REDDING, CA., May 18, 2023 —While many outdoor enthusiasts take to the Shasta-Trinity National
Forest during spring to enjoy wildflowers, hunt, or fish, some venture out in search of wild mushrooms.
Spring mushroom harvest season is about to begin on the Shasta McCloud Management Unit, starting
later than last season due to the amount of snow still present. The Shasta McCloud Unit will start
issuing commercial permits on the 22nd of May. The end of the season will be the 31st of July 2023.
Wild mushrooms typically grow under the cover of leaves, dead wood, and other forest debris, quickly
emerging after moderate or heavy rain. Among the more popular mushrooms available are morels and
boletus. “Forest visitors new to harvesting mushrooms should familiarize themselves with how to
differentiate between edible and poisonous varieties. Some show similar characteristics, it is always
best to go with someone who knows what they are doing when starting out.
Under Incidental Use, mushrooms may be harvested for personal use up to one gallon per day with a
five-gallon yearly limit. Mushrooms harvested under Incidental Use cannot be sold or exchanged.
Mushrooms with a cap diameter equal to or greater than two inches must be cut or broken into quarter
sections as soon as they are picked. Following the harvest regulations detailed on the Special Forest
Products Incidental Use Guide will allow for future growth for years to come.
Commercial Use permits may be purchased by anyone 18 years or older. Permit rates are $1.00 per
pound or 5 pounds/$5 per day. The minimum commercial use permit that can be purchased is a $20
permit for twenty pounds, and the permit is valid for 4 days. Additional days can be purchased at $5.00
per day. The maximum Commercial Use permit which can be purchased is a $150 permit for 150
pounds that is valid for 29 days after the purchase date. All permits are issued on an individual basis.
Commercial Use permits are available at both the McCloud and Mt. Shasta Ranger Stations. Permit
holders are required to accurately fill out the “Product Record of Removal” section on the permit as
described in the document. These permits are not valid on private lands.
Please note that there are rules against raking ground litter as it destroys the mushroom ‘beds’ and it
takes quite a long time for them to recover. Additionally, we encourage you to be courteous to other
pickers, pack out what garbage you pack into the forest, and try to be light on the land, especially when
roadways are wet and muddy. This was a very wet year, many of the roads are likely to be saturated
and soft. Please also use caution and watch for fallen trees and road surface damage while you are
driving. As you walk through the woods, please look up occasionally and watch for overhead hazards.
For further information about safe types of mushrooms and environmentally protective harvesting
methods, please contact: The McCloud Ranger Station at (530) 964-2184 or the Mt. Shasta Ranger
Station at (530) 926-4511
###
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Contact: Ruth Esperance
(605) 381-5111
ruth.esperance@usda.gov
www.fs.usda.gov/stnf
Press Release: Mushrooms 5.18.23
