Permits
Permits may be obtained for collection of special forest products such as: cones, boughs, Christmas trees, nuts and berries, mushrooms, and ornamental cuttings, just to name a few. Permits may also be obtained for firewood, minerals, and timber products. A fee is charged for personal use and all commercial use permits. On the Fremont-Winema National Forest, a permit is not needed to harvest minor amounts of special forest products for direct personal use. Refer to incidental use for a list of products and amounts that may be collected under Incidental-Use conditions.
For most products, there are regulations covering when, how, and where collection is allowed. The intent of these regulations is to ensure continued availability and sustainability of our country’s forest resources. For more information about incidental use, how to get a permit, fees, product availability, or regulations covering collection, please contact the Forest Service office nearest your intended activity.
Incidental Use
For exceedingly small quantities of some special forest products that provide for immediate consumption or for generally unplanned, spontaneous use of products associated with a recreational forest outing or visit, a permit may not be required. Materials gathered under Incidental Free Use cannot be sold or exchanged in any form. Incidental Use Guide
Firewood Program Overview
Whitebark Pine listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act
It is illegal to remove, possess or damage Whitebark Pine on federal lands. Use the identification guide prior to cutting or collecting firewood.
Personal Use Firewood
Two types of firewood permits are available on the Fremont-Winema National Forest:
- Personal Use Firewood Permits are intended for personal use only and not for resale.
- Commercial Firewood Permits are for those cutting firewood for resale purposes.
Personal use firewood cutting is available on the Fremont-Winema National Forest. Those wishing to cut their own firewood can obtain a woodcutting permit from the Fremont-Winema National Forest Supervisor's Office or local district offices on the Forest.
The Firewood Assistance Program or third-party cutting is for those with physical or medical limitations unable to cut their own firewood. To acquire this permit, both the firewood recipient and third-party woodcutter need to be present to purchase a permit and tags. Requirements and rules are the same as a Personal Use Firewood Permit. Third party cutters are limited to 5 permits a year.
- Forest Wide Firewood Information (PDF)
- Klamath Ranger District Firewood Regulations (PDF)
- Klamath Ranger District Firewood Map (PDF)
- Silver Lake and Paisley Ranger Districts Firewood Map (PDF)
- Bly and Lakeview Ranger Districts Firewood Map (PDF)
- Chemult and Chiloquin Ranger Districts Firewood Map (PDF)
All firewood permits expire on December 31 of the year issued, with no extension. Both the woodcutting permit, and the woodcutting tags need to be in the woodcutter’s possession when gathering and transporting wood.
Woodcutters need to follow fire prevention requirements:
Chainsaw exhaust systems must be in good repair with a screen-type spark arrester of .023 inches or less.
A shovel and pressurized chemical fire extinguisher of not less than 8-ounce capacity by weight must be present.
Always check the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) and current fire restrictions before heading out to cut firewood on the Forest. This information is available at any Fremont-Winema National Forest Office or the Lakeview Interagency Fire Center. The best woodcutting times are in the spring and fall when fire danger low and weather is favorable. Contact local Ranger District offices for details.
Commercial Firewood Permits
If you want to cut firewood on the Fremont-Winema National Forests to sell to other people, you would be classified as a Commercial Firewood cutter and would be subject to a different set of rules. For information about obtaining a Commercial Firewood Permit, contact your nearest Ranger District office.
Deschutes, Fremont-Winema, Umpqua, and Willamette National Forests have one or more of the following permits:
- Matsutake Mushroom Free Use
- Matsutake Mushroom Commercial Use
- All Mushroom Species (except Matsutake) Free Use
- All Mushroom Species (except Matsutake) Commercial Use
The following materials are required to be on person for the Fremont-Winema National Forest:
- 2025 Fremont-Winema, Deschutes, Umpqua, and Willamette National Forests Mushroom Synopsis
- Fremont-Winema Mushroom Harvest North Map
- Fremont-Winema Mushroom Harvest South Map
Matsutake Mushrooms
Matsutake Mushrooms Use table
A Commercial Permit must be purchased for the picking of any Matsutake mushroom on National Forests that are harvested for resale.
| FREE USE | COMMERCIAL USE |
PERMIT REQUIRED? | *Yes: Free-Use Permit /any 10 days /calendar year | Yes: Matsutake Commercial permit. |
FEE CHARGED? | No | Yes: $8 per day with a 3 day or $24 minimum; $200 seasonal permit (62 days) or $100 ½ season permits (31 days). |
QUANTITY OF MUSHROOMS ALLOWED AT ONE TIME | 15 in possession / day from designated areas | Unlimited |
*Matsutake Free Use permits may be available on some forests and will be valid only within designated free use areas. Free/recreational use permits will be issued only at the Ranger Stations on those forests with designated free use areas.
Matsutake free/recreational use mushrooms must be cut in half lengthwise, stem through cap, and both halves separated at the time of harvest, prior to leaving the area.
All Mushroom Species except Matsutake
Commercial Use and Free Use Permits are available for all species of mushrooms.
All Mushroom Species EXCEPT Matsutake table
. | FREE USE | COMMERCIAL / PERSONAL USE |
PERMIT REQUIRED? | *Yes: Free-Use Permit / any 10 days / calendar year | Yes: Commercial / Personal-Use Permit valid for species other than Matsutake |
FEE CHARGED? | No | Yes: $2 per day with a 10 day or $20 minimum; or $100 annual permit |
QUANTITY OF MUSHROOMS DAILY | 2 gallons per day for 10 days per calendar year | Unlimited |
Like free/recreational use matsutake mushrooms, all species of free/recreational use mushrooms will be cut in half lengthwise, stem through cap, and both halves separated at the time of harvest.
Mushroom Harvest Regulations
- Everyone must have a valid permit and a harvest area map in their possession to gather, transport or sell mushrooms gathered on participating National Forests. A harvest area map is not required on the Fremont National Forest, all areas are marked on the ground.
- Harvesters must be 18 or older and have valid identification to purchase a permit.
- All tools for matsutake harvest will not exceed 1” (one inch) and 18” (eighteen inches) long; raking or other ground disturbance prohibited.
- Written permission is required to camp on any National Forest while harvesting mushrooms commercially and will be allowed only in areas designated by the Forest Service. Camping spaces may be limited and a fee may be charged.
- Commercial mushroom picking is prohibited within: Crater National Park, Newberry National Volcanic Monument, H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Davis Late Successional Reserve, Research Natural Areas, Wildernesses, Developed Recreation Areas and other designated non-harvest areas.
On the Umpqua and Willamette National Forests, three additional regulations apply:
1) at least one-third of the mushroom caps on the collection area (of the same species as being collected) should be left intact to release spores (FW-337).
2) no harvest of truffles is allowed,
3) no commercial collection of mushrooms will be allowed in Late Successional Reserves, and on both the Umpqua and Willamette N. F’s. no harvest within riparian areas (any stream [Class 1 thru 4], ponds or wet areas).
At the time of this printing, the Willamette, Deschutes, and Fremont/Winema National Forests have implemented the “Travel Management Rule.” The Motorized Vehicle Use decisions depicting roads open to public motor vehicle use are reflected on their respective mushroom maps.
Mushroom Buyers:
People wishing to operate buying stations on National Forest Land must obtain a permit. Check with a local Ranger District Office for permit information as not all Districts allow buyers on National Forest Land.