New to the site - hard time getting logs for milling

[pstirpe]

Hello All, I'm excited to be a part of this Forum. It looks very informative and filled with good people. I live in Southern Ontario, Canada and have a Woodmizer LT40HD and been part time milling for about 10+ years now, I would considerate it more hobby milling than anything else however with that said I have been looking to step it up to a more serious business. The challenges I face mostly is finding logs to mill, I am sure others are in the same boat. The property I am on we have pretty much milled everything we can. Looking outside our property I have approached many land owners on paying them for logs they have taken down and it just seems to go to deaf ears, they would rather burn it or sell it for firewood. Any wood lot in our area worth selectively harvesting is or already has been done by large logging outfits. I have been thinking more and more lately of buying a truck load of logs to mill. 

My questions:

1) has anyone had success buying logs from a large forestry company and still be able to turn a profit?
2) Can anyone provide a good route/plan to buying whole sale logs?

Any other help or information would be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you

[Bradm]

Where in Southern Ontario are you?  To some people anything south of Ottawa is Southern Ontario.

Are you looking to buy logs and sell your own finished boards or setup for contract milling?

[woodmills1]

Two thoughts that worked for me.  Take the nail/iron filled logs for the short money or hook up with the urban tree guys and get some good and some bad.

[Erick13]

I've been told to call Townsend Lumber in Tillsonburg, they will resell logs apparently.

[pstirpe]

Where in Southern Ontario are you?  To some people anything south of Ottawa is Southern Ontario.

Are you looking to buy logs and sell your own finished boards or setup for contract milling?

I'm located an hour north of Toronto, Tottenham. 
I am looking more to buy logs and sell finished boards, as this is part time it's easier to manage with work. I have a small kiln set up already.

[curved-wood]

Buying the logs is a very important step to have a successfull business. My first year being professional was not very profitable just because of the way I was buying my logs.  Now I buy from only a few ''honest'' professional logger. I found it easier to have the grade I want with professional. Many loggers want to push the wood they have on their hands instead of what I was asking for. The grade of your logs will be in relation of your market 

[moodnacreek]

Getting logs is a lot like girlfriends. When you have none it tends to stay that way. But when you get lucky, here they come.  If you are on a well traveled road, try stacking logs on your frontage . People don't listen but they see especially if there is no cell phone service. Also when buying from a logger you may haft to take some logs he needs to move. In other words finds markets for lumber you didn't want. This is hard to do but these are the kind of problems you try to deal with and many more.

[Bradm]

If you were west of Toronto I could give you a few names, but I'm not sure for your area.  Best approach would be finding out who the reputable loggers  are in your area or giving tree removal guys the option of leaving take downs for you.

Also, since it's half load season, many loggers aren't transporting their logs.