Equipment
We recommend a minimum of two open-weave baskets. Keep at least one for the mushrooms you've confidently identified. But carry another for the ones you're not sure of, and don't use it for anything else (so that there's no problem if a poisonous specimen gets in). Why open-weave? Putting your find in the basket cap upwards (which helps keep it clean), means that its spores can fall through the gaps: this way you help the species to spread as you roam. We use fern fronds to separate the layers of picked mushrooms, for the same reason.

Always pick mushrooms with a knife - a sharp knife with a short blade and an easy-grip handle so you can cut through the mushroom stem as you pick it, all with one hand if possible. (Digging or pulling can disturb the underground trails on which many mushrooms grow.) Clean the knife carefully with tissue or kitchen towel between each picking - be scrupulous about this. Put the used tissues in a separate plastic bag and throw the lot away as soon as you get home.

You can buy special knives for mushrooming, with a blade at one end and a brush at the other. But a separate small soft brush, the sort used for make-up or pastry, is just as good. Brush all your finds clean of debris - this keeps the contents of your basket clean, and there'll be less to do when you get home eager to start cooking!

Use a disposable glove (or put your hand inside a small plastic bag) if you're picking ANY fungi that might be poisonous. Put used gloves/bags in the throwaway bag with the tissues you used to clean your knife.

We also recommend that you carry a long stick - just a little shorter than you are. It's invaluable for parting bracken and undergrowth to discover hidden fungi. Use it to turn over doubtful specimens, and to clear away leaf mould and other.

With gear like this, not to mention the baskets and stick, the serious mushroom hunter is recognised, respected - and left alone to concentrate on the quest.

Codes
Only pick fully-open specimens - immature fungi are hard to identify correctly. But pick them freshly opened: they taste better; even more importantly, the older ones need to be left to spread their spores for the next growth. Never, ever, pick a rare species: leave it to do its best to get less rare!

If you're not on public land, be sure to get the owner's permission to foray. On all land, public or private, follow the Country Code, respecting animals and crops and leaving no litter. Mushroom hunters also take great care to not to damage vegetation, leaf mould, soil, or any other mushroom habitat. Which also means never removing dead wood unless it's essential for identifying a fungus. Wild mushrooms are special, and they and their growing-places should be treated that way. It's not much to ask in return for such delicious food!