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The morel of the story is it's pickin' time |
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April 17, 2017 |
As the snow finally recedes and the temperatures
warm, it's time to start thinking about
harvesting mushrooms. The Idaho Panhandle
National Forests welcomes mushroom harvesting,
and offers these tips and information.
Mushroom harvesting on the Idaho Panhandle
National Forests requires a permit if you are
harvesting more than one gallon of mushrooms a
day or more than five gallons a season.
This free personal-use permit allows harvesting
up to 20 gallons, or 50 pounds, of mushrooms per
season.
In an effort to provide opportunities for
recreational pickers, commercial harvesting is
not authorized on the Idaho Panhandle National
Forests. Picking mushrooms with the intent to
sell them is considered commercial harvesting.
Slicing mushrooms in half, length-wise from stem
to cap, before leaving the harvest area
distinguishes personal use from unauthorized
commercial collecting.
Mushroom permits are available weekday from 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at any Idaho Panhandle
National Forests’ offices, except for at the
Coeur d’Alene Forest Nursery. Issuing permits
ensures the sustainability of mushroom harvests
and helps the Forest protect resources.
It is important to understand the permit
conditions and mushroom harvest limits. Mushroom
permit requirements may vary between national
forests. More information about mushroom
harvesting is available at
http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/ipnf/home or at
your local Forest Service office.
Forest Supervisor Mary Farnsworth stresses the
importance of correctly identifying mushrooms.
“Poisonous mushrooms can be difficult to
distinguish from edible varieties," she said.
"Please learn what is safe and what is not
before consuming any wild mushrooms.”
Mushrooms may be harvested anywhere on the Idaho
Panhandle National Forests unless otherwise
restricted. It is always recommended to check
with your local ranger station for any road or
area closures.
In burned areas, visitors should be aware of
falling snags and burned stump holes. |
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