The present invention includes an apparatus for preparing a flitch (13) for slicing where the flitch includes a staylog-engaging zone (23). The apparatus comprises a drill mechanism (102) for drilling a plurality of holes (90, 92) in the flitch (13) and a mechanism (100) for holding a flitch. The holes (90, 92) are arranged in a predetermined pattern and extend from a flitch mounting surface (18) to the veneer-producing zone (21) so as to define a boundary between the veneer-producing zone (21) and the staylog-engaging zone (23). A method for preparing a flitch (13) for slicing comprises positioning the flitch in a preparing position, and forming a plurality of dog-receiving holes (90) in the flitch (13) in a predetermined pattern so that each hole (90) extends through the staylog-engaging zone (23) to the veneer-producing zone. The flitch (13) is mounted on the staylog (10) by aligning the plurality of dog-receiving holes (90) with a plurality of dogs (54) and inserting the dogs (54) into the dog-receiving holes (90).