Mushroom foraging is one of my favorite outdoor activities. It’s relaxing, surprisingly exciting, and, if you’re lucky, a great way to procure some highly nutritious food. I usually like to tie mushroom foraging into other hobbies as well. For example, spring turkey hunting usually falls within prime morel season—perfect timing! With all of that said it is very important to approach mushroom foraging with caution. So here are a few tips for beginners.
Common Species:
Starting with mushrooms that have very distinguishable features is a great way to build confidence. Focus on a handful of the most recognizable and, of course, edible to help take away most of the anxiety with getting started. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Morels
- Chanterelles
- Chicken Of the Woods
- Maitake (Hen of The Woods)
- Black Trumpets
- Lion’s Mane
Study:
Learn the common edible mushrooms in your area. Books, pocket guides, and other online resources are helpful. I suggest keeping one on hand while out in the field. Start by focusing on easily identifiable mushrooms, such as the ones I’ve previously mentioned, to reduce the risk of consuming something that can make you sick. Consider attending a local event or Facebook group. I bet you’ll be shocked at how many there are!
Safety:
DO NOT consume a mushroom unless you are 100% certain of what it is. Some mushrooms can be deadly! Some common, edible, readily found mushrooms have look-alikes, and it is of utmost importance to learn how to differentiate them. I’m not saying this to scare anyone away, just trying to be abundantly clear. With some practice, identifying your local favorites will become second nature.
Gear & Harvesting:
As previously mentioned, a pocket guide or identification app on your phone is great to have handy. Other than that, I’d suggest a sharp knife and a breathable mesh bag. The mesh bag is important to help the mushrooms breathe, which keeps them fresh and allows them to continue releasing spores on your hike. When harvesting, make a clean cut at the bottom of the stem while keeping the root in the ground. This is to help with regrowth in the years to come and keep your mushrooms cleaner. It’s also important to leave some of the crop behind and only harvest what you can consume. I don’t recommend freezing or saving mushrooms for later. Fresh is best!
Weather Tendencies:
Paying attention to weather conditions is crucial. Things such as recent rainfall, soil temperature, and sunlight, among other factors, play a huge role in the growth of mushrooms. Each species will thrive in particular circumstances and environmental conditions, and that is very important to note if you want to be successful in finding your target!
It is worth repeating that consuming wild mushrooms should be approached with caution. But as long as you are smart when foraging, it is a great way to spend time outdoors, and I highly encourage everyone to try it. Bring a friend, find some dinner, and scout for the upcoming hunting season while you’re out there. It doesn’t get much better than that!
--Outdoors Allie