In my teens, someone suggested I gather up hobbies that I could do when I was 80. It sounded odd, but it was delivered with such conviction, I tucked it away. Getting close to 50 with the usual signs of aging, I see how my mushroom passion will be one of these all-ages activities for me. So far, it has offered a creative cooking outlet, a ready excuse to be in the woods, and a way to meet people passionate about conservation and slow living. If you think hunting wild mushrooms might tap into a core part of how you envision a happy life, here are my suggestions on how to start:
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- Try it out with enthusiasts. My first attempt to find wild mushrooms was off putting. The local mycological gathering I joined felt competitive and anti-social. I didn’t go back. Then, someone I knew shared his weekend adventures in the woods with me. Most convincingly, he shared a portion of his mushroom bounty with me. His abundance became my week-long cooking project. That’s how my story unfolded, but I wouldn’t wait around for a chance meeting. I have been meaning to connect with the Wisconsin Mycological Society who organize events and host educational sessions.
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Buy a field guide. Or, maybe three. I’ve found illustrated field guides super helpful. Photography makes everything seem important. If you’re hoping to eat your foraged finds, then you need to be sure that you’re able to confidently distinguish the edible from the poisonous. Illustrations focus the eye on the features of the mushroom that make it safe to eat. Here’s one I use frequently, written by Larry Weber and Cora Mullen.
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Find ways to deepen your experience. I’ve found chefs and foragers who post online. They lend me fresh energy with their finds and their enthusiasm. I follow Eugenia Bone because her cookbooks are consistently outstanding. She has one coming out about mushrooms. The Forager Chef is a favorite online resource; he just won a James Beard award, so there’s that.
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Already an expert? Would you share your favorite mushroom resources?
P.S. If you thought this would be a blog post on the best Wisconsin Northwoods spots to find rare mushrooms, sorry! How can I give up all my harvest grounds? Even if I did, I’m not sure it would help you pick up the habit. The woods and the seasonal rhythms are half the joy. Maybe more important and satisfying than the bounty. Well, maybe not…