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Wardens Dave Youngquist and Joe Frost Recognized with Chief's Mugs for Illegal Ginseng Harvest

Dave observed a known ginseng harvester disappear on his motorcycle onto state land prior to the ginseng open season. Joe stopped the subject later and found that he was planting ginseng seeds and cutting ginseng plants to protect “his” patches. He had also trespassed on private land. A search warrant led to 104 ginseng roots drying in his attic, and further investigation uncovered he was providing false information to obtain approvals since the subject had been purchasing multiple licenses by making slight modifications to his social security number and addresses. These “identities” helped him avoid paying taxes on his ginseng income. The subject forfeited $1,200, the ginseng, his digging equipment and his motorcycle, and went to jail for operating after revocation. Dave and Joe’s workefforts are connected to Goal 1 of the Law Enforcement strategic plan “Maintain Healthy and Diverse Wildlife and Habitats.”