Braxton Taylor
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Sergeant Alexander was patrolling during deer season when he encountered some unexpected law violators.
According to a press release from WDFW, two males were in a vehicle, and when the sergeant asked what they were up to, stated that they were “just looking for mushrooms.” The officer then asked how they got entry to the private property they were on, and apparently, they just waited for someone to open a gate, and they drove in behind them—as if that were an open invite. This, among many other reasons (mainly livestock), is why you leave a closed gate closed and an open gate open. Keep the cows in and the riff-raff out.
They first denied harvesting any mushrooms, but then stated they had “some.” That’s the understatement of the century—Sergeant Alexander found 179 pounds of chanterelle mushrooms in possession of the two in question.
In Washington, wild edible mushrooms require a specialized forest products permit to harvest and possess in quantities greater than five gallons. Additionally, landowner permission is required to possess lesser quantities from private property. This pair had neither.
Needless to say, the mushrooms were seized, and the foragers running foul of the law were escorted from the property.
Don’t worry, mushroom lovers, the chanterelle contraband was not locked away in an evidence locker to wither away in wanton waste. Instead, the haul of yellow gold was sold to a buyer and the proceeds are currently being held by the court. At least someone is getting to enjoy that delicious, buttery yellow fungi.
The market value of chanterelles is about $25 per pound and only goes up from there. So that haul would’ve been about $5,000. The court will determine if the combined fines for trespassing and not having a forest products permit will surpass that sum.
Each public land agency within Washington State has its own rules regarding harvesting mushrooms and limitations for personal use. Some require permits, and different regions under a jurisdiction may have different rules on top of the statewide regulations. For a guide to legally harvesting mushrooms in Washington, click here. If you’re looking for more general information on harvesting chanterelles, click here.
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