Mushroom pickers in Estonia advised to share their location with loved ones — ERR News
In Estonia, police specialists advise mushroom pickers to mark their location on a map before going into the forest, share it with relatives or trusted friends, and wear conspicuous clothing. As ERR News reports, police searched forests for more than 170 missing mushroom pickers last year.
Kerth Kotkas, head of the remote surveillance unit at Estonia’s Police and Border Guard Board, noted that the search method depends on the terrain. When possible, drones are used in operations: even if a person cannot be found immediately, a drone can help rule out areas where they definitely are not.
Drones and dogs
The forest is not always suitable for drone operations. In cloudy weather, when clouds obscure even the tops of mobile communication towers, it is difficult for a helicopter to begin operating, while drones have flight altitude restrictions. In such conditions, a dog can help with the search.
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Dog handler Allan Kaljur explained that a dog can pick up a trail if the place where the mushroom picker entered the forest is known. If the missing person’s car was left near the forest, it is advised not to touch it and to call a dog handler so that the search can begin from that point.
Conspicuous clothing and location
Police also advise choosing white clothing or a neon reflective vest for a trip to the forest. According to Kerth Kotkas, a white bucket and white headwear make it easier to find a person with a drone during daylight hours, while a neon vest is clearly visible in the forest regardless of the season.
Kotkas noted that Estonian forests can be so dense that it is difficult to spot a person even from a distance of three meters. After a missing person is located, a drone with a loudspeaker can address them and help guide them out of the forest. Specialists advise against publicly disclosing mushroom spots, but recommend sharing information about them with loved ones or trusted friends.
