Commercial huckleberry permits for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will be available beginning August 10. Because of our dry conditions there is a higher risk of forest fires so being extremely careful while being in the forest is critical. To help prevent further fires this summer, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest has implemented restrictions for all people in the Forest. For more information, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3846943.pdf.
A wildfire in the Mt. Adams Wilderness is also requiring a portion of the forest to be closed near Mount Adams. Closure maps are available at:http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4360.
Huckleberry harvest for personal use remains free and no permit is required. Personal use consists of three gallons of huckleberries per person per year. All people harvesting more than three gallons, or selling any quantity of berries, must obtain a commercial huckleberry permit. These permits are available at Ranger Districts and the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Headquarters.
The following regulations apply to commercial huckleberry permits:
• Commercial permits will be priced at $40 per permit for 14 days, or $75 for a season.
• Commercial permits will not be issued until Aug. 10.
• All commercial huckleberry permits include camping conditions that require all garbage and human waste to be contained and removed from national forest land.
• A maximum of 14-days camping per site is allowed.
• Rakes or mechanical devices for berry harvest are not permitted, as they may damage plants.
• A map issued with permits will show areas closed to commercial harvest.
• Violation of any regulation for commercial harvest is subject to a citation and fine.
• For the safety of all Forest users, berry harvesters are asked not to park vehicles in the main travel way. Remember that parking in some developed sites requires a Northwest Forest Pass
Under Washington State law commercial buyers and sellers of huckleberries must register their sales transactions. For more details, visit the forest permits page at www.fs.usda.gov/main/giffordpinchot/passes-permits/forestproducts.
Some important areas on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest are closed to all harvesting. These include the legislated Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, all legislated Wilderness, and the “Handshake Agreement” area of Sawtooth Berry Fields. Since 1932, a designated area within the Sawtooth Berry Fields has been set aside for members of the Yakama Nation to gather their traditional food. Please respect this agreement. Most other areas on the forest are open to commercial and personal picking.
