Personal Post

Today I lost the best friend that I had....my hunting dog Toby.

I will not gush all over the place, but he was the only "true" man's BEST Friend I have ever experienced.

December 2000.  Eight Weeks Old

Oct 2009 Nine years old

He died on the day that he was born 10 years ago.

Damn I hate digging graves!

5Rivers Jim

Quick Update on Current Ginseng Price

Dan Wiebke, of Wiebke Fur and Trading Company just emailed me:

Hi Jim,

 

FYI wild ginseng price has now moved up to $550/lb for decent wild root.

 

Dan

If you have been holding for a better price, now may be the time to consider selling.


Contact your local buyer, or give Dan and his crew a call or email, and see what they can do for you.

Make sure to look at this post on the shipping of Ginseng that I did with Dan about sending your roots, and the documentation needed to sell if you are in another state other then Wisconsin or Minnesota.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profit Success!

5Rviers Jim

$15,000 Winter Project

Well I hope that I didn't get all of the readers to excited about today's post. It covers a commodity that is readily available all over the US and Canada.

I am writing another free report that will cover this Wild Harvest Profit product, and I should have it done in the next few days...but I am going to let you know what it is now....

DIAMOND WILLOW

One harvester finds stands of this tree during the Winter in low areas and marsh lands. He takes a saw, some heavy duty pruning shears, a sled, some rope and some "muscle" and cuts these trees and brings them home to finish making into his kit's that he sells during the Summer Home shows in his area. 

He has been dong this for a number of years and has been making a "nice" slice of change each season. He averages $15,000 doing this activity.  It is not a get rich quick rip off, just good honest work, and hustle on his part.

I'll go more in-depth with my report that will be available to my readers shortly.

Personal Observation:

I check everyday for information throughout the US and Canada on markets, wild harvestable commodities, tips, tools, and techniques for the Wild Harvester or Forager. 

I post some of that information here....BUT....there is a huge amount of BS covering this activity all over the internet and among certain environmental groups. 

A tremendous amount of information is way outdated. If a harvester were to follow those outdated rules or guides they would be in serious trouble either with the law, or trying to sell a commodity that is no longer in demand or the market has died.

Some environmental groups think that "anything" that comes from a wild harvest or forage is an attack on Nature and is depleting the order of the world. They advocate making any wild harvested item sold for a profit illegal. No matter what it is...pine straw, hickory nuts, blackberries....you name it.

The reason for the above paragraphs is that this is OUR profession, and that profession depends on current information on the legal aspects of wild harvesting, and also on the ethical guidelines of profitable harvesting.

Follow that laws that cover whatever commodity that you pursue.

Follow sustainable harvesting practices to assure future products. 

Be proud that you partake of one of this country's oldest and honorable activities...Wild Harvesting For Profit.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profit Success.

5Rivers Jim

To get your free report on "Essential Tools for the Wild Harvester" click here or just fill out the form on the right and it will be on it's way

New Topic for Wild Harvest for Profits

The number of  wild harvesters and foragers that have read the interview with Dan Wiebke, of Wiebke Fur and Trading Company has been great.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions, make sure you comment here on the blog.

I have 18 different things that can be harvested and foraged legally from the wild, that you can make a profit from.

My next post will cover one of the activities that can be done best over the Winter months. One Wild Harvester pulls in over $15,000 yearly harvesting this readily available tree.

Stay tuned for the next post.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profit Success!

5Rivers Jim

Interview With Dan Wiebke-Ginseng Buyer Part Two

This is the second part of a interview of Questions and Answers with Dan Wiebke, President, Wiebke Fur and Trading Company.

Dan and his staff are some of the main buyers in the Midwest US for a number of years. You can catch part one of his interview here.  Interview With Dan Wiebke-Ginseng Buyer.

Before we get into the final questions for Dan, I'd like to remind you of the FREE report that you can download 

"ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR THE WILD HARVESTER"

Just take a minute to click here  fill in your name and email address and the report will be on it's way to your email FREE.

Now let's finish talking with Dan:

WHP:  What prices have you experienced in the Ginseng Market?  Highest - Lowest.

DAN:  When we first started in the business we were paying around $100 for dry root.  We have paid up to $1000/lb for dry root.

WHP:  What is the current selling price and for what quality?

DAN:  Current selling price - $475 - $500 for average to good quality.  Better quality would bring a premium.

WHP:  In your experience with this plant, do you think that this commodity is destined for listing as an endangered plant species?

DAN:  Endangered species - I don't feel it will make the endangered species plant list.  It is an important industry in many parts of the US.  It has proven that it can be a sustainable commodity with the current harvest seasons.

