mushroom harvesting

[ihunt]

some one posted a thread on a mushroom they came across. I come across a lot of mushrooms while outdoors and always wanted to learn about them, what's safe, what's not.

I thought we could start a thread on mushroom picking if there already isn't one. I know there are many web sites with plenty of pics and info but thought we could start our own in house mushroom thread with pictures and stories on mushrooms we come across. We can try to identify and learn more about common edible varieties

feel free to post pictures of mushrooms you come across and any information on what you know about them and others can offer feedback.

[longpointer]

This time of year there are only two types that I am 100 percent sure of to harvest and that's Puff Balls and/or French Morels aka Shaggy Manes. There was some Oak logs that the past owner grew shiitakes on but they don't produce much anymore. The internet and field guides help but if you can go picking with a professional picker is priceless and may save your life or at least a trip to the hospital.

[Bo D]

Shaggy Manes are just starting to show in my area... Great eating if you can get them within a day or two of popping up...

[ihunt]

This time of year there are only two types that I am 100 percent sure of to harvest and that's Puff Balls and/or French Morels aka Shaggy Manes. There was some Oak logs that the past owner grew shiitakes on but they don't produce much anymore. The internet and field guides help but if you can go picking with a professional picker is priceless and may save your life or at least a trip to the hospital.

Good to know thanks for the info in the couple mushrooms ghat are around this time of year. This is the kind of input I am hoping people will put out there. I agree learning with an experienced person is best and there is lots of great info out there. I haven’t had a chance to get out to the woods yet but hope to get some picks and post for feed back.

[longpointer]

Puff Balls are a little more tricky to find ; old cattle pastures or woods nearby them are good spots to look but Shaggy Manes could grow anywhere. Some of my best pickings was along boulevards out in Scarborough; usually after a rain. Watch for the old "inky" ones that have already opened is another good way to spot future picking areas and when you do find fresh shrooms to harvest always cut them at ground level, never pull them .

[huntervinni]

Puff Balls are a little more tricky to find ; old cattle pastures or woods nearby them are good spots to look but Shaggy Manes could grow anywhere. Some of my best pickings was along boulevards out in Scarborough; usually after a rain. Watch for the old "inky" ones that have already opened is another good way to spot future picking areas and when you do find fresh shrooms to harvest always cut them at ground level, never pull them .

Why can't you pull them?

[gbk]

Why can't you pull them?

Not a mushroomer-but i would guess,if you want mushrooms there next year too-better leave the "roots" intact.

[huntervinni]

Not a mushroomer-but i would guess,if you want mushrooms there next year too-better leave the "roots" intact.

Mushrooms do not have "roots" per se.....they are actually a fruit which you typically would pick. They then release spores which spread around the forest in hopes of spreading elsewhere. I've always picked my mushrooms and then cut off the soil part.

[finsfurfeathers]

Mushrooms do not have "roots" per se.....they are actually a fruit which you typically would pick. They then release spores which spread around the forest in hopes of spreading elsewhere. I've always picked my mushrooms and then cut off the soil part.

my guess is that the cap of the manes is very fragile and if pulled will fall apart.

[huntervinni]

my guess is that the cap of the manes is very fragile and if pulled will fall apart.

Which is why you should always pick any mushroom from the stem or stipe.