Securing permits to gather wild mushrooms in the woodlands of Oregon can be a little intimidating (not to mention onerous!) so we really appreciate how Tamara Hartley (OMS Field Trip Coordinator) has condensed this information into a very usable reference. We're passing on her information because all of us need to be aware of the permit requirements. Two thumbs up, Tamara, for this public service!
Not all mushrooms are edible but all are
lovely to gaze upon, such as these non-edibles
growing on a tree near to our home.
Shown below in italics is what Tamara wrote for the Oregon Mycological Society's e-mail dated November 18, 2018:
Are you ready for mushroom season? If you don’t already have your mushroom permit(s), please plan ahead and get your permit(s). Unfortunately there is no ONE place you can go for information on getting mushroom permits. Public lands are governed according to individual city, county, and state laws. National forests do not even have uniform rules, so you must do your homework! For your convenience, we have listed a few places within a couple of hours of Portland with the rules that are currently published. Information changes, so always check for updates before you go. Ranger stations and permitting offices are not always open when an OMS leader has a field trip, so you need to plan accordingly. Many are not open on the weekends except for summer hours.
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
You can now obtain your permit online and print it yourself. Go to https://apps.fs.usda.gov/gp/
There is no charge for a personal use mushroom permit. One must be obtained each calendar year. The permit if valid for 10 days per calendar year; the days may be non-consecutive. A permit allows a person to pick up to 3 gallons per day for 10 calendar days the year of issue. For updates, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/giffordpinchot/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=fsbdev3_004906
Mt. Hood National Forest
A permit is not required if you pick mushrooms for personal consumption while on Mt. Hood when you are camping, picnicking or hiking. A free use/personal use permit is required to pick and remove mushrooms from Mt. Hood National Forest for personal use. All free use permits are good for the calendar year they are obtained – meaning your permit is valid until its quantity is reached, or until December 31 of the year it is issued. Each permit allows harvest of up to 1 gallon per day. The limit is a total of 10 gallons. If you wish to collect more than 1 gallon per day, you should purchase a fee permit. Please visit the OMS or Mt. Hood website for ranger station locations to get a permit
An additional, separate permit is required to pick mushrooms for personal use in the Old Maid Flats (Zigzag) area. Only 20 permits are issued each day in the fall; the dated permit is available from the Zigzag Ranger Station.
For more information and updates, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/passes-permits/forestproducts.
Free use mushroom harvest maps are available at www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mthood/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=STELPRDB5394011.
Tillamook State Forest
No permit is required for collecting the following products and amounts for personal use from state forestland in the Astoria, Tillamook, Forest Grove, North Cascade, or West Oregon Districts.
The limit for collecting mushrooms for personal use is 1 gallon or less per vehicle.
Oregon State Parks and Recreation Areas
Unless otherwise posted a person may gather for personal consumption berries, fruits, mushrooms, or similar edibles in quantities not to exceed five gallons per person per day. Please check with the rangers of the state park.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
There are no requirements for a permit to collect mushrooms for personal use on lands managed by the BLM. Up to 1 gallon of mushrooms per person per day is allowed.