Is it legal to pick mushrooms on BLM land in California?
I was camping on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management in California and was wondering if I can pick mushrooms on the land? It's publicly owned so do I have a right to pick any mushrooms I find? Acknowledging both the dangers of eating any mushrooms found in the wild and that no one would probably ever know, I'm still curious about the technicalities of the law in this situation.
Answers ( 1 )
It's difficult to tell.
According to the BLM website you are allowed to get permits for forest products- including mushrooms.
https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/forests-and-woodlands/forest-product-permits
However, when I open the permit process instructions up, it says you need a permit, the process is easy, and then... "Currently only fuelwood permits for limited areas are available. Check back periodically for expanded areas and product offerings" So, it appears as if mushrooms are not part of the program.
Well, firewood is a big business for many side-job hustlers; a truckbed full- a day's hard work for one person- will fetch up to $500 if the season is colder or snowier or longer than anticipated. So, it isn't surprising firewood permits are given precedence in the process.
But, under the link, above, on the page is a list of states which have lands ripe for the pickings, so to speak, and California is one of them. However, there is no other information provided at that link, except, a link to the California BLM offices, which is bad, so searching gave me this one: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-programs/recreational-shooting/california which at least gives you a phone number.
Good luck. Give 'em a call, and ask your question directly to the people who actually know- or who better know the people who actually know.....