I picked and ate mushrooms as a kid frequently. I had some books and very quickly learned to identify the poisonous and edible kinds. It wasn't that hard and I never got sick. But I was careful and did research first and if there was any doubt I left the mushroom alone. I personally loved picking mushrooms... it was a lot of fun. I don't see it as dumb or risky at all as long as you know what you are doing.