MUSHROOM HUNTERS
A Hunting We Will Go
Mushrooms! So many shapes, colors, sizes - unusual designs. They can grow right out of the side of a tree - or knit themselves into a rotted log. They appear suddenly and vanish just as quickly!
Mushroom Hunters can find a cove of wondrous fungus goodies in the Great Outdoors, that are not only delicious, but beautiful and sometimes spell-binding. Here are a few tips to keep your journey a safe one:
- Purchase a mushroom manual for identification purposes, or check out a guidebook from your local library.
- Take along a mushroom expert until you feel confident in your mushroom knowledge. Poisonous mushroom stories are a bit like shark-attack stories, a bit blown out of proportion. However, all it takes is one tiny bite from the wrong plant (or the wrong fish). So be on the safe side; exercise extreme caution.
- Mushrooms love marshy ground. They can grow in most any spot, so keep a lookout on the ground along the trail, off the trail, even on rotted logs and live trees.
- If you intend to handle mushrooms, take along protective gloves.
- Start a Mushroom Journal and see how many species you can document over time. This is a great educational project for a child.
- Don't forget your camera when hunting mushrooms. You'll find some spectacular photo opportunities when mushrooms are involved.
- If you are able to confidently collect some edible mushrooms, carefully store them in a cloth bag after gathering.
- Use a small new paintbrush to remove the dirt from the mushrooms.
- Mushrooms can be grilled, stirfried, roasted, broiled, pan-fried or tossed into a favorite casserole or soup.
Mushroom hunting is an experience to be enjoyed by people young and old. Many exhibit vibrant colors. All grow extremely fast and are just as short-lived. Catch the magic before it vanishes!
