Black Truffle Forage
Elusive, alluring, mysterious - each winter Oregon black truffles, Tuber oregonese, flourish beneath the forest floor, releasing an irresistible aroma that attracts animals and humans alike. More info...
Not just a culinary delight, truffles are also an integral part of our regional forest ecosystems. The Pacific Northwest is home to hundreds of species of truffles, and one of the few bioregions in the world where edible truffles grow. Like most mushrooms, truffles are the fruiting bodies of complex mycelial networks, but unlike mushrooms, they fruit underground. This makes these sought-after delicacies difficult to find without the help of dogs, trained to seek out the truffle scent.
In this workshop international truffle hunter Bryan Hobby will provide an in-depth introduction to the basic ecology and biology of native Oregon black truffles. Employing sustainable modern practices to ensure that truffle foraging can be enjoyed for generations to come, Bryan and his champion truffle hunting dog, Buster, will guide students in the nuances of finding and harvesting Oregon black truffles. While we can’t guarantee everyone will go home with truffles, we can guarantee you will leave the workshop with a new appreciation for wild foraged foods!
This course will require working with a trained dog while hiking over low elevation mountain slopes covered in coniferous forests. This class will take place within a 90-minute drive of the Portland Metro area. The exact meeting location will not be determined until 5 days prior to your forage. Students will be notified of the meeting location by the Monday prior to the workshop date. Please leave dogs at home.
This workshop is open to anyone 18 years old & over, who is prepared to hike all day (rain or shine) on uneven terrain, off-trail. This is not a suitable workshop for those with health conditions that may be triggered or exacerbated by hiking, carrying a backpack, or being outside for 5+ hours in variable weather conditions. All participants must meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria for Off-Site or Nature courses. Please leave dogs at home. Listed class locations are approximate and are subject to change at WildCraft’s sole discretion depending on weather conditions and other seasonal factors. A packing list and exact location will be provided 5 days prior to the workshop date.
All participants must accept the inherent risks of participating in an outdoor adventure and agree to sign a liability waiver. This waiver describes in more detail the risks you assume by participating in an Off-Site or Nature course. PLEASE carefully review it!
Please review our updated Cancellation Policy.
For information on Inherent Risk & Safety please click here.