Growing up in the Midwest, mushroom hunting was past time for me and my father. I’ll never forget how proud he was of me when I found my first morel, and how it looked like a glowing diamond in this forest by our home in Peoria, Illinois.
This time of year is ripe for morels, and if you’ve never been there are some things you need to know before you go.
1.) Get up early. The morel hunters will be up before dawn.
2.) Bundle up. The ideal temperature for morel hunting is 45-55 degrees
3.) Morels live in and on the edge of forested areas. Look for ash, aspen, elm, and oak trees, around which morels often grow. Early in the spring as the ground is warming, you’ll find them on south-facing slopes in fairly open areas. As the season progresses, go deeper into the woods and onto north-facing slopes.
Also know WHAT to look for.
THIS is NOT a morel. It IS poisonous. Do not eat this.
Field & Stream offers great beginners guide for novice morel hunters. Click here.
For more, check out this video.
Happy hunting!