WHP:  When is the best time to sell your Ginseng to a buyer?

DAN:  Timing is very difficult to figure out.  Markets go up and down with supply and demand.

WHP:  Finally...do you have any funny stories or happenings that you would like to share...we all love "personal" stories.

DAN:  Several years ago, two of my best diggers came in on a Thursday night (opening week of Oktoberfest*) with a big haul of very nice root for which I paid them a premium.  They walked out the door with just short of $10,000 in their pockets.  On Monday morning, they called me needing to borrow some gas money - they had blown their Ginseng money over the weekend enjoying Oktoberfest.

* Oktoberfest is a annual event here in La Crosse, WI. Much partying and carrying on for a whole week.

Thanks Dan.  I know that the readers and followers of Wild Harvest Profits Blog really appreciate you taking the time to answer some of their questions. We wish you much success in this years market.

Also, if you go to their website you can see the other commodities that they deal in. Click here. 

These are a great group to deal with, I totally endorse doing business with them.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profit Success.

5Rivers Jim

Interview With Dan Wiebke-Ginseng Buyer

Dan Wiebke, President Wiebke Fur Company.

Today is Part One of an interview that Dan Wiebke, of Wiebke Fur and Trading Company, did for me specifically on the selling, handling, and transportation of Wild Harvested Ginseng.

Dan has been in this business for a number of years, and is one of the Mid West US main buyers and sellers of natural renewable resources.

Wiebke Fur and Trading Company has two locations in the Midwest:

Address:
Wiebke Fur and Trading Co.
110 Rose Street
La Crosse, WI 54603

Telephone:
(608) 784-4402

Fax:
(608) 784-5453

Address:
Wiebke Fur & Trading Co.
P.O. Box 126, 218 Portland Ave.
Eitzen, MN 55931

Telephone:
(507) 495-3312

Fax:
(507) 495-3469

These guys know the market and always strive to get you the best price. Give them a call or check out their site Wiebke Fur and Trading Company.

Lets get to the questions:

WHP:  When do you normally first start to see Ginseng hitting your buyers sites?

DAN:  Ginseng season opened Sept 1.  We usually buy some green ginseng on that first day.

WHP:  Do Ginseng sellers "wait" for the best price throughout the buying season?

DAN:  Some Ginseng diggers wait for the best price because that is important to them.  Other diggers sell daily.

WHP:  What are the legal requirements for wild harvesters or foragers selling Ginseng to your stores?

DAN:  All sellers must have a WI Ginseng Harvester's license.  All roots must be five years old or older.  Sellers from outside WI must have their roots certified by the state in which they reside before shipping the product to us

WHP:  What do you recommend harvesters or foragers do to provide the best product for your buyers?
     a.  Cleaning
     b.  Drying
     c.  Packaging
     d.  Shipping or transportation to your stores
      f.  Other

DAN: (In order of the questions above)
     a.  Rinse in warm water

     b.  Drying on cardboard.  Dry area above cupboard or attic.

     c.  Packaging - box or paper sack

     d.  Shipping- if shipping, the Ginseng must be boxed carefully.

WHP:  What is the largest haul from one seller you have seen in a single season?

DAN:  15 - 20 lbs is a large quantity.  Our best diggers have sold us around 100 lbs of green ginseng in a single season.

My next post I will finish up with the last five questions and answers from Dan.

Don't miss this part.  

Dan let's us know how he feels about the future of Ginseng harvesting, and also a great story about two diggers that went from rich to broke in a weekend.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits Success!

5Rivers Jim

Message from Ginseng Buyer

Dan Wiebke emailed me today, and said that the season is "Crazy" and that he has some of the questions that I asked on your behalf hand written.

He said that he would have them ready for us shortly. I am really looking forward to his input in this profession and todays great market for ginseng and other Wild Harvested commodities.

Short post, but full of JUICE!....(You know...the stuff that us TOUGH GUYS are made of!)

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits Success!

5Rviers Jim

"Prices for Ginseng highest in Years" AP Reports

Saw this in this mornings paper.  It concerns "cultivated" Ginseng, but it will surely affect the price of wild ginseng this year.

"WAUSAU, Wis (AP)

Wisconsin's ginseng crop is commanding the highest prices in decades.....The root crop is going for an average of $40 a pound this season, compared with last year's average of about $27. "

This is great news for us! Buyers from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and both US Coasts are bargaining for the "in short supply" of this years cultivated crop. That can only lead to better prices for wild harvest Ginseng.

Stay Tuned for an updated market price by the end of the week for wild Ginseng.

