JOHN DAY — As the snow retreats, the mushrooms return.

Personal-use mushroom picking is free on national forest land and does not require a permit or payment under the legal limits, which allows a person to harvest, possess, or transport less than a gallon in Oregon and less than 5 gallons in Washington. These free mushrooms are only available for personal consumption and cannot be sold, bartered or given away, Forest Service officials said.

A commercial mushroom permit is required for those who intend to harvest mushrooms to sell, or individuals who plan to harvest, possess or transport more than 1 gallon in Oregon or more than 5 gallons in Washington. Commercial mushroom picking is prohibited in designated wilderness areas, but mushrooms can be harvested for free use within wilderness areas, up to the legal daily limits identified for each state.

“It’s a fun local hobby for people for personal use, which is free, and you do see some of the commercial folks coming into the area as well,” said Malheur National Forest spokeswoman Amy Franklin, who added that morel mushrooms are particularly popular. “We do see the commercial permits.”

Commercial mushroom permits cost $2 per day, with a minimum purchase of 10 days ($20). An annual permit (valid from May 1–Dec. 31) is available for $100. An individual must be 18 or older to purchase a permit.

The Forest Service requires an industrial camping permit if commercial mushroom harvesters and buyers plan to camp overnight on National Forest System lands. Industrial camping permits can be obtained at the local ranger district office or electronically by contacting the forest where the individual plans to harvest. Commercial mushroom harvesters and buyers are prohibited from camping in developed campgrounds, officials said.

Maps of camping areas will be provided with the permit and are also available on the websites for the Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman national forests, listed below:

• https://tinyurl.com/mrxfv7ee

• https://tinyurl.com/yvw2ywje

• https://tinyurl.com/rdpdkjc4

Some mushroom hunters are interested in harvesting within past prescribed burn or wildfire areas. Past prescribed burn locations are identified on an interactive prescribed fire map for the Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman national forests. To locate recent wildfires, please refer to the National Interagency Fire Center’s interactive wildfire map.

Officials advise caution when entering a recently burned area and urge mushroom pickers to be aware of increased hazards, particularly snags. Dead or dying trees that remain standing after a fire are unstable, especially in high winds. Temporary road and area closures may also still be in effect from wildfires where unsafe conditions, such as hazard trees, are still being mitigated, officials said.

With the growing interest in harvesting mushrooms from national forests, proper identification and determination of whether a mushroom is edible or poisonous is important and is the responsibility of the picker. Officials advise the use of guidebooks to assist with identification.

Officials advise the public to check with the local ranger district office for updates on road conditions and current closures.