The pine nut harvest season is under way on lands managed by the Nevada Bureau of Land Management and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

The length of the pine nut harvest season varies depending on crop quality and seasonal weather conditions. It is generally September to late October when pine nuts are still available for harvest.

The BLM and U.S. Forest Service have two types of pine nut harvesting: personal use and commercial use. Personal use is the harvesting of relatively small amounts of pine nuts not intended for sale. Commercial use is when harvesters intend to sell their nuts or if they are harvesting large quantities for personal use.

Individuals may gather up to 25 pounds of nuts per season/per household without a personal use permit and at no charge. Anyone who would like to gather more than 25 pounds must contact their local BLM or Forest Service office.

Even though the general public is allowed to harvest pine nuts under personal use without obtaining a permit at one of the BLM or U.S Forest Service offices, it is recommended that individuals stop by the local office to obtain specific pine nut harvesting information. This information could include maps of good crop areas, closure information, fire restrictions, areas to avoid, and more.

Personal use harvesting is allowed anywhere that pinyon pine trees may be found on BLM managed lands. The Ely and Battle Mountain Districts have issued a total of 10 commercial permits for the collection of just over 90,000 pounds of pine nuts.

For more information on BLM commercial use,  contact Coreen Francis at 775.885.6161 or c1franci@blm.gov.