A-Hunting we will go
By Ronda Addy

With over 50,000 different species of mushrooms, it's not surprising that some of them aren't edible. That is probably why the number one rule of mushroom hunting is to not eat anything you can't identify. Although it takes practice to learn what species to look for as well as where to look for them, mushroom hunting can be a lot of fun.

Certain types of mushrooms such as the king bolete, sulphur shelf, morel and chanterelle are easy to identify, but only experts should collect from groups like amanita, which includes some of the most toxic mushrooms around. Most mushrooms require very specific conditions to grow, such as temperature, humidity, light level, elevation and geographic location, which can make finding some species particularly difficult.

Until you gain some experience in mushroom hunting, it is a good idea to go with a knowledgeable hunter. Finding someone may not be easy. However, you might want to try a local mycological society. Until you have developed your identification skills, you should get a mushroom book with colored photos and other information to take along with you in the field.

Mushrooms can be found yearround, but the best time is the spring with midsummer to late fall a close second. After it rains is a good time to go, but in the event of a heavy rain, you might want to wait a couple of days for the mushrooms to dry out.

When hunting for mushrooms, you should look in the right areas. Stay away from all areas that have high growth, are extra marshy or have traces of chemicals or signs of pollution. Avoid private property, golf courses and busy roadsides; stick to wilderness trails or open fields instead.

You should also use the right equipment. Bring a basket to store the mushrooms in. Don't use a plastic bag, which will cause the mushrooms to get soggy and the bacteria on them to multiply. Bring a stick to help you dig up the mushrooms and a sturdy, sharp knife to trim stems and clean off the mushrooms (don't use water). Bring a notebook to write down the locations of all particularly good species instead of relying on your memory.

When you go out mushroom hunting, there are some safety rules you should observe. These include:

• Rely upon more than one source to identify a mushroom.

• Identify a mushroom using several factors, including size, color, odor, spore print, environment, cross section, gill connectivity and bruising color.

• Learn what poisonous mushrooms look like during all stages of development and don't attempt to hunt species that are hard to identify.

• Never eat a mushroom that has not been positively identified or does not look right.

• Do not combine known species with unknown species. One bad mushroom can poison the whole basket.

• Look for younger mushrooms to decrease the risk of an allergic reaction.

• Do not let children eat mushrooms while gathering them.

After collecting your mushrooms, take them home and process them quickly to prevent the growth of slugs and fly larvae. Throw out all parts containing these organisms. Take a small bite when eating a mushroom for the first time to see if you like it and wait a while before a second bite to see if you are allergic to it. Some of the more poisonous mushrooms manifest symptoms later. Keep one or a small piece of each type of mushroom you eat in case of an accidental poisoning.

Mushroom hunting can be a lot of fun, but it can also be extremely hazardous to your health if you don't pay attention to what you are doing. Start off slowly and build up to the really adventurous aspects of mushroom hunting.