The Siuslaw National Forest will begin selling commercial matsutake mushroom collection permits on Sept. 8, forest officials announced.
Permit sales open at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Reedsport office. Once the initial sale concludes, remaining permits will be sold in person at the Reedsport and Waldport offices, which handle permit sales from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays. Only 100 commercial-use permits are issued each year, distributed first-come, first-served.
The permits, which cost $200, allow collection of matsutake mushrooms within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and the Central Coast Ranger District. A permit is required for anyone gathering more than six matsutakes in a day or collecting mushrooms to sell. Harvesters must be at least 18 years old and present valid identification issued by a state or the federal government. Permits purchased this fall remain valid through Dec. 31.
Forest Service officials cautioned that poisonous mushrooms resembling matsutakes can be found in the same areas. Harvesters are also asked to avoid disturbing topsoil by digging or raking while searching, and to replace soil or debris around the base of the mushroom and fill in any holes left after harvesting.
More information on mushroom collection rules is available on the USDA website or by calling the Reedsport office at 541-271-6000 or the Waldport office at 541-563-8400.