Mushroom Hunting Season in Oregon
Hunting mushrooms is a fun and rewarding hobby, allowing you to enjoy nature, get some exercise and return with a healthy and nutritious supply of mushrooms, which can sometimes be sold for profit. Few places are as ideal for mushroom hunting as the Pacific forests of Oregon. With some preparation and knowledge of mushroom gathering requirements and safety, you can have successful and bountiful mushroom hunting trips.
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When to Hunt
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When mushrooms appear can vary according to species and weather conditions, but in general, look for mushrooms to begin appearing in spring as the snow recedes and the ground temperature climbs. Mushrooms especially thrive in warm and wet conditions, so just after a rainstorm is an excellent time to hunt. Mushroom season can last through late fall, but be aware of weather conditions, as these can affect the length of the season (for example, drier years will cause a shorter season).
Where to Look
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Mushrooms grow primarily in coniferous or hardwood forests. Many mushrooms depend on living trees to grow and will be found in abundance beneath total forest canopies. Because of mushrooms' affinity for water, streambeds are also a good place to look.
In Oregon, the Cascade Mycological Society (CMS) provides information about mushroom collecting in state and national forests. Willamette, Deschutes, and Ochoco National Forest are all popular places for mushroom hunting.
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Restrictions and Permits
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Some Oregon forests require permits for mushroom collecting. Often, a permit is not required for personal mushroom hunting, but many forests place limits on the amount an individual can gather per day, usually 1 to 5 gallons. For commercial picking a permit is almost always required, and there may also be age restrictions. The U.S. Forest Service maintains information about permit requirements.
Common Oregon Mushrooms
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Some of the most common wild mushrooms in Oregon are ectomychorrizal, meaning they form a symbiotic relationship with another plant, usually a tree. These species include the American matsutake, morels, chanterelles and truffles. They are often in high demand during the season. Once clean, grated and packaged, they can easily be sold at local markets for $5 to $20 per pound.
Safety and Precautions
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Because many mushrooms are poisonous and can cause serious organ damage or death, it is important to accurately identify any mushrooms you collect. Furthermore, many edible mushrooms have poisonous lookalikes, so use a quality field guide or go collecting with an experienced friend. The CMS cautions against eating raw mushrooms of any species, as cooking can help remove harmful substances and improve digestion and flavor (though it won't make poisonous mushrooms edible). When trying a new species of mushroom, eat only 2 teaspoons and wait 24 hours before eating more or trying a different species. You should also be aware of the environment where you are collecting, as mushrooms easily pick up the toxins around them. Avoid collecting along polluted roads or old dump sites. Mushrooms growing on ornamental trees can pick up toxins found in the wood, so these should be avoided as well.
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References
- Oregon State University Extension Service: Harvesting and Marketing Wild Mushrooms
- Pacific Northwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service: Comercially Harvested Edible Forest Mushrooms.
- Cascade Mycological Society: Mushroom Permit Picking Information
- Cascade Mycological Society: Edibility Guidelines.
- Food and Agricultural Organization: Wild Edible Mushrooms from the Forests of America's Pacific Northwest.
Resources
- Photo Credit The mushroom morel image by Ludmila Galchenkova from Fotolia.com
