Pine nut harvest beginning on Nev. public lands

The 2017 pine nut harvest season is about to kick off on lands managed by the Nevada Bureau of Land Management and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Both agencies are working together to ensure the public is safely harvesting pine nuts and aware of the regulations. The length of the pine nut harvest season varies depending on crop quality and weather conditions. It is generally September to late October.

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 and families 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 the local BLM or Forest Service office.

Personal use harvesting is allowed anywhere that pinyon pine trees may be found on BLM managed lands. The Battle Mountain and Ely Districts have issued a total of 11 commercial permits for the collection of just more than 205,750 pounds of pine nuts.

On the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, personal use harvesting is also allowed anywhere that pinyon pine trees may be found on the Austin-Tonopah, Bridgeport, Carson, Ely, and Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge Ranger Districts, as well as the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area. Only one commercial contract has been awarded by the Ely Ranger District.