MUSHROOM PICKING SEASON IN FULL SWING

Written by Mgr. František Gajdoš

Thursday, 09 October 2025

This year, especially in Slovakia, the real mushroom picking season started at the turn of September and October. Until then, the weather was not very kind to mushrooms and their occurrence was very low. At this time, however, in the wooded rural areas, there are many parked cars along the forest groves and we can see many mushroom pickers with baskets.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR?

If you are not a very experienced mushroom picker, have the collected mushrooms checked by more experienced ones, or compare the collected mushrooms with the pictures and characteristics in mushroom atlases. Many mushrooms are very similar to each other and can very easily be confused with poisonous mushrooms. Eating a poisonous mushroom is very dangerous, at best it will only cause stomach problems. An example of a deadly poisonous mushroom is the freckled dapperling (Lepiota aspera), which can easily be confused with the shaggy parasol (Macrolepiota procera), which is suitable for consumption. So be very careful what you cook for your loved ones!

If you are going mushroom picking in a forest where there is a risk of encountering a predator such as a wolf or bear, be sure to take a suitable defensive spray with you. A direct encounter with such beasts may not turn out well, especially if you surprise and startle them in their natural territory. If you are in a forest where such animals may be present, it is advisable to make yourself known as a precaution, e.g. by talking louder to your companions on a walk in the woods. If you make yourself heard, there is a good chance that such beasts will bypass you. Popular bear sprays are TW1000 Bear Defender or Extrem Power Grizzly. The so-called bear bells are also used for preventive sound deterrence.

Defense spray TW1000 OC Bear Defender 225 ml

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Defense spray CR Grizzly - against bears 150 ml

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Bear bell, blue

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WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU?

Especially, if you are going into an unknown forest, don't forget your mobile phone to help you in case that you get lost. However, you may get lost in places where there is no signal. So you'd better take at least a compass with you to help you find your way around. If you get lost and stay in the woods until dark, you will need at least a pocket torch.

Multifunctional compass, 10 functions

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LED flashlight 50 lm ZOOM

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Don't forget a good quality mushroom knife. A good mushroom knife must have a thin blade and a brush, with which you can clean the mushroom of coarse dirt on the spot. Such knives are, for example, a knife with a brush and chain or a Morakniv knife with a sheath.

If your stay in the woods is going to be longer, be sure to pack a first aid kit in your backpack, because you never know when and where you might have an accident. For a longer trip, you'll also want to have ready-made food, plenty of water to drink and insect repellent to protect you from pesky insects.