By Douglas Scott
Living in Grays Harbor County, we have access to some of the most amazing nature activities in the country. I moved to Grays Harbor in middle school, where I spent many mornings before school on the beaches digging for razor clams. After school and sports practices, my family would head to the river to fish for salmon. With weekend hiking in the rainforest, or up on the ridges of the Olympic Mountains, I didn’t think I was missing much living on the Harbor. All that changed when I learned about the numerous species of mushrooms that are commonly found in the woods.
The Olympic Peninsula and Grays Harbor County are home to some of the most sought after and most delicious mushrooms in the world. From Chanterelles, Hedgehogs, Morels, Oysters, Boletes, and Chicken of the Woods, the mushrooms of Grays Harbor can be extremely delicious and can sell for quite lucrative prices. The Matsutake, also found around the region, reached nearly $200 a pound in Japan in 2009. While prices have fallen in the last few years, the economy of Washington gets quite a boost from our annual mushroom harvest.
While most of us aren’t looking to make our fortune in mushroom hunting, there are some tips to find some tasty treats in the woods around your house. Allison Maluchnik, a local mushroom and nature enthusiast with ties to Olympia and Hoquiam, has five tips that will help you have a great time looking for macro-fungi.
Buy, Study and Use a Good Field Guide
“A good guidebook on mushrooms can be the difference between a great day of hunting and getting incredibly sick” Allison told me. “I suggest the Field Guide to Edible Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest by Daniel Winkler.”
The book, with full color pictures of over thirty common edible mushrooms in the region is great for beginners. It shows differences between the edible and non-edible species in a very easy to understand manner. Once you buy a book, read it cover to cover and bring it with you next time you are in the woods. Being able to self-identify mushrooms is the most important step in having a good time gathering macro-fungi.
Start Hunting with an Experienced Mushroom Hunter
There are many similarities in color and size among the fungus species in Grays Harbor and getting to see them with someone who knows what they are doing can keep you healthy. While finding an experienced mushroomer may be tough, the South Sound Mushroom Club has compiled a great list of clubs around Washington State.
“Going with someone who knows what they are doing can take the mystery out of mushroom hunting and help you gain confidence in recognizing edible species,” Allison explains. “An expert can answer any questions you have and be able to show you the right terrain and locations of some of the best tasting mushrooms.”
Take Notes and Pictures
Studying and note taking can help you become more proficient with any activity, especially mushroom hunting. By documenting your adventures and taking notes of how you personally recognize edible species, you are actually using study skills long since abandoned for a new activity. Taking pictures and posting them online can also help identify a species that may not be in your guidebook.
“Taking notes and pictures when mushroom hunting is incredibly important,” stresses Allison. “I try to take pictures of mushrooms I don’t know or haven’t seen before and share it online so I can identify it. You can’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Know the Rules and Regulations
Knowing the rules and regulations of mushroom hunting is yet another key aspect to starting this fun activity. According to the Puget Sound Mycological Society, “Washington state is divided into numerous federal, state, local and Native American jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction has its own rules (or not) and its own way of publishing and enforcing these rules (or not.)”
Knowing who to contact and what to ask can be confusing, but the Department of Natural Resources is usually your best step. Besides being able to direct you to the proper person to speak with, they also have information on harvest locations and limits.
Join a Mushroom Club or Attend a Conference.
Attending a conference is a great way to not only take classes on identification, but to also get involved with the mushroom hunting community. One such event is happening soon. On the weekend of October 17 – 19, the Lake Quinault Lodge is hosting their 12th Annual Mushroom Festival. With 13 different events and classes, including a field to gather mushrooms with experts, this is a great event for mushroom hunters of all levels. Classes will range from an introduction course in mushroom collecting and identification to tips on how to grow mushrooms at home and how to cook them in the best way.
While the cost ($70 for three days) may seem steep, the fee includes all classes, access to speakers, a wine and cheese social, a field trip and a buffet lunch. For more information on the cost, please call the Lake Quinault Lodge at 360-288-2900. Additional information on this event can be found at the Lake Quinault Lodge website.
Finally, mushroom hunting may seem daunting at first, but after a few trips with an expert, studying a well-written field guide and attending an event, it can become quite an addicting activity. We are lucky enough to live in an area where mushrooms literally grow in our backyards, and learning about them is a great family-friendly, inexpensive activity that helps us all deal find joy in the typically dreary, gray fall months. This weekend, pick up a book, contact a group or head to Lake Quinault and learn everything there is to know about fungi in Grays Harbor and the Olympic Peninsula.
