October 19, 2026
By Coastal Carolina News Staff Writer
RALEIGH, NC — North Carolina wildlife officers charged 71 individuals and seized more than 6,400 wild ginseng roots during poaching investigations conducted this summer and fall, according to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s Law Enforcement Division. Officials said many of the investigations also resulted in additional drug and weapons-related charges.
Wild ginseng harvesting is legal in North Carolina only during the annual harvest season, which runs from September 1 through December 31. State regulations also require harvesters to carry signed and dated written permission from the landowner that is valid for 180 days or less.
The large number of charges highlights the continuing black-market appeal of wild Appalachian ginseng, a native plant prized for its use in traditional herbal products and international markets.
While ginseng itself is a legal plant and is commonly sold in teas, supplements, and other products, wild roots often command significantly higher prices than cultivated varieties. Demand for naturally occurring ginseng can create a strong financial incentive for poachers seeking to profit from illegal harvests.
Wildlife officials have not indicated that ginseng is being collected for an illegal use. Instead, enforcement efforts are focused on violations involving when, where, and how the plant is harvested.
Poaching can include digging ginseng outside the legal season, collecting roots from private property without permission, harvesting plants before they have matured, or removing ginseng from protected areas where collection is prohibited.
North Carolina’s harvest restrictions are designed to protect wild ginseng populations and ensure the long-term survival of the species. Mature plants produce seeds that help sustain future growth, making legal harvest timing an important conservation tool.
The plant’s value has made it a target for illegal harvesting across the Appalachian region for decades. As prices rise and demand remains strong, wildlife officers continue to monitor harvesting activity and investigate suspected poaching operations.
The Wildlife Resources Commission said its recent investigations resulted in 71 individuals being charged and more than 6,400 ginseng roots being seized, underscoring the scale of illegal harvesting activity encountered by officers this year.
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