Shroom hunting deadly shrooms

[Choctaw]

swim has recently become interested in mushrooms. he was doing some research on the almighty net when he came across some pix of poisonous shrooms, these pix (which were quite a few) discouraged him from heading out into the pasture. he wants to experience the trip because of all the good reports, but he doesn't want to accidentally meet the reaper in the process. Maybe there aren't as many poisonous shrooms where he lives, but some pics and/or advice from the experienced hunters would help out alot. being a native of Mississippi, some pix of the hallucinogenic shrooms in the local area would be the shit, if at all possible. if not then Advice, advice,advice

Reputation Comments on this post:

A good attitude to have! Stay & play safe!

[Nagognog2]

A wise move on SWIM's part!

Whether one is thinking of hunting wild mushrooms for a gourmet meal or ones that change the wallpaper, it is essential to learn about these critters as thoroughly as possible. And this will not be accomplished in a few nights of looking at pictures on the internet. Reading several basic books/field guides such as the one put out by Audabon and the favorite of many - Mushrooms of North America by Orson K. Miller - will give a leg up - enough to even semi-confidently identify some of the more simple and obvious varieties. But the best way is to first hunt up a local mushroom club in one's local area. A good way to do this is to contact a local college/university and enquire there. Also you might find out if SWIM could take a course there in basic mycology.

The best way is to go out in the field with people who have been doing so for many years to find edibles - and none of their dinner guests ended up needing a liver transplant for dessert. From there it will become possible to discern between a Psilocybe and a Conocybe (bad mistake possible).

The old lines:

"When in doubt, throw it out."

"There are old mushroom hunters. And there are brave mushroom hunters. But there are no old, brave mushroom hunters."

Reputation Comments on this post:

excellent advice, as usual :)

[Micklemouse]

It's always good to see someone with a healthy respectful attitude towards fungi.

Check out Erowid's Mushroom pages also...

http://www.erowid.org/plants/mushrooms/mushrooms.shtml