Mushroom Hunting
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 sautΓ©ing 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***
