Spring Morel Mushroom Hunting

MOREL MUSHROOMS: HUNTING TIPS, TYPES, ID, COOKING

Technical information gathered from MO Conservation:

http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2001/03/wild-morels?page=0,1

http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/outdoor-recreation/how/mushrooms/munchable-morels

Introduction:

Local Ozarkians, including myself, await the short moment in Spring to go hiking the hills and forests for a lucky chance to find a morel mushroom.  A delicious delicacy sought after by many people all over the world.  This document is a reference for myself, as well as a guide for you.  I've already had my serving of wild morels this year...have you?

Morel Mushroom Season:

According to MO Dept. of Conservation (MDC), the hunting season begins here in the southern part of the state starting in April and lasts for about 5 weeks, depending on the weather.  If soil temperatures are warmed slowly, then the first black morels will appear later and probably scatters and slow to emerge. Hot dry weather ends it sooner while cool moist weather could extend the season into May. This time frame is for all the species, but if only searching for one in particular then the season is more than likely to only last for a couple of weeks.  Morels are dependent upon the architecture of the soil, so fertility and soil temp as well as and moisture all play a big role in mushroom development.

Keep in mind that different places within the same region might have a slightly different climate because of mountainous terrain, so hunting dates could start a little earlier or extend a little longer, depending on sun, wind and temps in that exact location.

Location of Morels:

Doesn't everyone want to know where they grow?  There is no simple answer and I've been searching for years.  When asking the locals for their tips and thoughts, there will be a different opinion from each person you talk to.  Some say in the woods, some say in a field, on a hill, on the mountain top, under a basswood or cherry tree, by a steam, in the leaves, in the yard or where certain wild flowers bloom, on the south side, on the north side. I have personally found them in any of these locations and even in deep valleys by waterways. 

I've came to the conclusion that morels grow wherever they want!  MDC backs up my theory with this statement, " They often grow where they shouldn't, and they don't grow where they should", and also says that many MO forests contain no morels at all. This explains why it is hit and miss all the time and that the locals are reluctant to tell the location of the secret patch.  Previously logged or burned forests or may be a hotspot to hunt, as been reported. 

Types of Morels:

The False Morel (also called red or giant morel) is poisonous and often grows around a rotted oak tree or stump very early in the season. This is not a true morel. (Gyromitra species)

Black Morel is the earliest true morel, appearing two weeks before the common morel. Huge harvests can be found. Other species are not usually found in the same area. Look in wooded area's under ash tree's. (Morchella angusticeps/elata)

Half-Free Morel comes next and is very small, often mixed with common morels. It's the only morel with a "free-skirt" cap and a stalk that's longer than the cap. Look under ash and elm trees. (Morchella semilibera)

Common Morel appears in mid season, just when the black morel is maturing.  Large harvests are not typically found in the same area.  Find singularly or in small groups of all sizes. Look under elm, ash and apple trees, but may be found just about anywhere. (Morchella esculenta)

Late Morel are the last to appear.  They are small in size (1"-3") and will be in small  quantities. (Morchella deliciosa)


Picture ID from MDC

 From left to right: Common, Half-free, Black, False

Personal Conclusion:

In my own mushroom searches, I do go by a few guidelines that I have heard, read or learned myself.  In other words, this is my own personal opinion.  I start looking right before the dogwoods bloom and when the nights stay above 55 degrees, which is about the time the yellow Forsythia bushes bloom. It's also about the time the oak buds are just starting to open. 

I think that wooded area's where stands of May Apples appear, seems to have favorable soil conditions. Look on hilltops and mountain sides facing the morning sun.  Start looking if there is an afternoon rain shower when the sun shines bright and strong afterwards.  This will pop them right up.  I have found these afternoon morels in fertile ground where run off water goes to the lake.

I think you have to find them before the animals do too.  I've heard wild hogs seek them out and I'm pretty sure that's what happened to me this year in one certain area by the lake.  I found only 5 and saw lots of factors that there was a razorback in the area, mainly because of the half-circular marks in the mutilated ground which could very well be from the tusks of a hog (IMO). So glad I didn't meet one, I hear they are super mean!

