Forest Rangers issued tickets for illegal cattail harvest in the Lakeshore Marshes Wildlife Management Area in Wayne County.
The incident occurred on March 22 when rangers observed two individuals walking through a cattail marsh and collecting and bundling cattails.
While the harvesting of cattails for wooden barrel caulking has been a common practice for centuries, it requires a permit from the relevant authorities. In this case, Rangers determined that the 63-year-old from Sodus and 32-year-old from Lyons did not have the required permits.
After observing the harvest of a large amount of cattails from the Lakeshore Marshes Wildlife Management Area, rangers spent a significant amount of time patrolling the area. The pair were issued tickets for illegal cattail harvest, and they will have to pay a fine for their illegal activity.
The Lakeshore Marshes Wildlife Management Area is home to various wildlife species, including migratory birds, and serves as a vital habitat for them. The illegal harvest of cattails can disrupt the ecosystem and cause harm to the wildlife.
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