JACKSON COUNTY, Iowa – A Miles, Iowa man has been charged with digging up Ginseng after being caught on state managed property with a bag full in September.

On September 2, 2018 Jerry Woodhurst, 56, was located on state managed property in Jackson County by DNR conservation officers near a bag of freshly dug Ginseng. An officer confronted Woodhurst, who initially denied having any involvement. Woodhurst later admitted to digging up the 108 Ginseng roots and failing to leave the entire plant intact, as required by law. Officers located the area where Woodhurst had been digging and found 47 plant tops on the ground.

Woodhurst has since been charged with five (5) counts of digging Ginseng within a state managed area, and five (5) counts of not leaving the tops of the Ginseng plants intact, totaling a fine of $1,950.

The Iowa DNR was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

Media Contact: Andrew Keil, DNR Conservation Officer, Andrew.Keil@dnr.iowa.gov or (563) 590-1945.