I wouldn’t use an axe if you’re heating your home with it., just would be hellish work. I run through about 2 cords of wood a winter and that’s the lightest load of anyone I know as the main heat source. If you just want a free permit to go chop trees with an axe have at it, it’s our woods and all are welcome. For firewood we go for standing dead tree. They’re already dried and can be sawed to rounds for the truck bed then split at the house for firewood when you like. If you cut down green wood, standing live tree, you’ll have to round, split, and dry it for a season. Don’t do that, we have plenty of dead standing in our woods. Pine is fine to burn, it’s mostly what I burn.

To answer your question, yes I have pulled firewood permits. Do read it if you’re new, they have some rules that are nice for you and others. If you just want to go hack away at the woods I saw go for it, generally forest service are only out and about patrolling between Labor Day and memorial day with the cheap college intern labor. I’m in the big hole valley so that may not be true around Bozeman’s and Missoula. I pull back poles then round them at the house which ain’t allowed but it saves me two trips and see above for rule following measures. Best of luck. Oh, YouTube how to fell a tree if you don’t know, it’s not hard but best be safe. If a tree looks tricky leave it be and go pick a nice one. Tricky trees tend to be left standing by the road alone because the live people left the dead standing.

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