Upcoming 2017 Events for October (It's all about mushrooms!)

August ~ September ~ November

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October 1st

15 spots left

The Velvet Foot

Classified as a winter mushroom, the Velvet Foot can be found on dead standing hardwood from mid-September through the end of March. They thrive under loosened bark, extending out from multiple stems that actually look like tiny beige branches clinging to the wood. Velvet Foot have a slimy cap but when cooked up the slime dissipates. Also, as they are sauteed they emit juices that can later be used as a natural gravy thickener.

We'll be collecting these along with coral mushrooms, Lactarius, Blewits, puffballs and more on trails only 20 minutes from Stratford.

To get an idea of our treks you can read a recent article by writer Keph Senett that appeared in Harrowsmith this past March.

Start time: 10:00 am
Where: 96 Birmingham Street, Stratford, Ontario N5A 2S9
Cost: $35.00/person

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October 7th

15 spots left.

Ischnoderma resinosum

Otherwise known as The Resinous Polypore, this meaty fungi thrives on dead hardwood in early to mid Autumn. Most wild mushrooms are wonderful sauteed in butter and garlic. However the Ischnoderma Resinosum is better stewed. As it's juices are released the rich earthy flavours are absolutely tantalizing. Please note, like many polypores this mushroom is better harvested young.

Of course there will be other fungi on the trails. Puffballs of every size, Lactarius Delicious, Blewits, Lion's Mane, Velvet Foot and more. Autumn is an amazing time for wild mushrooms. Find out why Marriot International listed Puck's Plenty as one of the "Top 10 Adventures to Have this Summer".

Start time: 10:00 am
Where: 96 Birmingham Street, Stratford, Ontario N5A 2S9
Cost: $35.00/person

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October 8th

15 spots left

The Blewit

When we think of Autumn's spectacular colours the changing of leaves comes to mind. But Mother Nature offers up several vibrant colours from the world of wild mushrooms. The most beautiful is the delicious Blewit (pictured here). When young, they are the deepest of blues, absolutely radiant against the brown needles of conifers covering the ground. You can find them growing alongside the bright orange Lactarius Deliciosus and the glowing white Gem Studded Puffball. They're all out there along with the Velvet Foot winter mushroom and the meaty Resinous Polypore, all ripe for the picking.

Puck's Plenty tours has been rated as one of the top foraging adventures in the world by Marriot International and Travel and Leisure Magazine.

Join us on the trails and find out why.

Start time: 10:00 am
Where: 96 Birmingham Street, Stratford, Ontario N5A 2S9
Cost: $35.00/person

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October 9th

15 spots left

Lepista Irina

We really love this mushroom . . . for several reasons. They taste fantastic. They're large. And there's LOTS of them. As are most of the wild edible fungi, they can be sauteed in butter and garlic or added to your favourite soups and stews. The Lepista Irina are one of several that form beautiful fairy rings in the forest. So grab your baskets and join us for an adventure you soon won't forget.

Find out why Marriot International listed Puck's Plenty as one of the "Top 10 Adventures to Have this Summer".

Start time: 10:00 am
Where: 96 Birmingham Street, Stratford, Ontario N5A 2S9
Cost: $35.00/person

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October 14th

15 spots left

The Butterfly Collybia

Another wild fungi that is quite numerous is the Butterfly Collybia. Small, delicate, found on conifer floors, this mushroom has lots of company such as the colourful Blewits and Lactarius, the Pear Shaped Puffballs and the tasty Gem Studded mushroom. There's quite a selection this time of year.

So join us on trails only 15 minutes from Stratford. We'll visit beautiful streams and darkened woods. Quite a backdrop to what Mother Nature has to offer.

To get an idea of our treks you can read a recent article by writer Keph Senett that appeared in Harrowsmith this past March.

