5 Tips For Succesful Mushroom Foraging

1. Know Your Shrooms Backward and Forward and Upside Down!

Bad mushroom identification can mean stomachaches, diarrhea, existential crisis, and worse. Study your area before you go out foraging.

Consider joining a guided foraging walk with a reputable expert in your area. There are many toxic look-alikes, so don’t forget: "When in doubt, throw it out" is real! BTW - “Upside down” is literal. Sometimes the only way to tell a safe mushroom from a dangerous look-alike is the gills!

2. Learn Where They Grow Before You Go!

Mushrooms thrive in specific conditions. Know what you’re looking for and understand the habitat they prefer. 

Mushies like it damp, so plan your forays after a good rain (but not immediately after).

3. Don’t Be Greedy - Leave Some for Others and Some to Grow! 

Respect the craft. Be mindful of private property and always forage in sustainable ways. Only take what you need, and never take all the mushrooms from a patch. Leave some behind to allow the colony to reproduce.

4. Prep Your Tools - Basket, Knife, and ID Notes! 

Bring a basket with breathable material to collect your mushrooms. A sturdy knife will help you carefully harvest them, and a brush can gently remove debris. 

Also make sure you have a way to identify in the field - smartphone app, book, notes, whatever. Spore prints can aid in identification, so bring a piece of paper or cardboard for this purpose.

5. Don’t Take a Bite Until You Know You’re Right! 

Even if you think you've found a safe mushroom, never eat it raw. (In fact, some varieties are safe cooked but will make you sick raw.) Once you're home, check your guide again and double-check all the features. Then check again. If you’re not sure, ask someone who knows. 

And when it doubt, throw it out! But get pics first. Pics or it didn’t happen.