How far from the trail before you'll collect something?

https://lemmy.world/post/903269

How far from the trail before you'll collect something? - Lemmy.world

I do most of my foraging in the woods along trails. I’m curious for those that forage in similar locations, how far from the trail before you’ll collect something to eat? I know some people get sketched out by the idea that things immediately along the trail my have been contaminated (usually by someone walking their dog). I was out collecting chanterelles yesterday and turned down a few right along the trail that were maybe a bit past their prime but mostly in good shape if not small. I commented to my wife that I was passing because they were too close to the trail and a dog my have peed on them. Then a bit further down the trail I hypothetically collected I nice big fresh one (still mostly covered by leaf litter). It was too perfect to turn down. Am I just a crazy hypocrite? Where do you all fall on this spectrum?

Haha sounds to me like you are just using a healthy risk/reward system! I usually try to only grab stuff from my yard or far enough away from the road or stream that it wouldn’t have gotten gross (urban area) but I definitely snacked on some ripe mulberries, wineberries, and black raspberries that were right along the road within the past few months.