A Guide to Hunting and Foraging for Wild Edibles

At the same time, while it's great to take a healthy, well-conditioned deer, as hunters, we know that this is not always possible. So, combining foraging with hunting is a great way to guarantee that you're heading home with additive-free, nutrient-dense food for the family. 

Summer is an exciting time to forage; the berries are beautifully sweet, the mushrooms are nicely developed, and the warm sun creates a pleasant foraging environment.

With that, here's our guide to foraging in summer, must-have tools, plus essential safety tips to keep you safe. 

Late Summer Foraging: What's in Season

In the world of foraging, summer usually means one thing: berry season.

Common varieties, including blackberries, elderberries, juneberries, and blueberries, are beautifully ripe and ready to be plucked in significant clusters of juicy deliciousness. You'll find berries in mixed zones, such as the edges of woods, open fields, and roadsides.

Berries love open sunlight, so target some prime berry locations before the season opens and mark them on your HuntWise map to forage when they're at their optimal ripeness.

To keep safe, look for the right berries by picking clustered blue, black, and red berries; green, white, and yellow berries are typically poisonous. Always look for strong odors and discoloration as a warning sign (never take anything without being 100% certain of what it is). 

The Right Kinds of 'Shrooms

Late summer mushroom varieties such as chanterelles, lobster, and chicken mushroom, AKA the "chicken of the woods," can also be successfully targeted. These options make a great meat substitute and are a highly nutritious additive to a delicious meal in the field.

To find these species, search arable land, parks, gardens, and woodlands. Identification is essential to your mushroom mission, so contact a trusted guide or expert if you're new to the mushroom foraging world. 

Go Nuts

Highly nutritious and great on the go, late-season ripening nuts such as hazelnuts can start falling from the trees towards the end of summer.

Start in oak or pine forests, especially in mixed environments like trail edges. Don't forget your gloves after more tender and softer nuts, as some husks can be sharp. 

Don't Forget Your Green Edibles, Roots, and Tubers

Within the ocean of green that you will often see when you look out in the forest, there is an abundance of edible greens such as lamb's quarters, purslane, and dandelion that can be picked to make delicious foodstuffs.

You'll enjoy the herbal flavors or many edible greens after washing. Saute them in olive oil with some garlic to maintain optimal flavor. They are also great as a salad base or in soups and stews with wild game. 

Finally, common roots and tubers, such as cattails and wild onions, can be found along streams and wetlands. Grab the stems and pull firmly as if pulling out a weed.

What To Avoid When Foraging in Summer

As with hunting, safety is the priority when foraging. We can follow a few golden rules to avoid getting sick. 

Firstly, it's essential that you study profoundly and, if possible, learn from an experienced forager or naturalist to differentiate between edible and non-edible foraged goods. Most edible plants such as berries, mushrooms, and greens have toxic counterparts, so always have a reliable app or guide to help with this classification.

Hairs, spines, umbrella-shaped flowers, milky sap, and waxy leaves are generally telltale signs of a toxic plant. It's best to practice the if in doubt, leave it out rule, especially when it comes to mushrooms, as unidentified mushrooms can be highly toxic. 

Next, consider the environment where you're foraging, as even edible plants can become harmful in polluted environments. If we consider plants, especially mushrooms, to be great filters, then the environment in which they grow will reflect their composition and storage in the tissue.

Generally, avoid roadsides or industrial areas where plants may have absorbed heavy metals,  lawns or fields treated with pesticides or herbicides, streams or wetlands with visible pollution or runoff, and any zones near factories. 

Fruits or vegetation that appear overripe, have a strong odor, or the appearance of mold should be discarded as they can harbor harmful bacteria or toxins. 

Finally, start small and with what you know and can confidently identify before slowly expanding your foraging range. Check that you are foraging legally and in a public area and avoid overharvesting, as plants such as ginseng and ramps are often overharvested and should be left alone to ensure their populations thrive. 

How to Combine Hunting and Foraging

When heading out for a multi-day hunt, take a fly rod, a small harvesting bag, and a mushroom knife. While taking a game species is not always possible, something can always be foraged or caught, whether berries for a nice cobbler or a trout for the smoker. 

Combining hunting and foraging is a great way to increase your time in the field. It allows you to develop stronger tracking skills and make the most of the stunning natural environment that we all share. 

Luckily, zones where game species are most prolific will likely be great foraging environments as deer feast on a wide range of nutrient-diverse plant species, including fruits, mushrooms, and nuts. Mixed habitats such as hardwood floors, open fields, and zones near running water are great starting places.

Open up your topographic mapping feature on the HuntWise app to explore ridges and open edges where you'll find berries and fruits and talk to local experts who can point you in the right direction. 

Finally, examine the local foraging laws. Each state, county, and city may have different rules regarding foraging in the area, including seasons, restrictions on native vegetation, and more. 

Tools and Preparation 

The great thing about foraging is that you'll likely have most of the gear ready to go if you're already a hunter. Foraging is an affordable activity, and you can get started with a few critical items, including a sharp knife, some updated field guides, gloves, a basket, and a set of binoculars for locating potential high-density zones. 

Camouflage is best, especially if you're planning to hunt and forage. Natural tones reflecting the environment you're targeting are the most popular option. Choose a strong clothing material to withstand thorns, poison ivy, and insect bites and offer sun protection, especially in the midday heat.

Finally, lightweight containers or mesh bags for carrying foraged items without crushing them will be your best storage and transport options. 

Safety Tips for Foraging

While foraging safety (whether late summer foraging or any time you're out) generally falls under the heading of common sense, such as knowing what you're harvesting and identifying it with certainty, the importance of 100% confidence in what you're harvesting cannot be stressed enough. 

Additionally, exercise general safety strategies, including practicing sun-smart strategies, carrying enough water, and informing a contact of your planned time in the field and location. You'll also want to keep up to date with hunter education and first aid. 

Finally, be aware of other hunters using the same environment — especially during open season. Consider incorporating blaze orange into your kit, especially if you're going into a popular hunting area. 

Enjoy Better Hunts and Foraging With HuntWise 

Foraging in summer can turn a typical hunt or scouting outing into an exciting and highly beneficial exercise. It allows you to create a ready-made meal with some of the tastiest and most nutrient-dense foods available. 

Foraging principles and strategies closely follow those of game-species hunting. To maximize your yield in the field, follow pre-scouting strategies, mark high-value locations, and learn and understand the different flora species that can be taken.

To help kickstart your foraging journey (and get some scouting in while you're out), download HuntWise for mapping insights, seasonal tips, and much more. We'll give you your first week free!