SHOULD MUSHROOM HUNTING BE REGULATED?

Recently, I was shocked to read in a newspaper article that no license is required in Illinois for mushroom collecting. Governmental regulation seems to permeate all aspects of human activity , down to the smallest details. Therefore, how could government miss the opportunity to charge a licensing fee, particularly given that debt burdened budgets cry for revenue?

How could a wild mushroom hunting licensing scheme work? Probably, there would be a written test based upon a government produced book such as "Rules of the Fungus Road." In the test, a license applicant would have to identify types of mushrooms, whether edible or not, proper manner of cooking, and best venues for finding particular species. Most important, an applicant would have to explain how to hunt for mushrooms on private land without getting caught.

Presumably, an applicant also would have to pass a vision test and an in the forest test. Under supervision of an experienced mushroom hunter official, the applicant would have to identify an actual mushroom in the woods and demonstrate proper removal technique from the ground or a stump. Of course, a license would be subject to annual renewal. The daily limit on number of mushrooms taken would be strictly enforced.

Mushroom hunting on private land would require landowner consent. Here is another opportunity for governmental regulation and revenue. Landowners would be required to obtain permits to allow mushroom hunting on their land. If a landowner charged a fee for hunting, a sales tax also would be collected.

Since mushroom hunters may seek to cross state lines to forage, federal governmental regulation also may be necessary. Congress could authorize a Wild Mushroom Protection Agency ("WMPA") to adopt and enforce permits and rules for such interstate toad stool prospecting.

Simply stated, regulation of mushrooming--like all governmental regulation--would mushroom.


© 2018 Daniel J. Kucera