How to Be a Mushroom Hunter

I first became interested in mushrooms the summer after my junior year in high school. We had just moved to our new farm house, and most of the remodeling and yard work was done. Outside of my sister's new room, however, there were two large problems yet in need of remedy: a pair of ancient elm trees that were beginning to worm their way beneath the house's foundation. The trees were old and, of course, it was a shame we had to cut them down, but being a strapping young lad with a propensity for chain-saws and general destruction I volunteered myself for the position of executioner. It rained the next few nights, and from the chain-chewn ruins of the two elm trees grew new life; a fungal phoenix from the ashes, so to speak. Mushrooms. Within a week, a whole colony of small brown mushrooms (not to be confused with Little Brown Mushrooms) had taken over the yard. Fascinated by these strange "creatures", I turned to the Internet for research...

I am now what you would call a mushroom hunter or a mushroom enthusiast. Some would even call me a mycophile. I've always had difficulty explaining to friends and family how I can be so interested in mushrooms when I can't stomach the smell or taste of them. The best explanation I can give is that mushroom hunting is akin to bird watching. Some, like me, do it for the thrill of discovery, while others actually eat what they find. A common misconception is that any person seeking wild mushrooms is probably looking to get high, or to poison themselves trying. Few people see mushroom hunting as a worthwhile and stimulating hobby. Here in the States especially, mushroom hunting is generally unheard of, looked down upon, or seen as something of an eccentricity. It is not, however, seen that way in all parts of the world. In Europe, mushroom hunting is a somewhat popular way to relax, after which the mushrooms are eaten over a Sunday dinner.

Mushroom hunting can be a unique and gratifying hobby. The first, most obvious reason to look for mushrooms, is for food. Mushrooms have a unique taste that cannot be found elsewhere. A sauteed Portabella mushroom made with the right spices can be made to taste like a fat-free, well seasoned steak. They are also an excellent source of vitamins B, D, and K. Another reason mushroom hunting is a worthwhile hobby is that one develops a certain excitement for the hunt. Mushrooms can be every bit as beautiful as birds and even more appealing; also, they hold still while you take pictures! There is a certain appeal to the strangeness and unfamiliarity of mushrooms themselves, and the fact that you can only see them for a short time after it rains makes finding them all the more satisfying.

If you yourself are interested in mushrooming (hunting for mushrooms) it is a considerably easy hobby to pick up. The best time to look for mushrooms is in the spring or fall after a rain. Fungi need rain to start the fruiting process, so as little as a day should be sufficient time for you to at least see pinheads, if not decent sized mushrooms. Mushrooms can grow anywhere, but to truly refine the art of mushroom hunting, you must learn where they are most likely to grow. As mushrooms have no skin, they lose water very quickly, so shade and humidity are the preferred conditions. They are also partial to dark or shady places. Lastly, while mushrooms may grow quickly, they die even quicker, so after a rain you must move at a smart pace to get some healthy specimens. Another wonderful thing about mushroom hunting, is that you can do it guilt-free. Unlike plants or insects, you may take a mushroom home with you, and it will do absolutely no damage to the fungus itself: another mushroom will just grow to replace it. Anyone who has ever tried to get rid of a mushroom problem will tell you that it isn't easy to get rid of mushrooms that want to grow. Even if you uproot them, and take some mycelium with you, there is still plenty more to produce its fruit.

A word of word of warning, however: before you decide to ingest the mushrooms you find on your hunt, be sure to assess whether or not the risk is worth it. Even mushroom experts (mycologists) have suffered the ultimate consequence due to a misstep in judgment. According to one expert, Tom Volk, the number of species of mushrooms in existence has been estimated at 70,000. Volk further estimates that of the 70,000 or so species, there are about 250 tasty species, and about 250 deadly ones. The rest are somewhat neutral, being neither good to eat, nor overly poisonous. It is critical, however, that you be experienced in mushroom identification before popping that prize 'shroom into your mouth. You may find yourself on an unintended wild ride if you ingest the wrong sort of mushroom, but that wild ride may be in an ambulance if you are unlucky. In general, however, the worst that would happen would be a miserable stomach ache followed up by an acute case of gas.

Before I conclude, I would like to leave you with a few important tips and precautions. If you plan to eat mushrooms that you yourself have picked, be sure to get several specimens to help you identify what type of mushrooms you have found. When you feel that you are one hundred percent sure of your identification, recheck it. Also, make sure to check that the mushroom you are going to eat is not rotten or infested with insects. Incidentally, if you should happen to feel queasy after eating home picked mushrooms, it may simply be that they were overripe, or that you have overindulged. Many mistaken cases of poisoning have actually been the result of overindulgence. Above all, have fun, and always follow the mushroom hunter's rule, coined by David Arora, "When in doubt, throw it out!" If you are interested in seeing some excellent pictures of mushrooms, Tom Volk's site listed in the bibliography has a huge archive of them. Odds are that you will be surprised at how wildly colorful and oddly shaped they can be. Works Consulted

Arora, D. (1986). Mushrooms Demystified. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press.

Volk, T. (2003, February 5).General Mushroom Information. Tom Volk's Fungi [Online]. Available http: http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/