HIGHLAND COUNTY, Ohio — Two individuals were found guilty in Hillsboro Municipal Court after they were caught illegally harvesting ginseng on private property without permission, according to a report from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
State Wildlife Officer Mathew Bourne, stationed in Clark County, and State Wildlife Officer Gus Kiebel, based in Adams County, responded to a complaint about ginseng digging on unauthorized land in Highland County. Upon arriving at the scene, the officers discovered a vehicle and two suspects. The suspects were found in possession of a bag containing ginseng roots, which had been unlawfully removed from the landowner’s property.
The officers seized two digging tools and a total of 152 ginseng roots from the individuals. In Hillsboro Municipal Court, both suspects were found guilty of the illegal ginseng harvest. They were ordered to pay $500 in fines each and $271 in court costs. Additionally, the harvested ginseng was forfeited and will be returned to the rightful landowner.
American ginseng is a slow-growing perennial herb that is found throughout Ohio in small, scattered populations. It is highly valued for its medicinal properties. Ohio is one of 19 states with a ginseng management program, which allows for the legal export of ginseng. The program allows the state to maintain a sustainable yield of ginseng, so harvesting of the plant is not detrimental to the survival of the species. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Division of Wildlife guide ginseng harvest and trade regulations in Ohio.
In Ohio, ginseng can only be harvested between September 1 and December 31, annually. Harvest is limited to mature ginseng plants (at least three leaves) and regulations stipulate that harvesters are required to plant the seeds of collected plants where they were found. Ginseng diggers must have written permission to collect ginseng on private and public lands.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife regulates ginseng harvest and sale in Ohio. A ginseng dealer permit issued by the Division of Wildlife is required to buy ginseng for resale or export, and ginseng must be certified by the Division of Wildlife before it is exported from Ohio. Ohio wildlife officers and investigators have statewide authority to enforce the state’s ginseng harvest and sale laws.
