The Mushroom Hunter

Mushroom Cultivation in log and Stump

2008-12-27T17:19:00.001-08:00

It is a very rewarding activity to grow your own mushroom. Designing a log garden for it is fun enough to scoop out your creativity. The mushroom uses wood as their food source thus make sure that the wood is freshly cut, the oak, maple, sweet gum, poplar are deciduous softwoods. Pines, cedar, firs, and other conifers will not work for most mushroom species.

You can find many different species of delicious mushroom plugs spawn from the natural food stores. After you purchased your spawn, and prepared the log as the planting area, start drill holes at the log. Different spawn of the species is matching different wood type; make sure you order the spawn of the species that is best for your wood type.

After you drill the holes on the log, fill the holes with wooden plugs that are colonized with the fungus of your choice. When you fill the plugs in the hole, make sure you wax the surface to seal them in and protect them from drying. All you need to do now is waiting…

When the mushroom’s root system has treaded itself throughout the log stump, it will want to start fruiting. Fruiting can be seasonal, depending on the temperature, and it could last for several years.

Pacific Golden Chanterelles

2008-12-27T15:46:00.001-08:00

Oregon is at the Northwest of the continental of U.S.A. Its wet climate prospers the growth the most deliciously demand mushroom that attract hunter all over. Along the coastal mountain range where rainfall can exceed 80 inches encourage many species of mushroom sprout. One of the most detectable, and easiest to identify safely is the Chanterelle.

During my first hunt in 2001, I went out with couple of amateurs’ hunters with the intent to just ‘check it out’, I was captivated ever since. And Chanterelle is one of my favorite. Chanterelles are thought to be a mycorrhizal fungus, which it maintains a symbiotic relationship with other plants, hence, it provides clues to locate it down. In Oregon, the pacific golden chanterelle has a mycorrhizal relationship with Douglas fir trees, and there are abundant along the Oregon coast, hunters always focus on Douglas fir forest, and never find disappointment.

The best seasons for Chanterelle is from late summer through late fall, and October and November are the prime months to hunting. However, their presence depends upon rain. The most productive time to look for chanterelle is the period following a steady pouring rainfall; they will continue to show up until the temperatures drop to the freezing level. During the fall season, the alder trees which are often found with Douglas fir, turn color and blanket the forest with bright yellow leaves. The pacific golden chanterelles are slightly more orange and gold colored then these leaves. It’s challenging to identify and exciting when you flip over the blanket and find these beautiful golden species beneath the leaves.

The thrilling part of the hunt is when you do not see any sign of the target. Chanterelles sometimes do compel their growth manner rising through thick moss and other forest debris and pushing against thick downed branches and twigs. Hunters have to scan the area systematically and hunt for a small flash of bright gold ones. If you are lucky, you will spot a bunch standing alone and distinct. Once found, get a clean knife and cut the stalk close to the forest floor, do not dig out the root, leave it to re-germinate and re-grow for the next season.

Mushroom Song

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I don’t need to tell your how good I am
You are dying to hunt me down and make yourself a hearty feast
You will with your indomitable will
Somewhere in the wild wood
Blanket with fallen pine and maple leaves
That’s where I am
Never guess if your are unsure
Ignore those beauties with colorful crowns
They are the poisonous and can be fatal

Mushroom is good for you
Be a responsible hunter
Never litter and clean up the mess after
Never greed for hunt all of us at once
Leave something behind
For us to grow again for many seasons to come

Never leave your hunting partner behind
Look up for one another and
Have a good time
I am always out here waiting for
Hunters with smile, and passionate about nature
The wonders in the wood are the most precious resources
Offering varieties of amusing and pursuit
Satisfy your thirst of curio and hamper your sack
Bring me home dare hunter and I’ll be your best friend
You will come back again and again
Mushroom hunting is the best game here

Hunting Preps & Tips

2008-12-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

Never Hunt Alone!!! Common sense.

Ideal numbers of mushroom hunting partners are in the grouping of three to four, plus a medium size dog. And again, common sense, never bring your Chihuahua or Shitshu into the wild wet wood with you, they will be the perfect snack for the coyotes.

You are exposing yourself to the blind dense forest, and it’s easy to get directional disorientation after a few back and forth, left and right turns. Always check in with your partner that they are at the visible and distance. Before out there hunting, you need to have a prep session of communication among the group. Going through the gear checklist and communication method, and always appoint a more experience hunter as the group leader.

Planning and preparation.