It is good practice to carry your harvest in a mesh bag, that way the spores will go through and be distributed as you walk along. I often use a zippered bag made to protect dedicates in the washing machine.  The mushrooms need ventilation to stay fresh.  A better but less portable container is a basket to keep them from getting smashed.

Identifying types of trees is harder than it sounds, especially before they start to bud.  I haven't had much luck with bark ID yet, but I'll try and dig up some info on this as well. My part of the Ozarks are filled mostly with oaks and cedar so maybe that's why its so hard to find them??

TREE IDENTIFICATION:

Opposite branched means the leaf stems are located opposite of each other.  Compound leaves mean there are numerous leaves on each stem like a walnut tree. ZigZag confirmation means there is no bud at the end up the stem so it appears to look like a zigzag shape.

Elm: ZigZag Confirmation. Sharp buds. Slippery Elm bark is dark brown with thick braided ridges . The most common American Elm bark is grey, broad ridges with thin flaky scales. Small greenish flowers clusters on the end of the stem. Fruits have dangling black seeds on the end.

Ash: Opposite Branced Stems. Compound Leaves. 2 scales covering the bud. White and Green Ash Bark is light grey with with a diamond shape ridge. Blue Ash Bark has a fish scale pattern. American Mountain Ash has white blooms.

Black Cherry: Very Fragrant Blooms. Bark is dark reddish brown that starts smooth then flares out, making rough looking scaly bark. 

Tree Info:
http://forestry.about.com/od/hardwoods/ss/Amerelm.htm
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/american_elm.htm
http://forestry.about.com/od/hardwoods/tp/hardwood_list.01.htm

Cooking Edible Morels:

I only know one way to eat these delicious morsels.  Fry em and eat em!  It's especially good to cook them on site :)

Makes for a very nice breakfast, lakeside after a kayak mushroom hunt.  Nice way to enjoy the Spring flood season.





I do however do a little prep work first.  Slice the mushrooms lengthwise into bite size sections.  Fill a large bowl of salt water and soak them for at least 30 min.  I set mine in the refrigerator overnight. This will bring out any bugs that may be living inside and rid the mushroom of any dirt, sand or debris.  Some people prefer to skip the salt water bath, as they claim it ruins the taste and texture.  I think it's good but go ahead if you don't mind eating an ant, bug, spider or worm!  I've ate it both ways.  Just depends on where I am when I'm cooking them. 

Dip each piece into beaten egg and then into peppered flour.  Repeat again.  Fry in a shallow pan of preheated oil until light brown and crispy.  Eat and Enjoy!

Warning and Tip from MDC:

"Don't overdo it, though. Eating too much can cause stomach upset, and morels have been known to cause mild poisoning symptoms when consumed with alcohol. I limit myself to a pint of morels a day (measured before cooking).

If you stumble on a mother lode of morels, you can preserve some by drying or partially cooking and then freezing them. A meal of morels enjoyed in the dead of winter is a welcome reminder that spring is coming."

Buying or Growing Morels:

For those who do not want to trek acres and acres of woodland, searching and searching and searching...there are some other options.  Prized nearly as much as the truffle, morels have a pretty hefty price tag to purchase.  I did a quick search on the Internet to see what the going rate was to buy morels. 

Sun Dried Morels on Amazon, grown in the U.S. Northwest Mountains, are going for $100 per 8 oz.  or $200 per lb. 

Fresh Morels at http://morelmas.ipower.com/store/index.html, located in the Midwest, takes pre-orders during the 1st part of April for fresh morels (and others) which states $65 per lb including overnight shipping and handling, that may include ice if the weather is hot. Note: 1 lb of fresh morels is approximately 24 mushrooms, depending on the size.

Or Grow Your Own! "Rainbow Seeds" sell grow kits on Amazon for about $70. They provide the spawn and instructions on how to prepare a mushroom patch in your back yard for year after year production. I might have to try that out!


Happy Hunting...