Log Show Events

Loading logs is one of the jobs in the woods that in years past has required a large amount of skill and physical ability. It is hard work, active work and brains are required. Logs are picked so that they will ride on the trucks safely from the landing to the mill. They are chosen so they will bring the load of logs up to the proper weight and still not exceed the legal weight limit. Not many years ago the loading crew consisted of the head loader and one or more second loaders. Logs must be picked so that they will fill the bunks of the trucks, or railroad cars, and not hang out in the highway. On many landings in this modern age of logging, logs are loaded with a shovel machine equipped with log grapples. So the skilled job of the head loader has in many cases been merged into the job requiring yet more skill and dexterity, that of the combination operator and head loader. One thing that helps make the job a bit simpler is the addition of the high stakes to the log bunks. Loading logs is an art, one of the creative arts and only a select few have the gifts to handle the job properly.

Loading logs is one of the jobs in the woods that in years past has required a large amount of skill and physical ability. It is hard work, active work and brains are required. Logs are picked so that they will ride on the trucks safely from the landing to the mill. They are chosen so they will bring the load of logs up to the proper weight and still not exceed the legal weight limit. Not many years ago the loading crew consisted of the head loader and one or more second loaders. Logs must be picked so that they will fill the bunks of the trucks, or railroad cars, and not hang out in the highway. On many landings in this modern age of logging, logs are loaded with a shovel machine equipped with log grapples. So, the skilled job of the head loader has in many cases been merged into the job requiring yet more skill and dexterity, that of the combination operator and head loader. One thing that helps make the job a bit simpler is the addition of the high stakes to the log bunks. Loading logs is an art, one of the creative arts and only a select few have the gifts to handle the job properly.

This is an event that gives the log truck driver another chance to compete in this show. What he has to do – Start at the front bumper, grab 2 chains from the chain deck, throw them over the load and secure the binders. Each chain must be within 6 feet of the bunks. Time is involved and time stops when he returns to the bumper of the truck.

This is an event that tests the truck driver’s ability to back the truck and trailer through an obstacle course. Stakes are driven into the ground to outline the course. Any driver knocking over one of these stakes will be penalized. The driver who is able to back his truck and trailer between the stakes in the quickest time will be the winner. Requires eyes in the back of the head, a delicate foot on the throttle, cool but expert judgment, a knowledge of what the trailer is going to do and a bit of luck! The driver can only look into his side mirrors.

Each team splices an eye in a length of cable (wire rope). They use marlin spikes and hammers. The splice must be good, or the team is disqualified. Before the contest starts, a loop is formed in the cable, and spiked to the splicing block. At the signal, teams begin splicing and when finished they throw up their hands. This is a timed event and the best time wins.

We have a target cut from the end of a log. The center of the target is 60 inches off the ground. The contestant must be 20 feet or more from the target, and the axe head must weigh 2 ½ pounds or more and have at least a 24-inch handle. The axe is thrown at the target; the value of the bull’s eye is 5 points. The second circle is 4 points and so on down the line. Contestants will get three throws for record. The highest possible score per day is 15.

On each side of the arena, you’ll notice four alder poles or logs sticking up in the air. Each of these poles will have a red mark on them. Ahead of each pole will be a cone, this is the target. The pole must be cut off above the red line…the falling pole must hit the cone. If it misses, a 20 second penalty is levied against the contestant. Fastest time wins…You’ll enjoy this event.

The object here is to climb from the ground, 90 feet to the tops of the spar trees in the fastest possible time. Time will start at the starting signal and be over when the climber has rung the bell at the top of the tree. These are the men who climb and top the trees in the woods. They also hang the rigging in those trees. The belt and spurs they use in this contest are the same, or similar, to the ones they use at work. Notice that these fellows never stop once they start the race. They climb with their legs and pull with their hands and arms. Watch this contest closely. It gets done quickly.

Starting from a small log, chokermen run to the large log and crawl or jump over it to get to their choker. After grabbing the choker, they drag it back over the large log to the small log, set the choker and run back to the large log.

In this event the man, the saw and the wood conspire together to make a winner or loser. The man must be good, the saw must be filed exactly right. These men use a seven-foot bucking saw to cut a slice from the end of a log 26 inches in diameter. Time starts at the signal and stops when the block hits the ground. Each contestant may have a helper to oil his saw and put a wedge in the cut.

There were a few young men showing interest in hand bucking, so why not encourage them with a novice event that they could compete in? You’ll see these guys in the regular hand bucking event in a couple of years and some new eager young men taking their place in this event.

This event starts at the sound of the starting signal. The contestant must cut halfway through the log from one side, then turn around and complete the back side. Time stops when the block hits the ground.

This event demands the most in nerve, stamina and skill from the contestant. Armed with a topping saw tied to his belt, the climber at the signal, climbs to the top of the tree. There he will adjust the slack in his rope, insert the topping saw in the starting cut and saw a slice of wood from the top of the tree. Time starts at the signal and is done when the sawed-off wood hits the ground.

This event is similar to the relay event but is completed by one man instead of a team. It consists of Choker Setting, Hand Bucking, Standing Block Chop and Chainsaw Bucking. This event is done by one man. The fastest time wins.

The rules are the same as Speed Climbing, except that the pole is only 70 feet high. Contestants may not enter both Novice Speed Climbing and Speed Climbing. The age requirement is 16 years and over.

The rules are pretty much the same as the regular and novice speed climbing. They climb a much shorter tree with the time starting the second their foot leaves the ground and ends with the ringing of the bell. We have a 30 ft. level for beginners and a 50 ft. level for the more advanced young climbers.

We came up with this event to give the ladies a chance for a trophy. They do a lot of work around here and deserve a little of the glory as well. The event involves a co-ed team pulling on the double bucking saw and takes great team work. BOTH contestants need to do their part, or the saw won’t cut.

This contest is to test competitors balance as they run across a floating logs “Hope you don’t get wet” and grab a choker then run back across, set the choker and touch the starting log. You’ll like this event because it’s tough not to get wet.

This contest has the least number of rules of any event in the Log Show. The idea is to cut off the end of a log in the fastest possible time. Any piece of equipment that can be carried in by two people is allowed. Some of the saws you will see will represent an investment of thousands of dollars. The timekeepers are real important here because a tenth of a second makes a great difference.

At the signal they race to the top, ring the bell, and get down to good old Mother Earth as fast as they can. Keep your eyes glued to them because this happens fast.

The rules and judging decisions are similar to regular log rolling events. We are proud to see this sport continue its popularity.

Rules of the Loggers against kids tug-o-war

1. Maximum combined weight 1500 human pounds per team, including clothing and footwear.
2. All competition will be conducted using 60 foot x1 1/4″ rope.
3. Gloves are permissible.
4. There will be a 10 minute time limit for each match, the winner is declared when: A. Entire team has crossed center line, or end of the rope. B. Time expires and the team with the most rope in their direction wins.
5. The rope shall not be knotted, tied or wrapped around any team member.
6. Sitting down as an individual or team tactic will not be allowed. Members must make every effort to stay on their feet at all times.
7. Coaches will not be allowed to touch the rope or make physical contact with any of the members of the team.
Any violation as judged by officials will result in the loss of that team member for the duration of the pull.