Part of the Forest Service’s job is to protect the resource — the over 500,000 acres of the Allegheny National Forest.

To that end, federal officials have some guidelines for when people go hunting for wild leeks on the forest.

Everyone who harvests wild leeks, also known as ramps, is expected to exercise reasonable care by protecting the harvest area from excessive damage,” Public Affairs Officer Christopher Leeser said.

Collection is permitted but is restricted to personal consumption.

“The recommended harvest limit for personal consumption is up to two gallons of leeks per person, or about the amount that fits in a plastic grocery bag,” Leeser said. “Collection for business or commercial purposes is not allowed and collectors may not sell or exchange any portion of the wild leeks for profit.”

Some guidelines include not harvesting more than one-fifth of the plants within a given site and only harvesting from sites with more than 100 plants. Officials ask that soil, rocks and wood disturbed be returned to its original position.

Several areas of the forest are off limits to leek collecting. That includes the Hickory Creek and Allegheny Islands wilderness areas, Hearts Content and Tionesta scenic areas, Buckaloons and the Tionesta Research Natural Area.

“Always leave some plants to mature and produce next year’s leeks,” Leeser explained. “When digging bulbs, use a soil fork or small hand trowel and a knife, rather than a large shovel. To dig leeks, loosen the soil with the fork or trowel and use the knife to cut the roots beneath the bulb.

“You can help take the pressure off the wild population of leeks by growing them on your property,” he added.