The present invention includes an apparatus for preparing a flitch for slicing where the flitch includes a veneer-producing zone and a staylog-engaging zone. The apparatus comprises a drill mechanism for drilling a plurality of holes in the flitch and a mechanism for holding a flitch in a predetermined orientation relative to the drill mechanism. The holes are arranged in a predetermined pattern and extend from a flitch mounting surface to the veneer-producing zone so as to define a boundary between the veneer-producing zone and the staylog-engaging zone. A method for preparing a flitch for slicing comprises the steps of positioning the flitch in a preparing position and forming a plurality of dog-receiving holes in the flitch in a predetermined pattern so that each hole extends through the staylog-engaging zone to the veneer-producing zone. The flitch is mounted on the staylog by aligning the plurality of dog-receiving holes with a plurality of dogs coupled to the staylog and inserting the dogs into the dog-receiving holes and moving the flitch into engagement with the dogs.