TOPIC: The intensity of the season

I think that we've come to the end of the digging season just about everywhere now and while we are still savoring the good hunts that we had I would just like to encourage everyone that has really had a great time this year to think about the possibility of doing something to help the ginseng population increase so that all of us as well as our younger diggers that will be coming on can enjoy this activity as much as we have. I'm sure that just about every body planted back berries that were clinging to plants they dug , but I am thinking that it's going to take much more than that. This is my 15th year of planting ginseng seeds in the mountains as well as rootlets and the total is way over 100,000 now. I have mentioned that I had never dug any of these plants until this year. Others have , but not one for me. I feel that we have got to take some serious steps, if we can, beyond just planting back berries. Some may have to do this on private land, and some on other land. Where ever you dig would be a good place to start.
I talked with the game warden in the county where I hunted the most this season and I told him that I had been planting ginseng in the Forest for years. I told him that I would like to continue doing this, but if he felt that he had to cite me for doing it that I would stop. I told him that others are doing the same thing and have been for years. It is the only thing that keeps ginseng from going extinct in the Appalachian Mountains. He said that he understood what I was saying and that he would not prosecute anyone that he caught planting ginseng seeds. A US Forest Service Lady was with him at the time. I am not encouraging anyone to break laws, but to find ways to help benefit this plant. It may be just turning in poachers or people who dig small roots. If you can afford to buy any amount of seeds, I know that it will help. It will also extend the season and you will feel a sense of accomplishment when you see those ginseng babies coming up next Spring.
I know that I'm not the only one who has thoughts to offer on helping this plant survive and be in healthy numbers every where, so chime in.

Hugh

Hugh u r a very dedicated senger and i for one applaud ur efforts! I've been starting patches 4 years in the mtns. where i grew up. This year me and my dad will be buying sum seed to try and harvest ourselves 10 years or more doen the road,be nice if everyone done just a small amount in the next few years.I know ur like me and would love to think some young man or woman dug their first root from seed that we planted 20 years ago! THAT excites me!!!

I'm with you guys, been doing this for several years now, and honestly a lot of those cultivated seeds dont make it past the first couple years, but enough of them do to keep me doin it

I don't go huntin' like you guys do. However, I think any of you guys that can take some of your profits from diggin, and turn around to purchase seeds, and replant them out there... you guys are taking the higher road.

Nice post Hugh,
I am glad fellas like you are doing what you are doing by planting all that seed.
Latt

Thanks Latt, and others who responded. I think the better answer is found in the post that you made \"How much you dig?\" Not only did several tell how much seng they dug, but they also pointed out how much they are contributing back into the forest as well. This is where the difference is going to be made. I know that some will be lost to disease and some will be lost to poachers, but some will be dug by honest diggers and be replaced at the same time. This is true \"stewardship\" of the plant and it gives it a future for all of us. I believe that every digger can afford $25.00- $50.00 worth of seed and a day later on in the season to plant the seed or rootlets. Fearing that someone else is going to dig it up will not solve the problem. Educating them to at least plant seed back will help immensely. Thanks for everyone's response and thanks for taking the interest in trying to save this plant.
Hugh