While morel mushrooms will soon begin emerging from the forest floors, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes remind local harvesters that only tribal members may harvest the fungi within the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Tribal members may have nonmember children or partners accompany and assist with mushroom harvest as long as the they have the required recreation permits in their possession.

The restrictions have been in place since 2012 and are intended to protect native plant resources on the reservation from damage caused by overharvesting.

“This type of closure is necessary to ensure these resources are managed for present and future tribal members,” Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation Manager Tom McDonald stated in a press release. “One of our primary concerns is protecting subsistence use of the natural and cultural resources in the area while still providing recreation access for visitors.”

For additional information on the closure, contact McDonald or Germaine White at (406) 675-2700.