Local News

Mushroom Season Underway

May 19, 2015

Mushroom season is underway on National Forest Lands in Okanogan County. Commercial and personal use pickers are seeking out morel mushrooms that often grow in areas that have recently burned.

The only area open to commercial harvest National Forest Lands in Okanogan County is last year’s Carlton Fire. Permits required for commercial pickers are available at the Methow Valley Ranger District in Winthrop, the Okanogan Valley Office in Okanogan and the Tonasket Ranger District in Tonasket.

Commercial pickers are encouraged to camp and utilize the facilities brought in for their use at the North Summit and Black Canyon Sno parks.

“We’ve added dumpsters and porta-potties to the sno parks to accommodate the increased use associated with commercial harvest,” said Mike Liu, District Ranger.

“Mushroom season is pretty weather dependent,” said Liu. “Wetting rains followed by sunshine bring on a flush of mushrooms in a cycle that continues until conditions heat-up and dry out to the point that the mushrooms quit growing.”

As a condition of their permits, commercial pickers are required to remove their garbage or utilize the dumpsters provided.

“We’ve also increased law enforcement during commercial mushroom season,” said Liu. “Officers from other Districts are helping with patrols.”

The only area open for commercial picking on National Forest Land is the Carlton Fire. Law Enforcement officers have seized several gallons of mushrooms and commercial permits from individuals picking outside the Carlton Fire.

Individuals who notice and would like to report violations are encouraged to contact the Methow Valley Ranger District at 509-996-4000. The reports are most useful when they include a description of the violation along with a description of the vehicles and individuals involved pictures, license plate numbers and State.

“For your own safety, never confront a violator,” said Liu. “And for emergency situations, or those requiring an immediate response, please call 911.”

Additional information about this year’s commercial or personal use mushroom gathering program is available at the Methow Valley Ranger District, 509-996-4000.