Unprepared mushroom hunters can get lost easily

Two lost mushroom hunters were located and assisted in separate cases after searches that included Indiana Conservation Officers, showing that even veterans of the pastime who are familiar with the land need to take proper precautions.

"It's important to both know the area you are hunting and to always having a buddy with you," said Mark Farmer, public information officer for the DNR Division of Law Enforcement. "If you hunt mushrooms by yourself, make sure you have a map and compass or GPS unit with you."

Indiana Conservation Officer Angela Goldman, who is the public information officer for the district where the searches occurred, said it's also important to let someone know exactly where you're going and when you plan to return before heading out.

Sam Unsworth of Elkinsville, a longtime Brown County resident who said he is familiar with the terrain, was found safe at 11:30 a.m. today. He became disoriented yesterday while looking for mushrooms in Hoosier National Forest yesterday and walked in the wrong direction to get home, then spent a rainy night in the woods.
The successful search was carried out by Indiana Conservation Officers, the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, volunteers from the Nashville Fire Department, Van Buren Fire Department and Hamblin Township Fire Department, and the Indiana State Police Helicopter.

Another mushroom hunter, Nancy Prince of Bloomington, was located at Paynetown Recreation Area by the Indiana Conservation Officer K-9 unit's Jon Fennig and his K-9, Abby, yesterday morning.
Prince was separated from a group of fellow mushroom hunters in the area. Family members contacted Indiana Conservation Officers at approximately 12:30 p.m. yesterday. She was located shortly thereafter.
In addition to taking proper safety precautions, mushroom hunters searching non-public land must have permission from the property owner.