Mushroom season is still in full swing. This year Polish forests have been extremely bountiful, and mushroom-picking enthusiasts are busily stocking up for winter. Are you planning a trip to the forest to gather nature’s bounty too? Find out what you need to remember when heading out mushroom picking, so you neither get lost in the forest nor come home with an empty basket!
What time of day should you go mushroom picking?
Experienced mushroom pickers often follow their own calendar when planning a mushroom-picking trip. Many of them head into the forest just after a full moon, but there is no scientific evidence to confirm any link between the phases of the moon and mushroom growth.
Nevertheless, the most mushrooms can be found in the forest on damp but warm days, and it is best to go mushroom picking early in the morning. Why? Because during the day they warm up and become prone to “stewing” – without access to air, the protein they contain coagulates and starts to decompose! Remember that November is a month when you can still find plenty of chanterelles, parasol mushrooms, bay boletes, knights and honey fungus in the forest. So make the most of the autumn weather and head out mushroom picking.
What to wear for mushroom picking?
For mushroom picking it is best to dress for the weather, so we recommend checking the forecast the day before, especially if you are heading to a more distant area.
When planning your mushroom-picking outfit, include a few universal elements, such as:
- Long trousers, which will protect you from scratches and ticks.
- Waterproof boots, ideally trekking or tactical boots, or alternatively wellies. Importantly – do not wear trainers, as mushrooms grow in damp places and shoes like that will soak through in no time, and you will end up with a cold!
- A hat or cap – even if it is warm, it is worth wearing headgear to protect you from ticks.
- A warm outer layer – a sweatshirt, fleece, jacket or woollen shirt will keep you comfortable and warm.
- A rain jacket or poncho – even if the forecast promises sunshine, it is better to have one with you in case of unexpected showers.
What to take mushroom picking?
Useful accessories for mushroom pickers not only make the whole trip more pleasant, but also protect you from uncomfortable situations. What is best to take with you mushroom picking?
- A basket/bucket, to put the mushrooms you pick into. Absolutely do not take plastic bags! Your harvest will sweat and spoil quickly in them, and the whole trip will be wasted.
- A knife for cutting and cleaning mushrooms – any short, sharp knife will do, though the best choice is a specialist one with a small blade and a brush for cleaning mushrooms.
- A mushroom guide – You can take a mushroom atlas or a paper guide, which is reliable when there is no signal in the forest.
- Mosquito and tick repellent – the forest has no shortage of either, so it is worth spraying yourself with suitable products before you even leave the house, and keeping some with you just in case.
- A torch – it comes in handy if you lose your way or end up in a particularly dark spot.
- Reflective elements – they will be very useful if you get lost and a search operation is launched, though it does not hurt to stay clearly visible even in a group.
- A phone – keep it with you so you can make a call in an emergency.
- A tracker – A notiOne tracker comes in handy when you want to quickly find your parked car.
- A backpack – for your food, a bottle of water, tissues and toilet paper. It is also worth thinking about hand sanitiser for when your hands get dirty.
- A rubbish bag – remember not to leave any rubbish in the forest! And by taking a bag with you, you can also clear up any litter you find along the way.
How not to get lost in the forest?
When going mushroom picking, remember about safety. Tell your loved ones where you are planning to go and let them know when you have arrived. Do not split up when you are in a group. Try to memorise the distinctive features of the area, landmarks, marker posts, etc. – if you do get lost, they will be a valuable clue for the rescue services.
When planning your trip, familiarise yourself well with the trails and routes that lead to the main roads. Do not head out mushroom picking too late, so that dusk does not catch you by surprise. In the dark, the forest looks completely different than it does during the day. What is more, autumn temperature swings are no joke – there can be frosts at night, which pose a risk to your health.
Carry a charged phone, a whistle, a torch or compass and a power bank – they can be very useful.
How can a tracker help if you get lost in the forest?
With a notiOne community mini tracker attached, for example, to the car keys in your car, you can check your location history and find your way back to the car.
The small notiOne tracker will show the last known position of your car, and the free app lets you check on the map where you parked the vehicle and which direction to walk in.
And if you have a tracker on the key fob of the house keys in your pocket, or on the backpack you brought on the trip, all is not lost either! In the location history you can check where the signal from the device was last picked up and find your way back.
Also check out our other tips on how not to get lost in the forest or abroad.
