Mushroom mushroom harvest season set to begin

Four national forests in Oregon will open the 2014 harvest season for Matsutake mushrooms following Labor Day weekend.

Matsutake mushroom season opens on Tuesday, September 2, on the Deschutes, Fremont-Winema, Umpqua, and Willamette National Forests. The 2014 season runs September 2 to November 2.

The Chemult and Crescent Ranger District offices will open from 6:30 AM to 4:00 PM, opening day; September 2nd for permit sales and will remain open until 4:30 for other business. Starting September 3 permits will be sold during regular business hours.

Anyone harvesting Matsutake mushrooms on National Forest land must purchase a commercial harvest permit. Permits cost $200 for the 62 day season, $100 for a half season permit (valid for 31 consecutive days) or $8 per day with a three-day minimum purchase (picking days need not be consecutive). Harvesters must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid ID in order to purchase a permit.

Regular office hours are Monday thru Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Chemult Ranger District, 110500 Hwy 97 North, Chemult, OR; and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Crescent Ranger District, 136471 Hwy 97 North, Crescent, OR. Permits are also available at other ranger district offices of the Deschutes, Fremont-Winema, Umpqua, and Willamette National Forests.

Each purchase of a permit will include an informational synopsis and map. The map shows areas open to harvest. Areas closed to harvest include Crater Lake National Park, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, HJ Andrews Experimental Forest, and Research Natural Areas, Wilderness areas, Oregon Cascades Recreation Area (OCRA), campgrounds and other posted closed areas.

The Forest Service requires commercial harvesters to have written permission from the agency to camp on any National Forest, except in designated camping areas. A campground for harvesters has been established at Little Odell Mushroom Camp near Crescent Lake, OR. Hoodoo Recreation Services will manage the camp. The per-person rate for camping is $125 for the full two month season, $75 for a half-season and $40 per week. Site occupancy allows up to 8 persons and 2 vehicles. Water, garbage, and toilet services are provided. The camp will open on September 2, 2014. For more information about rates or services at Little Odell Mushroom Camp you can contact Hoodoo at 541-338-7869 or www.hoodoo.com.

For more information about the Matsutake mushroom program contact one of these participating Forest Service offices: Chemult Ranger District at 541-365-7001, Crescent Ranger District at 541-433-3200, Umpqua National Forest at 541-957-3255, or the Willamette National Forest at 541-225-6300.

Mushroom harvesters are reminded that due to EXTREME fire danger within the Fremont-Winema and Deschutes National Forests Public Use Restrictions are in effect and must be followed. For information on these restrictions, harvesters can call 541-947-6249 (Fremont-Winema NF) or 541- 433-3200 (Deschutes NF). Currently the Umpqua NF and Willamette NF have no Public Use Restrictions.