Fall Mushroom Harvesting Permits Available for Foragers in Klamath National Forest

Mushrooms in golden sunlight surrounded by leaves and moss [WikipediaCommons image by Jon Glittenberg]

Many kinds of edible mushrooms grow in Siskiyou County, including morels, chanterelles, shaggy mane, puffballs, boletes, and oyster mushrooms. The USDA Forest Service welcomes mushroom collecting on the Klamath National Forest and has some tips and information for mushroom foragers.

Erin Lonergan, Forest Botanist for the Klamath National Forest, emphasizes caution when foraging for mushrooms. “Mushrooms can be difficult to correctly identify. Poisonous mushrooms do 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 guidebook to learn what is safe and what is not.”

Mushroom collection on the Klamath National Forest requires separate permits for the spring and fall seasons. Fall mushroom permits are now available at Klamath National Forest offices in Happy Camp, Macdoel, and Fort Jones. Three different mushroom permits are available for purchase depending on quantity. A $20 permit allows up to eight gallons of mushrooms, collected over four consecutive days. A $50 permit allows up to 20 gallons, collected over 30 consecutive days. Additional days may be purchased for $5 a day. A $100 season permit allows up to 40 gallons for the season. If a permit holder reaches their gallon limit, additional permits may be purchased. Each permit is only valid for collecting mushrooms from National Forest land within the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll, Goosenest, and Salmon/Scott ranger districts.

To ensure the sustainability of fall mushroom harvest, each permit has additional conditions and restrictions intended to regulate harvest. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to read and understand those conditions. Ranger districts can also provide information on mushroom harvesting, camping, and local conditions.

Please take safety precautions when venturing out in the woods. Consider weather and road conditions before travelling. Stop by your local Klamath National Forest office to inquire about current Forest closures and to obtain a free Klamath National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map so you know what roads are open to vehicles and where they are. Let someone know where you intend on picking and remember that cell phone coverage is limited in many areas of the forest. And remember to practice Leave no Trace principles while enjoying your public lands: Pack it in, Pack it out!

Stage One Fire Restrictions remain in effect. This means campfires are not permitted outside of developed recreation areas or wilderness; internal combustion engines aren’t permitted off National Forest System roads or trails; and smoking is only permitted in developed recreation areas, in vehicles, or stopped in an area three feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material. More information on fire restrictions can be viewed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices/?aid=74644.