Freqently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most popular questions asked about picking huckleberries and mushrooms.

• What is a Huckleberry Free Use Permit?

  Beginning in 2017, a free use permit is required for harvesting huckleberries for personal consumption. Free use is defined as collecting less than 1 gallon per day; up to a total of 3 gallons per year.

• How do I get a Huckleberry Free Use Permit?

  The new online free use permit is the only way to get a permit. There is no cost for the permit. Complete the online application at https://apps.fs.usda.gov/gp and print the permit and harvest area map to take with you while harvesting. Forest Service offices will not issue these permits so you must get the permit online prior to harvesting huckleberries.

• What if I show up at a Forest Service office to get a permit?

  You will be given a card with instructions on how to obtain a permit online.

• What if I didn’t know to get a permit or a forest official asks me for my permit?

  Our intent is for everyone to learn about the program during the 2017 harvest season and to ensure everyone has information on how to get a free online permit.

• What do I do with my permit once I have it?

  Bring it with you when you go out to harvest! You are required to have both your permit and Special Forest Products Map while in the forest. Record the date and amount of berries you've picked before leaving your picking area.

• How many berries or mushrooms can I harvest?

  Berries: 1 gallon per day for a maximum of 3 gallons per calendar year. Mushrooms: 3 gallons per day for 10 days per calendar year.

• When are huckleberries usually ripe?

  It is weather dependent, but usually by August. The season goes until the first hard freeze in the fall, which is usually the end of September.

• How can I tell when huckleberries are ripe?

  Big huckleberries are ripe when the berries are plump, deep purple, and sweet to the taste.

• What if I want to harvest more huckleberries than 3 gallons per year?

  A commercial permit is required. Commercial permits are sold only at Forest Service District offices and there is a fee associated with the permit.

• Can I sell my berries harvested under a Free Use permit?

  No. Free Use products cannot be sold or traded. A commercial permit will need to be purchased to sell or trade any quantity of berries or mushrooms.

• Where can I harvest huckleberries or mushrooms?

  Refer to the Special Forest Products Map for locations opened to harvesting. Big huckleberries (the most popular) grow best above 3,500 feet in elevation. Mushrooms…it depends on the variety. The Forest Service suggests referring to a mushroom field guide book to keep you safe. MANY MUSHROOMS ARE POISONOUS. Pick only the mushrooms that you can identify as safe to consume.

• Are there any mushroom gathering restrictions?

  Raking and digging for mushrooms is not allowed. Matsutake mushrooms (pine mushrooms) shall be cut in half if harvested under a Free-Use Permit. Mushrooms can only be harvested in areas indicated as open to harvest on the Special Forest Products Map. Refer to your mushroom permit for more information.

• Are there any huckleberry gathering restrictions?

  The use of berry rakes to harvest berries is strictly prohibited. The rakes strip the bushes of their leaves and damage branches. This harms the bush and reduces their berry yields for the following year. Huckleberries may be only harvested from areas indicated as open to harvest on the Special Forest Products Map.

• Why is the Gifford Pinchot National Forest now requiring a free use permit?

  The forest needs to know how much huckleberry harvest is occurring. Requiring permits for all huckleberry harvesting will help the forest manage huckleberry habitat to maintain a sustainable crop of huckleberries in the future.

• How old do I need to be to be issued a permit on a National Forest?

  Mandated by federal law, a person must be 18 years of age or older to be a permit holder.

• What’s unique about huckleberry harvest areas?

  Most huckleberry harvest areas on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest are Native American lands that were ceded through a treaty that reserved tribal hunting, fishing, and gathering rights. The forest recognizes and supports the cultural importance of huckleberries as a food source to native peoples and is working with local tribes and others to ensure a sustainable source of food for the future.

• Where can I get additional information?

  Contact a Forest Service office or visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/main/giffordpinchot/passes-permits/forestproducts

• What do I need to harvest other berries than huckleberries on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest?

  The Free-Use Edible Berry Permit provided by this website will allow you to harvest all edible berries within the confines of the permit conditions.