Garden/Farm This Year

Stay up to date with our farm adventures on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/locustcreek

Morel Mushroom Hunting

Published on Small Game America at: http://smallgameamerica.com/mushroom-hunting/

Mushroom Hunting

May 7, 2013

 

I know many of you reading this have been hunting a long time, most of your life. Some of you may be newer to hunting and it’s good to see you joining the ranks of people that enjoy the outdoors in a more intimate way than mere observers of the natural world. As hunters, we are participants in the ebb and flow of the seasons and are tuned in to the rhythms of nature. There is a time to deer hunt, there is a time to duck hunt, there is a time to squirrel hunt (my personal favorite), there is the time to catch crappie and there is a time to MUSHROOM HUNT!

Mushroom hunt? Yes, it’s referred to as hunting because this is no simple “picking” stroll like you might do at the local strawberry farm. You have to HUNT edible mushrooms like the wonderful morel. To collect these wild delicacies, it is not merely gathering like one might do with acorns that litter the ground – there is much searching and stalking involved.

 

 

 

If you are one of the fortunate folks that has ancestral knowledge of where morel mushrooms grow in patches (another word for groups) than you can do a great deal to mentor new mushroom hunters. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a hedge row of dead elms or access to old apple orchards, morel mushrooms can be found in many different locations in the timber. Depending on the area of the country you live in, morels spring up for a few weeks in April and May. There is quite a bit of folklore surrounding their arrival but everyone can agree that they are NOT easy to cultivate. In areas where I have to start from scratch locating mushrooms, I start scouting for them when the redbud trees are blooming. This is early but if I don’t know a property well it’s good to get my bearings. Generally, when the high temperatures are around 60 degrees and you have had soaking spring rains followed by sunny days is a good time to start looking. Always ask permission when participating in any activity on private land.

There are many articles and tips online for hunting the coveted morel and other species of mushroom but I am going to stick to the morel. There is a false morel that you need to be aware of but after looking at several true morels, you will know when one is obviously wrong. However, this is why it is best to find an experienced mushroom mentor. Compared to other kinds of fungi, morels are easy.

 

 

Depending on the stage of growth they can range widely in size but they all have the characteristic appearance to the top. If I’m new to an area, I like to walk along ditches (what we call creeks) looking for any type of mushroom at all. A fungus is a fungus and all like similar conditions to grow in. Look around dead trees, burned areas, open woodlots and moist places. Some other plants to look for are those that thrive in similar damp conditions include mayapple and many other succulent plants that arrive in springtime. There seems to be a connection to disturbed areas up to a point so skidder trails and slash piles can be productive sites. Decaying woody debris like old logs are always worth a peek.

Once I find a morel, I instantly freeze and look for others. If you move, you could fall victim to the greatest faux pas among dedicated mushroom hunters – stepping on a mushroom. If you smash one you will never hear the end of it! It is good to leave the base of the mushroom in the ground by pinching it off as you collect your prize. This will help keep the fibers that produce mushrooms intact for future years of harvested. The tradition of carrying morels in a porous onion sack to let spores fall as you walk is not supported by research but it does keep the mushrooms from getting damaged.

Mushroom hunting is a great way to get the whole family outside and the other reward is a delicious addition to the table. Morel mushrooms are a delicacy and are a favorite seasonal ingredient in French cuisine but they go nicely with the crappie fillets you have or any venison you may have left over from last season. The most common recipes include sautéing in butter or breading and frying like you might do chicken or squirrel.

 

Author Marc Gray with a nice sized Morel

Marc Gray

Gray’s Mountain Feist https://www.facebook.com/grayfeist

***Note: If you are unsure what kind of mushroom it is – DO NOT EAT IT***

Busy Spring

Spring sprang and now we are transitioning into summer. I haven't been posting much on the blog - so, please forgive me for that! Facebook and LinkedIn have been getting more daily attention, but what can you do?

We have been on several day trips to hike and have been preparing for our baby to arrive in June! Stay tuned for pics of our new daughter in outdoor settings! Memorial Day Weekend we had some friends and family over for cookouts and we made a mad dash to Sandbridge to get some sand between our toes. The dogs are doing well and we have a litter of Mountain Feist pups here that were born on May 24th.

Fishing has been good, when I get a chance to go. The weather is heating up and I am looking forward to more water-related activities!!!

Baseball/T-ball has been going well for the nephews and I have enjoyed watching them learn the game. Never can get to enough of those!

I hope everyone stays cool and does a good job of keeping those bugs off. Have fun and stay safe outside. There's a lot out there to enjoy!

SQUIRREL HUNTING WITH DOGS DVD!!!!

Order your copy of our DVD on the website! http://www.graysfeist.yolasite.com/

International Wildlife Conservation on Facebook!

Safari Club International Foundation on Facebook (click here)



Check out the page at the link above and share with your friends! Anyone concerned with wildlife conservation should "like" the Safari Club International Foundation Facebook Page!!!

