Foraging for Fungi

September 2022

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Foraging for Fungi
Beginner Guide to Mushroom Picking

Mushroom picking is a fun and rewarding outdoor activity that grew in popularity during the pandemic. Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in becoming a fungi forager.

From coast to coast, from the US border to the Arctic, hundreds of different kinds of mushrooms grow wild throughout Canada. They can be found in wooded areas and mossy areas, as low as sea level and as high as the alpine. Mushroom hunting is a great way to get outdoors, feel more connected to the land you’re living on, and participate in the food consciousness and self-sufficiency trends.

Before You Begin: Always Exercise Caution!

While many mushrooms are edible and delicious, not all of them are safe to eat. In fact, some are downright poisonous! Make sure you pick up a handy and detailed field guide to help you identify the safe specimens. There are many online guides and apps available, but consider using a hard copy or downloading a guide to your phone if you may be going somewhere you won’t have service.

Where to Forage for Mushrooms

Keep in mind that you are not allowed to forage just anywhere. Mushroom picking is prohibited in national parks across Canada, and it is also typically not allowed in provincial parks, regional parks, ecological reserves, conservation areas, and other recreation areas. Foraging is allowed on private land and reserves (with permission) and on the vast swaths of provincial Crown lands easily accessible all over the country.

Mushroom Picking Tools and Equipment

When you go out foraging, it’s important to have some basic gear and essential tools on hand.

  • Clothing appropriate for the weather. Make sure you check the forecast before leaving the house.
  • Rubber boots to keep your feet dry in the damp areas where mushrooms often grow.
  • A pocket knife or snippers to help harvest the mushrooms.
  • A soft-bristled brush, a cloth, or foam sponge for mushroom cleaning.
  • A basket, a plastic bucket with drainage holes in case of rain, or a mesh bag to put the mushrooms in.

Mushroom Picking Dos and Don’ts

Here are three of the most important tips to keep in mind when you go mushroom picking.

DO harvest sustainably. Don’t take more than you need on one trip, especially if it may go to waste. Try to take only a small portion of the total crop so that the rest can continue growing and cut the mushrooms with your knife, as simply ripping them away can cause damage. Try to minimize your disturbance of the surrounding habitat as well.

DO clean your mushrooms when you pick them. Use the brush or cloth you brought along to give the mushrooms a quick cleaning before putting them in your container. Any remaining dirt can get stuck in the delicate mushroom as it tumbles around on your way home.

DON’T pick underdeveloped or over-ripe mushrooms. Take only what can be used. Leave young mushrooms to develop further and note their spot so you can come back another time. Leave overripe mushrooms to release their spores and reproduce.

There are many unique ways to immerse yourself in nature, and mushroom picking is one of them. You might even discover new areas of your province you never thought to visit! So why wait? Pick up a guide and get foraging.

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