Monitoring cutting activity through trusted individuals or trail cameras.
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Insisting on multiple bids and checking references for timber buyers.
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Clearly marking property lines to prevent encroachment.
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Ensuring harvesters adhere to contract terms.
Landowners unfamiliar with selling timber are encouraged to contact their local Texas A&M Forest Service office for assistance in securing a professional resources manager to estimate values and find buyers.
Suspected timber theft or suspicious activity can be reported to the Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Timber Theft Hotline at 1-800-364-3470. In 2025 alone, Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement has recovered over $131,000 for landowners affected by timber theft.
