MUSHROOM HUNTING SEASON: Point-and-Shoot

HURRAY! It’s one of my favorite times of year! HUNTING SEASON IS OPEN!

Technically, this hunting season is always open, but the prizes are often hiding underground until fall, and then again in spring.

I love arming myself and heading out to shoot some of these beauties. All I need is my phone, or some other camera, and a desire to hunt and search for the elusive darlings of the fungal world. I’ve been hunting this way for years, and I feel the calling of the mushrooms as I walk past them. It’s as if they say, “Hello. We see you. Do you see us? Look how beautiful we are! Don’t you want to appreciate us?” My answer is an emphatic “Yes!”

For a very long time, I would simply notice and appreciate them, say hello, take a picture, and then continue on my way. But when a friend of mine mentioned a mushroom-hunting camp, one where I could learn how to identify all these varieties, proper handling techniques and the ethical treatment of these fascinating little beings, I immediately signed up. This is the third year I have been in attendance.

Camp Westwind is on the Oregon Coast just north of Lincoln City, with an old growth forest and rustic barracks like cabins. It is a summer camp for kids and families, but it remains open most of the year. The mushroom camp is currently the only adults-only camp I have noticed there. Visitors would do well to bring earplugs for sleeping and slippers for walking around inside the cabins without their muddy boots.

The staff at Westwind brings in excellent teachers for studying all things mycology. Not only have I learned about safe handling of these amazing terrestrial inhabitants, I now have experience in how to use them to make dyes, how to use them to make hidden temporary tattoos, how to see them at night through the magic of bioluminescence, how to identify many species, and several delicious ways cook them (although cooking is still on my “someday” to-do list.)

The sheer variety of mushrooms is amazing, and there are also many interesting lichens. Most people I talk with want to know about the magic kind of mushrooms, but those aren’t as common as someone might expect.

Many folks went home from camp with masutakis and chanterelles and several dyeing fungis. These are also jelly fungi, which I did not even realize existed until I found three different kinds last year (black witches’ butter, orange witches’ butter, and cat’s tongue) while out hunting with a guide.

I use the common names for mushrooms because I’m not well versed in Latin. However, all the serious folks rattle off the Latin terms like I should know what they are saying. I asked at this most recent camp why they do this, and the teacher replied with, “We would much rather confuse you than kill you.” Names matter, and while regional names for various fungi vary wildly, using the Latin name ensures people are talking about the correct fungi.

Mushrooms have many, many more uses than just psychedelic, enhanced experiences. I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, so be sure to check with your preferred medicinal authorities before ingesting. That said, there is evidence that lion’s mane can help heal our brains and nerves; chaga can help strengthen our immune systems and livers; turkey tail has been used to boost the immune system and gut health; reishi may promote restfulness and increased energy; shiitake may work wonders for our livers and hearts; cordyceps help boost energy levels; and maitake has been said to help with regulating blood sugar.

If you are interested in learning more about mushrooms, basic safety includes not eating anything unless you know exactly what it is. I have not yet gotten to the point where I feel comfortable harvesting and eating mushrooms myself. But, regardless of use, they are perfect models for my hunting and photo shooting excursions.

All photos by S. Cousins

S. Cousins

Community Editor. Interim News Editor / A&E Editor