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Mushroom Hunting Made Easy

Gold Cutlery

Food Focused

The focus is on edible mushrooms and how to distinguish them from look a-likes 
 
Image by Michał Bożek

For Amateurs 

Bite-sized lessons are written in plain English and built to act like a digital mentor in your pocket
Image by GeoJango Maps

Real Directions

Timely advice that teaches you when to go, where to go, and exactly where to look 
 
Image by Jamie Street

Learn where to look

  • Can I eat this?
    A single source, like this website, can never safely answer this question for you. I recommend you check several sources, collect and examine the specimen several times, and get a second opinion before you eat a mushroom for the first time. See how I Eat a Mushroom for the First Time, every time.
  • Is PNW Fungi Forager run by professionals or scientists?
    No. I'm an enthusiast who has been finding and eating mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest for 20 years, who has also made a successful career making complex information easy to understand. PNW Fungi Forager my attempt to simplify foraging for beginners.
  • I found a mushroom that isn't described on PNW Fungi Forager, what does that mean?
    The mission of this website is to help you find and identify choice edible mushrooms in Washington and Oregon. To make that information easy to navigate I only describe the common poisonous mushrooms, edible mushrooms, and mushrooms that look like edible mushrooms. Most mushrooms are neither edible nor poisonous, and many edible mushrooms are uncommon in our area or not considered 'choice'. There are many excellent books and websites that attempt to cover all mushrooms, my favorites can be found on the Resources Page.
  • What is the Pacific Northwest?
    The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is a lush, forest-filled region in the northwestern corner of North America, known for its towering evergreens, rainy weather, and incredible wild mushrooms. While definitions can vary a little, here’s what’s usually included: 📍 States & Provinces in the PNW United States: Washington State (the rainy green one, not D.C.!) Oregon State Canada: British Columbia (especially coastal B.C. and Vancouver Island)​​ 🗺️ Major Cities Seattle, WA – The heart of the tech-meets-forest vibe Portland, OR – Known for eco-conscious culture & food scene Eugene, OR – A university town surrounded by green Olympia, WA – Washington’s capital and gateway to wild lands Vancouver, BC – A coastal city nestled between ocean and mountains ​​​​ ⛰️ Geographic Highlights Cascade Range – A dramatic mountain range inc. Mt Baker, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. St. Helen's Olympic Peninsula – Home to temperate rainforests, Olympic Mountains, and wild coasts in Washington Columbia River Gorge – A massive river canyon between WA and OR San Juan Islands – A misty maze of forested islands off the coast of Washington Puget Sound – A maze of water and forested islands in WA
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