Ginseng Hunters....

[screamin6x6]

So, how's everbody doing so far this season? I've been out 3 times now and have a few ounces over a pound, wet. This is my first year back to digging after taking about the last 10 years off. It's definately slim pickings in most areas I've been to so far.

[Steven Buckley]

Thats because your neighbors hunt it year round and have scavenged every prong in Eastern Ky!

It is scarce, used to see it in every holler

[KYBOY]

Yep, I saw last year where someone had sneaked over on to my land and dug it:mad:

[WildmanWilson]

The dang horse flys just about bite a hole in my back in this heat. I get hot and my shirt sticks to my back and all of a sudden BAM...:eek: Feels like you been shot. I'll wait until it cools off a little.

[trust me]

Yep, I saw last year where someone had sneaked over on to my land and dug it:mad:

If they are digging it, you might try transplanting it to a hard-to-find place away from roads and trails.

The past two years I've been transplanting 3 and 4 prongs onto a secluded little patch of ground. It's going beautifully and until somebody stumbles on it, it'll be making me smile. I've been taking the plants away from busy ATV roads where it'll get dug while too small, or crushed under tires. The property owner has given me his blessing, too.

[Steven Buckley]

To many people on SSI hunting it year round!

[KYBOY]

If they are digging it, you might try transplanting it to a hard-to-find place away from roads and trails.

The past two years I've been transplanting 3 and 4 prongs onto a secluded little patch of ground. It's going beautifully and until somebody stumbles on it, it'll be making me smile. I've been taking the plants away from busy ATV roads where it'll get dug while too small, or crushed under tires. The property owner has given me his blessing, too.
Thats a good idea:)

[WarriorHunter]

I remember when i was about 10 my great grandpa taking me out and teaching me how to hunt it...sad to say last year our block of woods with the big seng garden. boy that place ruined me we could dig just about all we wanted in a day of good size roots. he had went out collecting seeds in the 30's and 40's and replanted them. guarded that place with his life but as he got older people started taking advantage of his trust and while they were riding horses and what have you the garden started getting picked over what gets me the most is they didnt dig many of the bigger plants just stuck to the two prong mostly

[Big_Steve]

So is there a lot of seng in central ky? I am from harlan and we did the heck out of it down there in the mountains. I don't know anyone that digs it up here or even where you would look for it in the flat country. Seng usually turned even a slow hunt into a good day when I was young.

[stikinone]

i've never hunted for ginseng, but i think i may have stumbled across some before. where is the best place to find it. like... old growth mature woods, south side of a hill, in the pines or cedars, ridge tops or valleys???

i believe i know a farm that has it in rockcastle co. but not sure where to start looking.

[grouser68]

The past coupla years while mushroom hunting I have to my surprise found alot of ginseng, and much of that older. I have'nt dug any to date, but may yet. The places where I have found it are well off the beaten path.

[briarjumper12]

Could someone post a pic?

[trust me]

Could someone post a pic?

Can do...

Here's two good sized ones with berries
http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/254/254371/pages/732747/seng1.JPG

Here's 5 small 3 prongs
http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/254/254371/pages/732747/seng3.JPG

There's a few small seng plants here...see if you can spot them.
http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/254/254371/pages/732747/seng4.JPG

[WildmanWilson]

http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/images/veg/N.Mesic_incl._tension_zone/Ginseng_fruit_VK.low.jpg (http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/images/veg/N.Mesic_incl._tension_zone/Ginseng_fruit_VK.php)

Sometimes the berries fall off but this is what you need to look for. There's several plants that looks like this but once you know what to look for you''ll pick it out pretty easy. One thing to remember is ginseng doesnt have a hard woody stem like most of the look alikes.

Also look for golden seal. Hereas a picture of the plant. Its the one with the big leaves in the middle. It may be worth about 10 to 16 dollars a pound most years. Its much more common than ginseng and grows in large patch. I have so much growing in the woods I hunt that I can't hardley find mushrooms now. I going to break down and dig it someday. Also you can sell the top of the plant if you like.

http://www.unitedplantsavers.org/uploads/images/albums/plant_images/Goldenseal_under_cultivation.jpg

[Valley Station]

Nice pictures of seng and yellar root.

[barney]

Nice pictures of seng and yellar root.
in my neck of the woods its SANG and YALER ROOT

[peckprice]

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e16/peckprice/momsaprilpics007.jpg

Speaking of ginseng and central KY, I stumbled on to this in April 06 while turkey hunting. I was hunting in Shelby County and this was in a wooded ravine (holler) between two hay fields. After I found this little patch, I got to looking for it and what I found was simply unbelievable. Big ginseng was growing everywhere. I mentioned it to the landowner and he had no idea what it looked like and no idea that it was there. He swore me to secrecy, since he knew I am a full fledged hillbilly. But I am still in awe as far as the number and size of the plants. I am guessing that it is in a lot of places that we don't look, but I wouldn't have thought it would be in Shelby County, at least not in the numbers that I found it. BTW, I didn't dig it as season wasn't in and I didn't have permission to dig.

[Valley Station]

barney,
Spelin never wuz won of mi strong subjeks. Should halv spent moor time in skool, than out diggin.

[trust me]

Peck,
Looks like that big 4 prong has been dropping seeds for a lot of years. The only place I've seen it that thick is where it's been hand planted.

[KYBOY]

I remember when I was young my uncles whole "crop" was stolen.. It wasnt hand planted but he had been watching the family farm for a long time waiting to dig it(years). A good 10 pounds wet, easily......people came in across the mountain and we never knew they were there until it was to late...

[screamin6x6]

It was going for $560/lb. at the Paintsville Stock Yard. Most I've ever gotten out of it.

[KYBOY]

Last Sat. there was about 5 different buyers down there...