Wild Harvest Profits TIP:

Locate stands of Black Willow or "Diamond Willow" now for harvesting this Winter. These much in demand shafts are an excellent source of  income over the long Winter Months here in the Mid West.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profit Success!

5Rivers Jim

Look at these Laws! Ginseng in West Virginia

Just a little heads up on some laws that are being considered or have been enacted on Ginseng digging, collecting and harvesting. This proposal from West Virginia should make you sit up and pay attention.

"Harvesting Ginseng"

Bill Grafton, Wildlife Specialist, WVU Extension Service
Dave McGill, Forest Resources Specialist, WVU Extension Service Aug. 2005
 

West Virginia has a new law that regulates the growing, digging, and selling of ginseng.

  (The W.Va. Division of Forestry will administer the regulations after the legislature approves them.)
 

A few of the regulations are described here.

It is now unlawful to plant ginseng seeds or plants and to dig, collect, or gather ginseng on public lands in West Virginia.

The digging season for wild ginseng is from September 1 through November 30. A grower may also harvest woods-grown or wild simulated ginseng during that same period. 

Cultivated ginseng may be harvested throughout the year.
 

Permits and Regulations:
 

A ginseng digger MUST have written permission on their person when harvesting wild ginseng on another person’s enclosed (fenced) or posted lands.  This sound familiar...huh?
 

People who harvest ginseng must buy a $10 annual permit. All commercial plants and roots must be sold to a licensed dealer so the state’s total harvest can be certified and monitored. Plants must be five years old to be harvested from the wild.
 

More information about ginseng may be obtained from the W.Va. Division of Forestry (304)558-2788).

This law proposal is making the rounds in some of the major states that harvest large crops of wild and wild simulated Ginseng.

Keep up to speed with your states requirements and proposals. This is our profession...don't lose this time honored activity to a non-outdoors politician seeking approval with the far left. IMHO!



Yours in Wild Harvest Profit Success!




5Rivers Jim

Ginseng- Questions for a Buyer

Just a quick update.  I am still waiting for Dan Wiebke to get back with me....I know that this is a busy time for him, so have some patience.

I have finished the white paper “ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR THE WILD HARVESTER”.

You can get a copy by going here  . Fill in the form and  a copy  will be sent to you.

It's FREE!        Grab a copy now!  

If you have any other tools that you can not live without when in the field...let us know.

Comments posted on the blog are answered personally by me and are always welcome.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profit success!


5Rivers Jim

Questions for a Ginseng Buyer.

Well, folks that initial interview with a Ginseng buyer has not come to fruit. I found out that this guy was just a blow hard, and didn't have anything of any value.....but I have something even better coming.

I contacted an established buyer that has stores in a few midwest states. He has been in the business for numerous years, and has a wealth of knowledge for wild harvesters and foragers.

He is Dan Wiebke, one of the main players at Wiebke Fur Company. here in La Crosse, WI.

He has agreed to answer some of your questions on the current market for Ginseng, its handling, transportation, etc. I just sent him a Q &A  list this morning, so as soon as I get some responses I'll be posting them here on the blog.

Also, Dan and his company buy other wild harvest commodities, and I am going to twist his arm and get some insights on the other products and his advise when presenting them to buyers.

Be patient this is a busy time for him and his staff, but I am excited about getting this information and getting it out there for you.

I am working on a white paper covering " Essential Tools for Wild Harvesting Profits".  I need some of the true and tested tools and items you take into the field when you are harvesting or foraging. I have mine, but I am interested in learning what other folks feel is "absolute" on their belts when in the woods or on the water. Post a comment, let's see what you can't live without when harvesting.

Your in Wild Harvest Profit Success!

5Rivers Jim

Video on Ginseng Hunting

This video will help with  recognizing  this much sought after "Green Gold" commodity. I think that this YTTN Hunter is a pretty good teacher.  He did a better job then I did in the woods filming, so enjoy




This is a good video of hunting ginseng.  It will give you a good general reference to recognize the plant.

Make sure that you know your state's laws as to how many spikes are required before you dig the root.  Some states require 5, some only 3.  Look up your rules and always follow them.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits success!

5Rivers Jim

Updates on DNR Plant Posse and Ginseng Market Postings

Well the government is showing why we love it so much.....no word yet on my proposal of forming a plant posse from Wild Harvesters or Foragers.

Well it really didn't surprise me. Our DNR is inherently slow to respond to anything, except fining folks and enforcing really strange rulings and laws. (My personal opinion only). I'll keep after them. I think that I will write a letter and send it to them where they have to sign for it.  Then let's see what will be what.

