Love a Happy Ending Lifestyle Magazine August 2013 | Page 15

never seen a wolf or cougar out there sharing my picking territory. Still, it’s a good idea to
carry bear spray just in case. Don’t let these things unnerve you. It’s beautiful and silent in
the woods. Very peaceful for the soul. I’m always happy after a day of mushroom picking. If I
hadn’t made the effort I would have remained unaware of these subtler beauties of nature.
Most mushrooms have a look-alike that is highly likely to be inedible if not poisonous. I’m
careful not to pick any mushroom I’m not sure of. It’s always best to go with an expert until
you learn to identify your mushrooms beyond doubt. Have them sort through your
mushrooms before you take them home to make sure you don’t have any poisonous ones
hiding in the bag.
The rule of thumb for mushroom identification
is, “If in doubt, throw it out.” Before you
go out into the woods, make sure you
have a buddy. It’s never a good idea to
go alone. Here is a list of the basic gear
and supplies I take with me. In a large
fanny pack, I put a simple first aid and
survival kit together. Bandaids, tensor
bandage (in case of a sprained ankle),
small scissors and tape, a lighter (in
case I need to make a fire), pocket
knife, bear spray, a whistle (in case I get
lost), mushroom scissors or a small
paring knife, flagging tape, large plastic
garbage bag to wear if lost in bad
weather, and a good, reliable compass.
It’s a good idea to put your car keys in a
very safe place where they won’t get lost.
You can read about one of my mushroom adventures involving lost keys
http://wordsfromanneli.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/key-moments/.
GPS is very nice but in the woods under a dense canopy of fir trees the GPS doesn’t get a
signal. There is also rarely a cell phone signal. This is why a compass is so important.
Gaiters are a wonderful invention and are ideally suited for walking through the wet
underbrush where chanterelles can be found. Wearing gaiters helps keep the fir needles out
of your boots and keeps your pants dry from knees to ankles. Be aware that when
everything is damp, as it must be for the best mushroom picking, fallen logs can be slippery.
You’d swear someone had slathered grease on them. Use caution.
Chanterelles are often found on slopes where fir trees grow and the undergrowth is less than
waist deep. Ideally there is a lake or river at the bottom of the hillside. This type of watershed
is likely to support this type of mushroom. If you find yourself wandering into areas of
deciduous growth, your chances of finding chanterelles decrease dramatically.
Be sure to bring a picnic lunch as you’ll work up a healthy appetite. The nearby lake or river
may be a perfect spot for a picnic. If it starts pouring rain, sit in your vehicle to have your
lunch and enjoy listening to the rain on the roof. If you go mushrooming on a rainy day, be
sure to bring a change of clothes.
All the effort of going out into the woods to hunt for mushrooms is worth it. After you’ve had
adventure, exercise, and fresh air, you’ll have a prize bag of chanterelles to go with an
omelette or a juicy steak for supper.
Brought to you by: Anneli Purchase
Website/blog: http://www.anneli-purchase.com/
Twitter: @Anneli33 FB: Anneli Purchase