Union County sees surge in lost mushroom hunters; Emergency Manager urges safety
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
UNION COUNTY — This spring has seen a notable increase in the number of mushroom hunters getting lost in Union County, according to Nick Vora, Emergency Manager of Union County.
“Typically, we’d have maybe one incident every other year, but now we’re seeing several a week,” Vora said. “I can’t point to any one thing why the numbers are increasing, but it is unusual.”
This past week alone, two separate incidents involved mushroom hunters getting lost.
On Wednesday, May 29, Search and Rescue responded to a call about a mushroom hunter who got separated from his companion near Pilcher Creek Reservoir. Fortunately, the lost individual was found walking down a road shortly after the team arrived on the scene.
The following day, another incident occurred at the Catherine Creek summit snow park. An elderly gentleman, separated from his son-in-law while mushroom hunting, mistook one road for another. Search and Rescue used a siren, helping the lost man reorient himself and return safely.
Both cases had positive outcomes, with no injuries reported.
Vora emphasized the importance of safety measures for mushroom hunters. “Mushroom picking can easily lead to getting lost because people are looking down and not traveling in straight lines. Even experienced individuals can get disoriented,” he said.
He advised hunters to stay within sight or speaking distance of their companions, never go alone, and ensure someone not with them knows their plans. Vora also highlighted the importance of carrying the ten essentials for wilderness survival, with a particular emphasis on navigation and communication.
“Many of the people we search for left their phones at home. Bringing a phone could save you,” he said.
For more safety tips and information on the ten essentials, mushroom hunters can access resources online.
