Mushrooms about ready for hunting in Blue Mountains

Mushrooms should start appearing any time now in the Blue Mountains, according to the National Forest Service.

Mushroom hunters do not need a permit to harvest less than one gallon of mushrooms in the Umatilla National Forest in Oregon or less than five gallons on forest land in Washington if the mushrooms are for personal use. The mushrooms may not be sold, bartered or given away.

Commercial permits are required to transfer mushrooms to another party or to harvest beyond the personal use limits in each state. They cost $2 per day for a minimum of 10 days or $100 for an annual permit.

Many mushroom varieties are poisonous. “When it doubt, throw it out,” says the Forest Service. It advises hunters to come prepared with a mushroom guidebook.

Call 541-278-3716 for more information.

This story was originally published May 8, 2016 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Mushrooms about ready for hunting in Blue Mountains."