Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Brian Alexander encountered a vehicle occupied by two males while patrolling in Grays Harbor during the deer season.

Upon contact the pair stated they were just looking for mushrooms. When asked how they got entry onto the property they were on, one subject stated they waited for someone to open the gate and they drove in behind them.

They initially denied having harvested any mushrooms and then stated they had “some.” An inspection revealed 179 pounds of chanterelle mushrooms they had illegally harvested that morning. The mushrooms were seized, and the pair were escorted off the property.

The mushrooms were taken to a buyer and sold with the proceeds being held by the court. The pair are being cited for trespassing and no forest products permit.

Wild edible mushrooms require a specialized forest products permit to harvest and possess in quantities greater than 5 gallons. Landowner permission is required to possess lesser quantities from private property.

Each public land agency within Washington state has its own rules regarding harvesting mushrooms and limitations for personal use. Some require permits and different regions under a jurisdiction may have different rules.