Spring mushroom season dates set

“Forest visitors new to harvesting mushrooms should familiarize themselves with how to differentiate between edible and poisonous varieties,” forest officials said. “Some show similar characteristics, it is always best to go with someone who knows what they are doing when starting out.”

Under Incidental Use, mushrooms may be harvested for personal use up to one gallon per day with a five-gallon yearly limit. Mushrooms harvested under Incidental Use cannot be sold or exchanged. Mushrooms with a cap diameter equal to or greater than two inches must be cut or broken into quarter sections as soon as they are picked. Following the harvest regulations detailed on the Special Forest Products Incidental Use Guide will allow for future growth for years to come.

Commercial Use permits may be purchased by anyone 18 years or older. Permit rates are $1 per pound or 5 pounds/$5 per day. The minimum commercial use permit that can be purchased is a $20 permit for 20 pounds, and the permit is valid for four days. Additional days can be purchased at $5 per day. The maximum Commercial Use permit which can be purchased is a $150 permit for 150 pounds that is valid for 29 days after the purchase date.  All permits are issued on an individual basis.  

Commercial Use permits are available at both the McCloud and Mt. Shasta Ranger Stations. Permit holders are required to accurately fill out the “Product Record of Removal” section on the permit as described in the document. These permits are not valid on private lands.

Note there are rules against raking ground litter as it destroys the mushroom ‘beds’ and it takes quite a long time for them to recover. Additionally, officials encourage you to be courteous to other pickers, pack out what garbage you pack into the forest, and try to be light on the land, especially when roadways are wet and muddy.  This was a very wet year, many of the roads are likely to be saturated and soft. Also use caution and watch for fallen trees and road surface damage while you are driving. As you walk through the woods, please look up occasionally and watch for overhead hazards.

For further information about safe types of mushrooms and environmentally protective harvesting methods, contact the McCloud Ranger Station at 530-964-2184 or the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station at 530-926-4511.