MADISON - Whether the struggling economy or the temptation for easy money, the increase in poaching of wild ginseng, a highly marketable but very sensitive plant, has state officials worried. While the market has declined in recent years, ginseng prices are still attractive at about $350 per pound.
Department of Natural Resources officials report there have been several arrests for illegal ginseng activities during the recent season that ended Nov. 1. Perhaps the most prominent occurred in Vernon County where two harvesters were caught with approximately $7,000 worth of illegally obtained ginseng.
"We're starting to see a lot of that now," says Shawna Stringham, Vernon County conservation warden. "You can get fast cash right away," she reports. "We've given out 17 violations this year."
Stringham laments the impact of the illegal activity on the economy in Vernon County. The roots, she says, are getting smaller due to over-harvesting and therefore not as valuable. "They're not seeing the big root."
"The sad part of it is ginseng is a big thing for Vernon County," she says. To some people here, Stringham suggests, the ginseng harvest is part of their "bread and butter."
American ginseng is a long-lived perennial plant, commonly living 30 or more years if not harvested earlier. As with most such plants, according to DNR officials, ginseng produces only a few seeds each year. The plants generally do not begin producing seeds until four to five years of age, with the older plants producing more seeds.
"In order to sustain the long-term survival of the species, it is critical that plants be harvested only once they have matured and have had an opportunity to set seed for several years," said Kelly Kearns, plant conservation program manager for the DNR Bureau of Endangered Resources. Wisconsin law limits harvest to older plants with three or more leaves, or prongs, and a fruiting stalk, Kearns explains.
Recognizing that over-harvest can quickly diminish the quality of the plant and perhaps lead to its extinction, the wild ginseng harvest is tightly regulated in Wisconsin. The marketing of ginseng is governed by international trade agreements, which require that exporting states demonstrate that its harvest will not pose a threat to the resource.
Landowners may obtain a harvester's license to dig wild ginseng on their own land for free while other state residents must pay $15.75. The non-resident fee is $30.75. Gathering ginseng on public lands is prohibited.
Anyone buying at least eight ounces of ginseng for the purpose of resale is considered a dealer and must purchase a dealer's license. License fees range from $100 for transactions involving 100 pounds or less, up to $1,000 for unlimited amounts.
Researchers have been reporting decreases in ginseng populations and root size in recent years. In addition to harvest pressure, ginseng plants face many other obstacles in their attempt to reach a reproductive age, according to Kearns.
Deer, turkeys and rodents may feed on the seeds or nip off the plants. Ginseng is also put at risk by extreme weather conditions, disease and exotic plants such as garlic mustard, buckthorn and honeysuckle.
Demand remains high for the plant despite lowered quality, however. Most harvested roots are exported to China where they are used in traditional medicine concoctions.
- Lee Fahrney is the Monroe Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
Department of Natural Resources officials report there have been several arrests for illegal ginseng activities during the recent season that ended Nov. 1. Perhaps the most prominent occurred in Vernon County where two harvesters were caught with approximately $7,000 worth of illegally obtained ginseng.
"We're starting to see a lot of that now," says Shawna Stringham, Vernon County conservation warden. "You can get fast cash right away," she reports. "We've given out 17 violations this year."
Stringham laments the impact of the illegal activity on the economy in Vernon County. The roots, she says, are getting smaller due to over-harvesting and therefore not as valuable. "They're not seeing the big root."
"The sad part of it is ginseng is a big thing for Vernon County," she says. To some people here, Stringham suggests, the ginseng harvest is part of their "bread and butter."
American ginseng is a long-lived perennial plant, commonly living 30 or more years if not harvested earlier. As with most such plants, according to DNR officials, ginseng produces only a few seeds each year. The plants generally do not begin producing seeds until four to five years of age, with the older plants producing more seeds.
"In order to sustain the long-term survival of the species, it is critical that plants be harvested only once they have matured and have had an opportunity to set seed for several years," said Kelly Kearns, plant conservation program manager for the DNR Bureau of Endangered Resources. Wisconsin law limits harvest to older plants with three or more leaves, or prongs, and a fruiting stalk, Kearns explains.
Recognizing that over-harvest can quickly diminish the quality of the plant and perhaps lead to its extinction, the wild ginseng harvest is tightly regulated in Wisconsin. The marketing of ginseng is governed by international trade agreements, which require that exporting states demonstrate that its harvest will not pose a threat to the resource.
Landowners may obtain a harvester's license to dig wild ginseng on their own land for free while other state residents must pay $15.75. The non-resident fee is $30.75. Gathering ginseng on public lands is prohibited.
Anyone buying at least eight ounces of ginseng for the purpose of resale is considered a dealer and must purchase a dealer's license. License fees range from $100 for transactions involving 100 pounds or less, up to $1,000 for unlimited amounts.
Researchers have been reporting decreases in ginseng populations and root size in recent years. In addition to harvest pressure, ginseng plants face many other obstacles in their attempt to reach a reproductive age, according to Kearns.
Deer, turkeys and rodents may feed on the seeds or nip off the plants. Ginseng is also put at risk by extreme weather conditions, disease and exotic plants such as garlic mustard, buckthorn and honeysuckle.
Demand remains high for the plant despite lowered quality, however. Most harvested roots are exported to China where they are used in traditional medicine concoctions.
- Lee Fahrney is the Monroe Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
