Chanterelles begin popping up as soon as a week after the summers first big rain. Usually the start of chanterelle season here is Labor Day, and it will go until the first big frost. If you start early, as early as late-July, you’ll need to start up high before it gets too cold. This year for the first time I am seeing chanties and other mushrooms continually growing without regard for the season. This kind of brings me into another topic, but it seems a lot of wild, and garden plants are still budding through February. Many professional foragers are still harvesting mushrooms that would normally be out of season due to cold temps(and it's not that we haven't had big freezes, that's kinda what makes this odd) Any ways, below is one of the more picture perfect chanterelles I picked last season. I probably got these around October.
I'm not going to do a guide for identifying these mushrooms, as there are plenty available, however one of the most interesting things about chanties is that their gills are "reversed" somewhere along their evolutionary path it was advantageous for them to make this change. That's why you see the entire outside covered in thick, rubber like bumps. This is one of the most recognizable aspects of chanties, but is shared with some look a likes that are not edible.
When picking a chantie from the ground it is recomended that you quickly (while pushing down) twist the stem. This will pop it off the mycelium without damaging the network that lives below. It is also important to cover the open hole in the ground to prevent intruders from making their way in. Not packed, but reset the forest floor as if you were never there.
I ate probbaly 10 pounds fresh and dehydrated maybe 25. I went out probably 5 or 6 times last year and each time you learn a little bit more about the ares network of mycelium. The entire colony of mushrooms is attached and it's kind of fun to learn how it grows and reproduces.
Thanks for reading! I usually do cannabis related topics, but figured this would be enjoyed. Give me a follow if you'd like :)
Josh