Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Bear escapes Oakridge snare

The Register-Guard

… Himalayan blackberry in lower elevations to huckleberries in higher elevations. “Bears will move miles to get to good huckleberry patches,” he said. …

…READ FULL STORY

Whortleberry, dewberry, bilberry, blueberry; mountain-this or thinleaved-that; big or blue or dwarf or globe, the huckleberry goes by may names.  It grows wild and only wild, in the remote areas of American’s inland Northwest from Oregon to Alaska, the Pacific Ocean to the Continental Divide.

The huckleberry is a living exhibit of the colors purple ca be, from deepest black to blues and reads.  Smooth and round, about the size of garden peas, they are often described in terms of the hands used to pick them:  “like the end of my little finger.” or “about the size of my fingernail.” Any mention of thumbs indicates very good picking.  Huckleberry bushes range from knee- to chest-high on a person, or haunch to heard on a short bear.

In appearance the berry may seem somewhat unremarkable, and off the bush might even be mistaken for an ordinary blueberry. Once in the mouth, however, there can be no doubt:  this is something else entirely.  And her the trouble begins, because for those who have tastes mountain huckleberries, no description is needed; and for those who haven’t, description is impossible.  How do you describe the colors in yesterday’s sunset, the smell of today’s breezem the tastes of a waterfall?

One huckleberry cook knows better than to try.  She says, “I just open a jar and hand them a spoon.”

Except from “The Huckleberry Book” by ‘Asta Bowen

2011 SEASON LOOKS GOOD! Conditions are very similar to 2008, in which huckleberry season was late, but outstanding… best since the mid 1990s. Not expecting quite as good as 2009, but FAR, FAR better than the miserable crop year in 2010. Adequate snows and the cool spring weather are postponing flowering until after the danger of late frosts… however, the cool weather continues to linger, so still a danger of frosting, although rarely after May 10. Lots of moisture, and little danger of frosting gets me salivating in purple!!! Excessively hot later summer weather, which we’ve not had in a few years, could still damage the crop as it matures… but I am VERY OPTIMISTIC at this point.

Wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

International Wild Huckleberry Association

Sandy and Malcolm Dell

We have a NEW Facebook Page!!  With all the new features and gadgets available on Facebook, we have decided to start a new page with more bells and whistles!

For example, you can now order huckleberry rakes and huckleberry cookbooks right off our new page.

Join us there and make sure to click the LIKE button!

“I Love Wild Huckleberries! Picking, Growing, and Cooking” Facebook Page

Thanks!!

Blog: Huckleberries Still Small, Green

The Spokesman Review (blog)
I took a drive to the Blue Mountains Sunday to check on the status of one of my huckleberry patches. The quick report there is the berries are still small …

I heard it straight from the Boss (Mr. Huckleberry, himself!) that there is still time to order huckleberry gifts and have them arrive in time for Christmas.

Here are the deadlines for a high probability of delivery before Santa arrives:

For Idaho and surrounding states (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada) –  Orders should be placed by DECEMBER 20 for shipping no later than December 21.

For the East Coast and Southeastern states:  Orders should be placed by December 14,  for shipping on or before December 15.

Note that orders placed after this date can still make it to their locations by Christmas Day, IF you are willing to pay for expedited shipping… call for details.

And if your gift recipients are out for the holidays anyway, or if you do not care if the package arrives by Christmas, then order as late as you want… they will ship, usually next business day.

Of course, no vendor can guarantee the performance of shipping companies NOR can anyone guarantee how much inventory will remain in stock …. SO GET YOUR ORDERS IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! (But from past experience, these deadlines should still get your orders to your loved ones in time!)

Once again, here are the websites where you can purchase great tasting wild huckleberry products:

Tastes of Idaho features Idaho-made products and has a very large selection of huckleberry products like Wildbeary Huckleberry Products, Gem Berry Products, Wild Mountain Berries, Gold Mountain, Idaho or BackCountry Redneck … and many more!  Also find huckleberry gift baskets or build-your-own gift baskets from the products listed on the site!  And believe it or not, we just received TWO shipments of brand new products — some already on the site and some will be added by the weekend!!

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Gem Berry Products which includes their huckleberry line and their award winning raspberry/huckleberry (razzleberry) line!  Best selling holiday gifts from Gem Berry include their famous huckleberry, raspberry/huckleberry or raspberry gift packs!

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Gold Mountain Gourmet featuring classy gold and purple shinny labeled huckleberry products!  Check out the unique huckleberry snack packs!

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If you are looking for humorous huckleberry products, check out Idaho Redneck Gifts!  You will be giving a great tasting huckleberry product with an entertaining label to keep your friends laughing all holiday long!  Gourmet foods and personal care products are both available on this site.

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More gift ideas can be found at:

Huckleberry Picking Rakes

The Ultimate Camping Fork (not huckleberry related, but a great gift idea)