So I'm kinda clawing for some tips for a first time forager. Other than my first trip where I found a few lobsters I have since found nothing. My latest venture today I think I may have had the wrong habitat. I was around the eastern side of grouse and I was hiking up and down and running into alot of moss and fern infested areas, but there was also alot of huckle berry type shrubs and I think young hemlock saplings growing. Im guessing maybe the wrong type of area? I was told salal is usually around chanterelles...and there was plenty...but found no evidence. I went further up the mountain and hit cedars so I figured that's no good either. Can anyone offer some tips? how far into the wood should I have to go off a trail or side road, does that matter? Would anyone be interested in going on a foray? I dont expect to be shown your spots of course but maybe do some prospecting, show what I should be looking for. any help would be greatly appreciated, and again this is just a new hobby I want to take up. not into it for any commercial gain. thanks everyone
If you're looking for Chanterelles, try forests under 450 m elevation that have lots of good-sized Douglas Fir trees. They don't mind salal, but they're much easier to spot in open woods with little undergrowth. The North Shore mountains are loaded with Chanterelles; you shouldn't have any problem finding at least a few of them. Being on or off a trail shouldn't make any difference.
I think that may have been the problem with yesterday. I noticed there was alot of undergrowth and that gave me a bad feeling. I think I need to switch over to another mountain area. Also, should I be avoid areas with lots of dead fall? rotting trees and fallen branches? thank you for the reply
As with salal, Chanterelles don't mind rotting trees and fallen branches; but they will be more difficult to see in such situations. Those areas should be good for Winter Chanterelles; so you could keep that in mind for later in the season.
In my area, Oaks are a sure place to find Chants.... Fallen log areas in my location are now full of other great edibles like Destructive Pholiota and tons of Oysters.