TV Segment Highlights Anti-Poaching Efforts

http://www.ammoland.com/2012/02/23/tv-segment-highlights-anti-poaching-efforts/

Washington, D.C. –-(Ammoland.com)- On Tuesday, February 22, 2012, NBC’s “Rock Center with Brian Williams” aired a detailed segment on rhino poaching in South Africa.
Because the price of rhino horn has increased dramatically over the past few decades, statistics show poachers killed nearly 450 rhinos last year. In 2012 alone, poachers have killed one rhino every 18 hours.
The segment also highlighted the efforts by conservation groups in South Africa trying to combat this illegal and reprehensible trade. The WILD Foundation (www.wild.org) began ‘Operation Rhino’ in the 1960s, a program responsible for establishing a successful anti-poaching network working with the operators of breeding colonies and game reserves. Now, by inserting microchips and collecting DNA samples of the animals, researchers can match confiscated horns with poached carcasses and take legal action.
This issue is at the forefront of Safari Club International (SCI) and Safari Club International Foundation’s (SCI Foundation) conservation efforts.

“We appreciate the assistance from NBC in spreading the message that poaching and illegal trade will not be tolerated. SCI and SCI Foundation continue to develop partnerships with wildlife agencies and other conservation organizations to help put an end to the despicable poaching of rhinos,” said Kevin Anderson, SCI President.

Through a partnership with the WILD Foundation and the Magqubu Ntombela Foundation, Safari Club International established the “Rhino Informant Incentive Fund.” The program employs an expert team of informants who gather legal and forensic intelligence about poachers. Contributions to the WILD Foundation Rhino Informant Incentive Fund can be made at www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=1274&AID=445

“Continued cooperation between government, conservation groups and private stakeholders is essential to enhance wildlife management in South Africa,” said Joseph Hosmer, President of SCI Foundation. “We will continue to focus our resources on the conservation of the rhino and effective enforcement against criminal poachers.”

Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that funds and manages worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation, outdoor education, and humanitarian services. Since 2000, SCIF has provided $47 million to these causes around the. Visit www.safariclubfoundation.org for more.

Anti-poaching

Photo courtesy of the Chiredzi River Black Rhino Charitable Trust

Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) has awarded multiple grants to land conservancies in Southern Africa that serve as important reserves for black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and other wildlife. Since 2008, an increase in rhino poaching has been reported in southern Africa. In this same time frame, SCIF has provided over US $80,000 to fund rangers, aircraft, trail cameras, telemetry equipment and other tools to combat the increase in poaching. Collaborative efforts among conservation organizations and the hunting industry are using hunter-generated revenue to successfully prevent poaching.

One of SCIF’s partners, the Chiredzi River Black Rhino Charitable Trust (Chiredzi River Conservancy) uses funds provided by SCIF to promote its anti-poaching activities through the deployment of Game Scouts (anti-poaching rangers) that patrol the conservancy. In addition to the SCIF grant, the Chiredzi River Conservancy sought advice from Matt Eckert, SCIF Manager of Science-Based Conservation Programs & Research, for developing a conservation model for the organization. Within the last year, the Chiredzi River Conservancy has taken great strides toward reducing poaching activity and plans to employ additional anti-poaching personnel to maintain patrols.

In Tanzania, the Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF) conducts surveillance flights with microlight aircraft because of vital support from SCIF. FCF is working closely with the Tanzanian government on poacher surveillance. The microlight covers more than 9 million acres of protected areas. Although the work conducted by FCF focuses on elephants and the general bushmeat trade, the techniques being perfected will undoubtedly have wider applications for anti-poaching work throughout Africa. Airborne reconnaissance that coordinates movements of ground crews improves the speed of ranger response and ultimately leads to more arrests.

In 2011, SCIF announced a partnership with The WILD Foundation where rhino poaching will be fought in South Africa through the Rhino Informant Incentive Fund (RIIF). The RIIF provides financial incentives to economically underdeveloped rural communities where rhino poachers reside. Furthermore, local individuals act as informants to assist local law enforcement in apprehending poachers. RIIF has led to the confiscation of horns, weapons and equipment.

SCIF’s sister organization Safari Club International (SCI) has actively lobbied on behalf of the Rhino & Tiger Conservation Fund (RTCF) that has been administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for well over 10 years. Multiple other rhino conservation organizations have benefitted by receiving funds from the Rhino& Tiger Conservation Fund. SCI was a founding member of the Multi-National Species Conservation Fund Coalition (MNSFC), currently sits on the coalition steering committee, and financially supports the coalition coordinator. Both the RTCF and MNSFC provide assistance to global wildlife conservation efforts. The MNSFC fought very hard in recent budget debates in the United States Congress to ensure that the Multi-National Conservation Funds remained a part of the Fish & Wildlife Service budget. Without the involvement of SCI and others of the coalition, these precious funds may not have been realized.

Rhinos reproduce slowly so it is a natural reaction by managers to immediately become preservationists when faced with seemingly insurmountable poaching activity. Anti-poaching teams require significant financial investment and SCIF has identified ways to make these programs sustainable. Legal hunting of rhinoceros exists in accordance to recommendations of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Hosting carefully implemented hunts for non-reproducing individuals (i.e., over-mature males) can generate considerable amount of revenue for conservation programs. In fact, over-mature males have the potential to pose a threat to black rhinos still able to contribute to the future of the species.

Sustainable-use of rhinos can promote enhancement of the species just like so many other game animals. Ensuring that animals harvested lawfully do not enter the illegal trade in wildlife parts and tarnish the reputation of legitimate conservationists is a major consideration of SCIF. Poachers and smugglers should not benefit from the dedicated work of true rhino conservationists by skimming the gains made after decades of due diligence. Additional opportunities to support rhino conservation are currently being reviewed by the SCIF. If you would like to do your part to fight poaching, please consider making a contribution to SCIF by contacting: Dana Dawson at 520-620-1220 ext. 485 or ddawson@safariclub.org.