Start time: 10:00 am
Where: 96 Birmingham Street, Stratford, Ontario N5A 2S9
Cost: $35.00/person

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October 15th

15 spots left

The Oysters of Autumn

As the Summer Oyster fades away it is replaced by its Autumn cousin, the Fall Oyster. It is a meatier version and tends to come in three colours: tan, brown and, believe it or not, olive green. They are easily identified by their pristine beige gills and you can find them on dead hardwood in heavily shaded areas of the forest. Because of their texture they are perfect in soups and stews. We'll be searching for these as well as Lactarius Delicious, Blewits, Pear Shaped Puffballs and more.

Find out why Travel and Leisure Magazine listed Puck's Plenty Tours as one of the top ten foraging spots in the world.

Start time: 10:00 am
Where: 96 Birmingham Street, Stratford, Ontario N5A 2S9
Cost: $35.00/person

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October 21st Forage & Feast

SOLD OUT.

Deeper into Autumn and the forest is rich with wild fungi. Velvet Foot, Fall Oysters, Honey Mushrooms, Blewits. The list goes on. This is the ideal time to learn the art of wild mushroom hunting and to experience the unique taste of Nature's offerings. We'll take to beautiful trails only 20 minutes from Stratford to collect our bounty. Then return for an upscale lunch that includes Nettle Gouda Cheese from The Butcher Baker, baguettes and salad from The Little Green Grocery, a main course of Wild Mushroom Ragout followed by a tantalizing dessert from The Honey Tree. Locally brewed craft beer and wines from Niagara will also be included. It's an adventure you won't forget. Just ask Marriot International and Travel and Leisure Magazine.

Start time: 9:45 am
Where: Packam Sports Complex
Cost: $70 per person.

Tickets can be purchased through internet tranfer or PayPal. For more information phone 519-271-3726 or email us at pucksplenty@gmail.com

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October 22nd

15 spots left

Knowing the Good from the Bad

Many regard the hunt for wild mushrooms as exciting and daring. Their reason? In the forest . . . they're walking on the edge. And rightly so. With every delicious fungi there's always the chance of an "evil twin". Take the case of the delicious Hypholoma Capnoide pictured on the left. Found on conifer wood, spores are dark, gills are attached to the stalk which is up to 8 cm. tall and 1 cm. wide . . . exactly like the mushroom on the right, The Sulphur Tuft, a poisonous variety. We'll be careful to point these out and, moreover, show you how to tell them apart. So join us on the trails as we seek out other safer varieties such as Blewits, Lactarius Delicious, Fall Oysters and more,
only fifteen minutes from Stratford.

Start time: 10:00 am
Where: 96 Birmingham Street, Stratford, Ontario N5A 2S9
Cost: $35.00/person

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October 28th

15 spots left

The Fawn Mushroom

Two years ago the Fawn Mushroom was one of our favourite discoveries. We had been stepping over them for years, unable to make an identification. They begin to make their appearance towards the end of October and continue until the first bitter frost arrives. They are plentiful and they are delicious. Smallish and fragile they saute up in a few minutes rendering a delightful taste. Join us on the trails as we collect these as well as The Fall Oyster, The Honey Mushroom, The Pear Shaped Puffball and more. All are found in the deepest and darkest forests. It will be quite the adventure.

Start time: 10:00 am
Where: 96 Birmingham Street, Stratford, Ontario N5A 2S9
Cost: $35.00/person

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October 29th

15 spots left

Late Autumn foraging is an experience to be had as Mother Nature yields some of her best bounty. The assortment of mushrooms include Lactarius Delicious, Blewits, Autumn Oysters, Fawn Mushrooms, Honey Mushrooms and more. We use three trails, all diverse in their scenery, from hillside hardwood forests to the flat choked conifer woods where daylight rarely touches the ground. Only a fifteen minute drive from Stratford, learn the art of wild mushroom hunting and then take your treasure home and create your own culinary fare of the wild.

Find out why Marriot International and Travel and Leisure Magazine rated Puck's Plenty Tours as one of the top adventures in the world.

Start time: 10:00 am
Where: 96 Birmingham Street, Stratford, Ontario N5A 2S9
Cost: $35.00/person