On the interview with our local "sang buyer, he had to bow out for our scheduled time.  I talked to him yesterday and he is rescheduling for sometime next week.

The markets for wild ginseng for October is $400 - $450 per pound. Not bad for this time of the year. Talked to a local harvester, and he has 9 pounds ready for market.  Do do the math....that's a nice payday.

Golden Seal root is going for $10 - $15 per pound, and if you have them the leaves are selling for $2 pound.

A commodity that is in demand this time of year is the "Reishi" mushroom. The mushroom is listed as Ganoderma  lucidum and grows throughout much of the United States. It is not harvested for fresh market eating but it is dried and sold by the pound to meet a huge demand from the Oriental Market. It is relatively easy to to identify, and it is not that hard to harvest and dry. It is bring in about $10 - $25 per pound. It is important to contact your buyer to see if there are any specific requirements that they have regarding it harvest and curing.  One buyer only wants them "Flipped  upside down and air dried" CHECK before you waste your time in the woods. I have put a few pictures to get you started on ID'ng these great money makers just below this post.

 The Picture on the left shows a few pounds of the dried mushrooms. They have a shiny exterior looking like they are almost shellacked with a finish.

The picture on the right is of the mushroom growing in the woods. You can locate this "Reishi" growing on rotting, downed, or live wood.  Look for holes and mold on the mushrooms.  If they are present leave it.  It is not marketable. Don't waste you time.

You can get a thorough description of this mushroom by referring to Michael Kuo's book 100 Edible Mushrooms  This book is my bible for both foraging for mushrooms to sell, and also to consume personally.

Next post I will be giving some addresses and businesses that will buy your harvested commodities.

Also I will be reviewing more of the book Wildcrafting: Harvesting the wilds for a living : brush-picking, fruit-tramping, worm-grunting, and other nomadic livelihoods

This book has open new markets for me to harvest, and I am sure that you will see some possibilities for increased income .

Leave me comments, your thoughts or questions on Wild Harvesting and Foraging for Profit.

Your in Wild Harvest Profits success!

5River Jim

Images courtesy of Google Images.

Ginseng Market Update-Interview With a Buyer

Hey All.

I just got off the phone with one of the local buyers of Ginseng, and he has agreed to an interview Thursday on how the market is doing this year.  I will try to record our conversation, but if that doesn't work, then I will transcribe important tid bits and post them.  This should be a good time and great information for selling your commodity. Stay tuned for the post. I will also be listing some of the buyers throughout the US, so don't miss out.

Your in Wild Harvest Profit Success!

5Rivers Jim

DNR response to Plant Posse!

Just a quick post to let you know that I called the Wisconsin DNR today, and they are going to contact me later this week on if and how they can use any data we can get for them on invasive plant species. I know that they are a government agnecy and their wheels of progress grind exceedingly slow, but I will keep after them and post my news here.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits Success!

5Rivers Jim

Wild Harvest Profits - Do We Need a Plant Posse?

If you have been following my blog for any length of time you have picked up on the fact that I love this activity, but I also respect the source of all our our treasures that we harvest and profit from. We need to protect our environment to assure continuation of Wild Harvesting for Profit.

Today I read a piece in the paper about the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge requesting sportsmen and sportswomen to volunteer for being a plant "posse" while venturing into the area.

This posse is being sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and they are asking these folks to stop by the refuge headquarters, and pick up camera's and hand held GPS to take pictures and mark location of invasive species within the refuge.

What a great idea for combating the spread of foreign invasive plants in our precious Nature.

I am stunned that for once a governmental agency is thinking and using easily available technology to assist and monitor a huge threat to our forests and waters. Also, it made me think of taking this a step further.

Let us form our own plant "Posse".

When in the field or harvesting, lets take note of strange plants and research the posibbility that they may be invasive. 

I take  this small camera and  this GPS with me Every Time I venture into Nature. No matter if on a hike to find new commodities, or just a walk with my wife or grandkids. I take pictures of  plants that I want to harvest but want to double check species later at home, and I mark their location for later profit with the GPS. (see this previous post)

What if we as a group take pictures of those plants that we know are invasive, mark their locations via GPS, and send this information to the local DNR or State Wild Life Agency?

I think that this information would be gladly accepted, and would form the basis for a plan for eradication of those invaders, or at least give the present location to watch. Seeing as how this is Sunday, and no state or local offices are open, I am going to contact my local office on Monday and see what they think of this proposal. I'll let you know what I find out.

Post your thoughts or comments on this "Posse" idea. I answer all posts within 24 hours.

Yours in Wild Harvest Profits success!

5Rivers Jim