It is almost unimaginable to think about how the noble job of the long-ago lumberjack has evolved into something so interesting that it has captured the imagination of many young people who love the outdoors and outdoor physical activities! How did this happen? How did the job of the lumberjack become a logger or the now-current terminology of a timber harvest professional? Let’s examine this in a bit more detail.

Early History

Over a hundred years ago, lumberjacks were common fixtures in the mountainous Northeastern part of the United States and then moved on to the Upper Midwest and eventually to the Northwest Pacific Coast. They lived mostly in camps and followed the ongoing pursuit of lumber for the growing country of the United States. These individuals had a reputation as being hard-working, physically fit, proud of the work they performed, and each one a unique individual.

The end of World War II and the influx of heavy-duty vehicles back into the country following the war led to easier transportation for the lumberjack and the eventual disappearance of that title from the logging industry, replaced by the occupation title of ‘logger.’ Of course, in these politically correct times, this job is now called ‘timber harvest professional’.

Nature of the Work

The basic nature of the work of the logger is all about cutting down a tree. After foresters mark trees to be cut down, loggers usually work in pairs to fell marked trees. The chainsaw is the most common piece of equipment that is used. There are several techniques to cutting and downing a tree; however, most consist of two basic cuts known as the undercut and the backcut. The undercut is the first notch done to remove a wedge-shaped area on the side where the logger wants the tree to fall. With this stroke, the logger usually removes only one-fourth to one-third of the diameter of the tree. The backcut is then applied to fell the tree.

Competition

If the term ‘lumberjack’ is used at this time, it most likely refers to someone who is a part of the competitive sport that evolved from the old lumber camps that named a ‘top’ lumberjack – that activity is now called ‘logger sports.’ This is such a wonderful way to recognize the priceless history of the lumberjack in American history and continue this heritage by hosting a competition that draws many outdoor enthusiasts to join and experience this century-old occupation!

This is not something that is easy to do. The person who attempts this must be dedicated to sufficient time and practice to hone their skills to become a successful lumberjack competitor. To get an edge on the competition, the participant must know the rules and regulations of the sports as well as the right kind of equipment to use in the competition. Here are some pointers that will greatly help any ‘wanna-be’ logger become a lumberjack competitor!

• Dedication – Sufficient time must be dedicated to practice of the necessary skills with the primary equipment used in the competition such as the saw and the ax, as many competitors spent numerous hours doing the same. Dependent upon the goals and the time constraints of the competition, the training can be time consuming, muck like having a full-time lumberjack’s job!

• Research - There are specific rules and regulations for individual contests within a competition that must be followed. Individual contests may include ax chopping, ax throwing, individual sawing, pole-climbing and log-rolling. Also, within the competition a lumberjack uses specific tools to compete, making the knowledge of various weights of the axes and saws absolutely necessary.

• Focus – It is advisable to watch several competitions and inquire about a particular contest that is appealing before beginning any actual competition. Focus may then be directed to specific practices that will hone the skills necessary for that particular contest.

Education

There are colleges and universities that promote lumberjack education and actually include this profession as part of their summer school class offers. The course is intended to cater to individuals who have a passion and interest in this outdoor job and help them meet the requirements for either a lumberjack’s occupation or competition in these outdoor contests. This is popular on television thanks to the ‘American Loggers’ show.

The romantic perspective of the job of the lumberjack has evolved from the reality of the actual job to the thrills of the competitive events of speed climbing, chopping and birling that is held in the United States both collegiately and professionally. To become an expert in this field will always demand personal dedication, research, practice and focus. To those who achieve their goals in this sport, they are providing an everlasting link to that hardworking individual who worked long ago in the American forests – the lumberjack!