Commercial huckleberry picking permits for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will be available beginning Monday.
The Forest Service reports that berries are ripe at lower elevations already for recreational picking and starting to ripen at higher elevations.
Three gallons of huckleberries can be picked per year for personal use at no charge, If larger quantities are wanted, or if a person plans to sell berries or berry products, a commercial special forest products permit is required.
Commercial permits cost $40 for 14 days or $75 for the season. Rakes or mechanical devices are not permitted for berry harvest. Maps will be issued with permits showing areas open to commercial harvest. A maximum of 14 days of camping per site is allowed.
Both commercial and personal huckleberry picking is closed in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, wilderness areas and a portion in the Sawtooth fields.
