Hunting for mushrooms? Follow these 4 essential safety rules

With the ever-increasing popularity of mushroom hunting in Canada, there’s a critically important concept beginner foragers need to fully understand: mushrooms are little chemical factories. Some of the compounds they produce are delicious, and some can help us heal. Others can make us extremely ill, however, and some can even kill us, such as those found in the deadly Amanita bisporigera (pictured above).

That makes it extremely important to be able to tell the difference between toxic fungi and those that  are safe to eat. If you’re new to mushroom hunting, here are four key rules to keep in mind.

#1  EDUCATE YOURSELF

Before you even think about bringing any wild mushrooms into your kitchen, learn to identify the common edible species and, more importantly, the toxic species in your area. Carefully study mushroom anatomy, invest in reputable field guides and take classes taught by experienced foragers. For example, I offer weekly in-person instruction on this very subject and more (follow this web link). Never rely solely on internet sources or apps on your phone for identification.

#2  START SLOWLY

Begin your mushroom hunting journey with easily identifiable species that have very few, if any, poisonous lookalikes. Good examples include morels (Morchella spp.), puffballs (Lycoperdon, Calvatia and Bovista spp.) and chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus and Laetiporus cincinnatus).

#3  VERIFY THOROUGHLY

Cross-reference your initial identification using multiple reliable sources, such as reputable field guides and online resources. If possible, also consult with an experienced forager to confirm your finds. Always cross-reference your initial identification using multiple reliable sources, such as reputable field guides and online resources. If possible, also consult with an experienced forager to confirm your finds. Never consume any wild mushroom unless you’re 100 per cent certain of its identity. There are no maybes in mushroom hunting. If you’re unsure about a mushroom, leave it in the woods. As the wise old saying goes, “There are old mushroom hunters, and there are bold mushroom hunters, but there are no old, bold mushroom hunters!”

#4  RESPECT THE LAND

Be mindful of the delicate ecosystems where wild mushrooms flourish. Harvest fungi responsibly by only taking what you intend to use, and leave some behind—especially when harvesting juvenile specimens that have yet to release spores. Fungi differ significantly from plants in the ways they grow and reproduce, so even though overharvesting is rarely an issue, it’s worth keeping in mind that mushrooms are also an important food source for wildlife. Safe hunting!

Interested in learning more about mushrooms and foraging from Stephan Lukacic? Go to www.outdoorcanada.ca/fungi.