Mushrooms
Incidental Use
Many fungi are edible, but some are poisonous! Be sure to carry a mushroom guide and consider bringing an experienced forager with you if you are new to mushroom foraging.
(USDA Forest Service photo.)No permit is required for incidental gathering of mushrooms for personal use.
- You may collect up to one gallon per species per year.
You may not sell or trade mushrooms.
Commercial Use
A permit is required for commercial picking of mushrooms on national forest land.
Prices are:
- $50.00 for 50 gallons - a 14-day permit
- $80.00 for 80 gallons - a 30-day permit
- $120.00 for 120 gallons - a calendar year permit
A Commercial Use Permit is required for any individual intending to sell the mushrooms or for harvesting more than the allowable limit considered incidental use.
Make an appointment to buy a permit at your nearest Forest office.
Mushroom Picking Information
Mushrooms are the reproductive structures or “fruit” of certain fungi. Unlike green plants, fungi cannot use sunlight to make food, but the web-like root structures called mycelium decompose organic matter, which the organism utilizes for food.
Mushrooms and truffles are important wildlife food. They are consumed by deer, elk, bear, small mammals, and mollusks. Some rodents rely on mushrooms for a significant part of their food supply and are, in turn, primary prey for larger species such as the northern spotted owl. Preserving the diversity of fungal species in forest ecosystems is essential to the wellbeing of our National Forests.
Use Caution
Know the mushroom before you pick it. There are many poisonous mushrooms, but there also are many edible, delicious, and easily identified species. Use guidebooks and pamphlets for identification.
Safety Recommendations
- Wear orange vests or other garments to increase your visibility to hunters and other forest visitors.
- Know the conditions of your permit, including the permissible harvest locations and other relevant boundaries.
- In case of an emergency dial 911! Notify them of your situation and location, including the road number.
- Be careful of large trucks and other vehicles when travelling on logging roads. Always use your headlights and ask a forest district office where active logging is occurring.
- If you have safety concerns or questions, contact a Forest office.
Harvest Technique
For the best possible recovery of mushroom sites year after year, proper harvesting techniques are necessary and required for both personal and commercial gathering. Mushroom stems are to be cut at or above ground level keeping the growing site as undisturbed as possible. Use only a knife or scissors to harvest mushrooms.
- Rakes are prohibited.
- Mushrooms MUST be cut and not pulled.
Equipment Checklist
Equip yourself properly before going to the field. Prepare for a safe and efficient trip by carrying the following:
- Extra food, water and clothing
- Compass and map of the area
- Whistle
- Mushroom field guide
- Small knife for harvesting and trimming
- Bucket to carry mushrooms
- Waxed paper or waxed bags (not plastic) for separating and protecting the mushrooms.