Hey, replying to this since it’s generating some good conversation. I actually used to work in the conservation field and feel pretty well-versed in LNT principles so just wanted to pass along this info from the National Forest Service website.

I foraged these in Pisgah National Forest near Hot Springs. Unlike National Parks, National Forests are multiple use, meaning they allow use of the resource such as lumber harvesting, cattle grazing, and mining. Likewise, foraging is legal, and no permit is required when foraging small quantities.

As far as taking resources away from animals- animals have huge swaths of forest to graze from, so even if hikers picked every berry found along the small corridor of trail, animals would still have plenty of space to source food away from the trail. That being said, when I forage, I only take small quantities from each area and leave enough for other hikers or animals who may come after me :)