The line transect method, its underlying assumptions, and the spatial patterning of down and standing pieces of dead wood were examined at the Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest in central Montana. The accuracy of the line transect method was not determined due to conflicting results of t-tests and ordinary least squares regression. In most instances down pieces were randomly distributed along transect segments. Down pieces generally had a clumped distribution of their directional orientation. Standing pieces were usually found to be randomly distributed within belt transects. Consistent clumping scale of down or standing pieces was not found when studied using the paired quadrat variance method.