I would sure consider joining you guys for a gathering type selling. I think back in the old days the trappers got together like that and sold their fur and they called it a rondiview.
I think me and my partner together have close to 8 lbs (once all dry). He has quit hunting now since bow season has started - he loves that bow hunting. I may still get in a few more 3-4 hunts depending on when the seng is too far gone so we could end up with closer to 9 lbs together.
My Brother and his buddy hunt seng together and would probably want me to bring their seng over for selling. I could get with a few other diggers I know around here and might be able to bring 20-25 lbs for selling.
Now our Middle Tennessee seng is not quite the quality as your Mountain seng - we probably have 3x the number roots in a pound as you guys do but we do have a few nice ones in the mix that were around 1.5-2 oz when green.
One problem might be \"WHEN\" to gather and sell.
The price is rising right now and may go on up towards the end of the buy/sell season (which is March 30) here in TN. Not sure about KY or VA.
Another issue to work out would be \"WHERE\" to meet that would be somewhat convienient for all of us.
It is about a 4.5 hour drive for me to Knoxville TN but now we love to go over and visit the Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg area and it would not take much sweet talking to get my Wife interested in a long weekend trip over there.
They have lots to do there including Dollywood, a nice Aquarium, all kinds of shows and attractions and good eating too, and those sweet Smokey Mountains.
Our Kids are out of School March 21-25 for Spring Break.
That might be an ideal time to sell. If the supply is a bit short (with the early die off this year being reported in many areas) the price could get on up there that last week or so of the buy/sell season.
If we could get several buyers to come and bid on our seng that might work out nicely. In a situation like that the local buyers could be there and have the guys they sell to there as well and perhaps they could work together to give us the best price possible when bidding on the different lots.
Sounds like the main issues to get worked out would be agreeing on When & Where to meet, then getting the Buyers lined up and a bunch of us diggers to bring our seng for selling.
Good Luck with getting all of that going.
TNhunter