Beating around the bush

Huckleberry season has arrived in North Idaho — and the Forest Service has tips for berry lovers as they go in search of “purple gold.”

“We’re getting reports of people not picking responsibly,” Idaho Panhandle National Forest spokeswoman Soshana Cooper said.

The Forest Service also receives many reports each year of individuals selling huckleberries in community Facebook groups, Cooper said. However, commercial gathering of huckleberries on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests is not permitted. Picking huckleberries with the intent to sell them is considered commercial use.

Minimum fines for commercial picking start at $250 and can increase based on the severity of the offense.

Responsible gathering is key to preserving the state fruit for others to enjoy, now and in the future. Huckleberries are culturally and ecologically significant to indigenous people, Cooper noted, who traditionally relied on them as a staple food. The berries are also an important source of nourishment for bears.

“They depend on huckleberries,” Cooper said, adding that the Forest Service advises pickers to leave some berries unpicked and to carry bear spray when picking.

Recreational gatherers are encouraged to pick only as many berries as they can eat. It’s best to handpick berries to ensure that the bushes are not damaged and that only ripe berries are harvested. Any methods that damage or destroy the bushes are illegal and may result in a fine for damaging natural resources.

Popular huckleberry gathering spots can become crowded. The Forest Service sometimes gets reports of people “guarding” their preferred spots. Cooper pointed out that the 2.5 million acre Idaho Panhandle National Forests offer plenty of space.

“These are public lands for everybody to share,” she said.