Thread: I went hunting yesterday

... and I'm going again tomorrow!
Me and the missus have been hunting for mushrooms in a local wooded area. I'm guessing even thats frowned upon now, in case maybe a f**king tree falls on us. I look at it like this, we haven't been to any shops for food for well over a week now, and we are managing without milk or bought bread. If we can forage for food and just make do, surely we are better off than going to the local supermarket and chancing spreading or catching the virus?
Also, I'm shooting (hunting?) rabbits on our own spread too. They go nice with the mushrooms ;-)

Seriously, I'm all for common sense precautions and preventing the spread of the virus, but "can't drive to anywhere unless its an emergency or to get food..." I mean c'mon, people are under enough stress without this BS. I'm betting that our glorious leader will be using this exercise to "gauge" just how far people can be pushed here! Just saying.

Not a fungi fan but bloody good , free tucker and time with your lady ...perfect

just go for it ive been hunting as well imigane what will happen if something gets leaked and it turns out the transparent honest muppet show has been bullshitting us once again

Went looking for sweet chestnuts today but not quite ready down here yet. By far my favourite nut to pick and eat wild.

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

Went looking for sweet chestnuts today but not quite ready down here yet. By far my favourite nut to pick and eat wild.

Yeah, we have been gathering Walnuts too. Just about at the end of them for this season where we are. Got a few kg's though!
As I write this, just sitting here with a glow on, after a few glasses of my wife's delicious home made wine, steak, chips, porcini mushrooms with red wine jus.... might finish off with a Cognac later... after my Whisky! ;-) Bloody glad we're out in the sticks. Feeling this good, I'm sure we must have broke a law or two somewhere along the way!?

Nice one, been hunting the mushrooms too while taking the dog for a walk. 31 kg's so far but it looks as if they are tapering off now.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

Nice one, been hunting the mushrooms too while taking the dog for a walk. 31 kg's so far but it looks as if they are tapering off now.

31kg's.... Holy hell, where are you? We came home with about 2kg's of slippery jacks today.... not one Porcini. Shame that you can't eat Fly Agaric though... could have had a boot full. 31kg..... wow, so jealous! LOL

Only had one feed so far, the dry has just broken so hope to get shit loads soon. Mrs stews them down with butter and freezes pots full so we can turn every meal black throughout the winter if we want. Delight.

I look at those types of events the same as speeding occasionally,only illegal if you get caught!!

Originally Posted by The bomb

I look at those types of events the same as speeding occasionally,only illegal if you get caught!!

Mushrooming is like speeding? or Knocking off a rabbit in our vegie patch? seriously? I must be missing the connection here!

We are mushroomed out , and we have plenty in the freezer, they cook up ok after freezing , a bit watery but fine for a sauce or soup. Best day was 6 kg and I have been getting them since early March when the first ones started to appear. Can't beat nice fresh field mushrooms.

depends what mushrooms you take

Originally Posted by northdude

depends what mushrooms you take

LOL.... yeah, but the red ones look so pretty and inviting don't they?

Saxguy. Want to educate us on what to look for on the edible fungi front. Would interested in pics and what not to do. I went across the paddocks with my kid a couple of days ago but only found a random selection, none of which were field mushrooms, so left them alone.

Originally Posted by Cowboy

Saxguy. Want to educate us on what to look for on the edible fungi front. Would interested in pics and what not to do. I went across the paddocks with my kid a couple of days ago but only found a random selection, none of which were field mushrooms, so left them alone.

Oh, I wouldn't class myself as an authority on these things.... my wife is better than me at it, even spotting them. She's like a truffle hound! LOL
You need to google and do some research. The deadly ones are easy to pick out, but you just need to make sure you know what to look for (Google Death Cap mushroom). We've been getting a fair few "Slippery Jack" mushrooms recently. They grown in pine forests, near the edge where the sun gets through. You will usually find them around the same place as "Fly Agaric" mushrooms. These are the pretty red ones with white spots (the Fly Agaric that is), and should NOT be eaten unless you want to be deathly sick, shits and fly to the stars! Slippery Jacks look slimy, and are brown tops with a yellowish sponge underbelly. The smaller ones are best, as the may not have yet got worms in. By the way, many wild mushrooms have worms! You best cut out the bad bits, and any left over will be harmless after cooking.
Now, the KING of mushrooms is the Porcini (pronounced Poor-chee-nee). These are prized above all others, and are sought/bought by Chef's for their taste and appeal. These can grow to huge dimensions. This season, sadly, we have found only one so far, as it is has been too dry where we are. Second to this is the "Birch Bolete", which can be found believe it or not, close to birch trees! Guess the name gives it away. Again, a VERY nice mushroom indeed.
A tip for you, after you have definitely identified your 'shrooms, don't be tempted to cook up a whole mess of them and scoff down the lot. Tempting as it may be. We like to slice them thinly (I'm talking about if we try a "new" mushroom), and fry them with a little butter and garlic. A glass of white wine as an accompaniment, taste a few slices and enjoy. If you have no bad effects later, ie stomach ache, or other reactions eg sudden death (kidding), next time you know that they suit you, and you are good to go. One word of caution here however, some species are great... unless you consume them with alcohol, then they become poisonous! Yeah, I know, intriguing huh! Bit like playing Russian Roulette. But seriously, there are some absolutely astounding mushrooms out there, a far cry from the tasteless button mushrooms that you get in the shops! I guarantee you, if you get hooked on this, your kid will love "hunting" them down. Oh, paddock mushrooms are usually all okay. Pure white tops with a light pinky-brown set of open gills underneath. Just make sure you google "Death cap, or Destroying Angel mushroom" first. These have some the worst toxins in the natural world. You can die days or even weeks after consuming them, and I believe there is no known cure. Next of course, there is the "trippy" 'shrooms, but, this needs a chapter all to itself I guess. To be honest, if I had the nerve, I would like to try them just once... but, I'm just to much of a coward when it comes to such things! I hope some of this helps. But please, do some research, and include your kid. I'm sure they'll love you for it. Cheers, and good luck hunting.