Learn how to use a compass and a map or GPS. Thoroughly review a map and other guidebooks of the area. Learn about the trails, streams, mountains, nearby roads and other features around the area. Tell someone of your plans and the time that you expect to return.

Pack the proper equipment and supplies. Carry essential items in your pockets for use in an emergency. Sign in on trailhead registers and stick to your planned route.

When you are in the wilderness always use a map and compass. Stop occasionally and always pay attention to landmarks as you go deeper. Be aware of your surroundings.

If you do get lost, stay calm. Do not panic. S.T.O.P. (stop, think, observe and plan). Try to return to a familiar location if within a reasonable distance. Do not go too far off your original route. If still lost, stay put. Rescuer will most likely find you within 24 hours. Blow your whistle to signal that you are in trouble and you need assistance.

Stay warm and dry. Put on extra clothing to avoid hypothermia. Build a fire to keep warm and to help with your rescue. Drink plenty of water. Do not let yourself get dehydrated. Purify the water from natural resources. Seek some sort of shelter for protection and comfort. Eat foods to keep your energy. Some berries, plants and insects can be eaten safely. Learn which ones by making this part of your trip planning and preparation. If injured, first aid should be administered as necessary.

Know your Mushroom. Some mushroom are very identical, but only one can be edible, and the other could be the poisonous and fatal one. Stick to the mushroom species that you know perfectly well. ‘This might be…’ never exist. Never guess.

Happy Hunting!

Rain and Wet Hunt

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A Must Have Mushroom Hunting Gear Checklist:

Most germinate species grow in abundance in the rainy area and wet soil. When you hunt these wilds, always get yourself a complete checklist and be a full armored mushroom hunter:

On Your Body:

__ Polyester or wool clothes
__ Rain jacket
__ Rain pants
__ Gaters
__ Sturdy moisture proof boots
__ Hat - appropriate for conditions
__ Mittens/gloves
__ Wristwatch
__ Compass - Recommended compasses:
__ Hand Lens
__ Whistle
__ FRS walkie-talkie radios* (optional)
__ GPS (optional)

In Your Flat- Bottomed Basket:

__ Waxed paper bags
__ Knife, brightly marked
__ Brown paper bags

In Your Knapsack:

__ Good map of the area
__ Lunch
__ Water
__ Extra Clothes
__ Sunscreen
__ Insect repellent
__ Trowel and Toilet Paper
__ Field guides and key
__ Notebook & pencil
__ Spore print making equipment (black and white paper)
__ Photography equipment
__ Emergency blanket
__ First Aid Kit
__ Matches (waterproof)

*A happy and useful addition to the above might include two or more FRS walkie-talkies. This new type of radio is small, effective over several miles and often modestly priced. FRS radios do not require a license. They're a great way to stay in touch with your fellow mushroom hunters in the woods and during any caravan drive to the hunting area. You can find FRS radios at most sporting goods and consumer electronics stores. (FRS radios are different from CB radios, and MUCH better in all respects.)[recommeded by Oregon Mycological Society].

Spring Mushroom-Hunting Season

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The spring mushroom hunting season has begun as the sprout of the morels and other tasty ‘shrooms’ offering their generous germination. Spring morels is the fungus that we can often spot at the river banks and along the hill corridor that close to the water. Among the other include boletus, and puff-ball mushrooms.

My favorite place for these ‘phantom tower’ morels hunting places are at the quarry in the Rogue River, and Gold Hill corridor in the Butte Falls. Some of the best mushroom hunting will come in May in the Howard Prairie area as well, we had a good hunt over the past couple of seasons. Mushrooms tend to sprout handsomely and in their thickest in the burned or logged forest, and they enjoy sprouting at busy walking traffic / disturbing soil.

You need to get a permit for mushroom harvest on federal lands. BLM (Bureau of Land Management) mushrooms permits cost $10 a day, or $35 a week, Or, $100 for six months permit is available. On the Klamath Forest, the selling of three types of permit for $10 and that permit allows mushroom harvest on Forest Service lands for 10 non-consecutive days. $50 for permit of 30 consecutive days and while a seasonal permit cost $100. All spring mushroom hunting permit expire July 31st.

Get gear up and ready for the most delicious, ugliest ‘Phantom Tower’ Morel Mushroom hunting in early spring.

Hearty Mushroom Feast

2008-04-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

Poisonous Beauty

2008-04-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

Lots of Chanterelle and Fun with My Buddies

2008-04-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

First Morel In Spring

2008-04-07T19:11:00.000-07:00

Lobster Mushroom

2008-03-30T00:23:00.000-07:00