Stick Together: Always stay within sight of the group leader. The forest can be disorienting, and it's easy to lose your way. The trails are primitive at best, plus we go off-trail.

Look, Don't Eat: Never eat anything (mushroom or otherwise!) unless an expert identifies it for you every time. Many toxic species look similar to edible ones, so double check it even if someone recently confirmed an identification of something similar.

1. No Consumption Without Verification: Even if you're confident, do not consume any mushrooms without a final check by the group leader. They will inspect all finds before anyone eats or handles them for culinary purposes. Consume at your own risk.

2. Common sense: Don’t eat things you don’t know, whether that’s a mushroom or anything else! Thousands of mushrooms and plants call Indiana home. No one person can identify all of them, and some are new to science. Foragers learn gradually and carefully.

Know the Risks of Misidentification: Mistaking a toxic species for an edible one can have serious consequences. Some toxic species cause mild discomfort, but others can lead to liver failure or death. Carefully follow the identification process.

Always Cook: Never eat foraged mushrooms raw, nor certain plants.

Carry Appropriate Tools: Use baskets, mesh, or paper bags to carry your finds. This allows spores to spread and promotes responsible foraging. Avoid plastic bags, which can accelerate decomposition, mold, and bacteria.

Wear Protective Gear: Dress for the terrain. Wear long sleeves and pants to protect against ticks, poison ivy, and scratches. Sturdy footwear is a must for uneven ground. Consider using bug repellent.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings: The woods are full of surprises—watch for uneven terrain, fallen logs, and low-hanging branches. Move slowly and mindfully to avoid injury.

Use GPS: Use your mobile phone’s compass app to find GPS coordinates to give to emergency workers if you need to call for rescue. Save the GPS coordinates of your car or point you want to return to, even if you start from somewhere that does not have cell phone reception. You can always see your GPS coordinates, even when you do have Internet access to run the maps app (which is not the same as the compass app).

Remain Calm: Public wild lands in Indiana range from hundreds to thousands of acres of space, but walking in a roughly straight line in any direction for usually less than 3 miles usually leads out, hits a road or trail, or intersects some aspect of civilization. Trails can be much longer when they wind or curve. Check the rules of each location for whether off-trail hiking is allowed (such as in Tri-county, where off-trail is allowed).

Respect Nature:

1. Don't Over-Harvest: Leave some mushrooms behind to allow for regrowth. Take only what you need.

2. Dispose of Waste Properly: Carry out anything you bring in. This includes any tools, bags, or packaging.

3. Proactively pick up and remove trash left by others.

4. Follow Indiana DNR rules: For Tri-County Fish and Wildlife Area, see https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/properties/tri-county-fwa/ (there is no sign in or day permit required for foraging in Tri-County, and foraging should be limited to afternoons only).