USFS: SPRING WEATHER BRINGS MUSHROOM HARVESTING OPPORTUNITIES
Kalispell, MT –April 15, 2016 – Spring has arrived and with it mushroom season has begun. Many kinds of edible mushrooms grow in Flathead County, including morels, chanterelles, shaggy mane, puffballs, boletes, and oyster mushrooms. The USDA Forest Service welcomes mushroom collecting on the Flathead National Forest, but emphasizes caution when foraging for mushrooms. Mushrooms can be difficult to identify properly; some poisonous mushrooms occur in our area and can be hard to distinguish from edible species. If in doubt, do not consume any wild mushrooms. Learn from experienced mushroom collectors and use a guide book to learn what is safe and what is not.
Take safety precautions when venturing out into the woods. Consider weather and road conditions before traveling. Avoid burned areas with many snags, especially during high winds. Let someone know where you intend on picking and remember that cell phone coverage is limited in many areas of the forest. Bring a free Flathead National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map so you know what roads are open to vehicles and where they are. Mushroom collecting on the Flathead National Forest can require a permit, and commercial harvesting of mushrooms is prohibited.