7 Tips For Finding More Morels

If you fancy yourself an outdoorsman of any kind, then I am sure that you are familiar with one of nature’s best-kept secrets—the morel mushroom. Often sought after for their rich flavors, these elusive mushrooms come out to play in March-June. Depending on where you live in the country. Finding morels can be challenging for some. Follow these tips to help your chances of coming home with a bucket of mushrooms!

Men and women alike are finding themselves in the woods more than ever this year. All scanning their local woods, near and far, hoping to bring home a bucket of mushrooms.

It is a tremendous activity to do with your children. Being able to share the ancient art of foraging and eating what mother earth provides is a lesson everyone should learn. It also combines exercise and time disconnected from the world. Something almost everyone could always use a little bit more of! So after deciding that you want to try your luck in the woods, it’s time to get hunting! Here are a few tips that are sure to help!

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1. Know Your Trees

One of the most important skills for locating morel mushrooms is being able to recognize the tree where they are most often found.  Joe Lacefield, a wildlife biologist, says, “If you want to find morels, he says start by learning to identify trees: sycamore, hickory, ash, and elm are four to focus on first. Morels favor fruit trees, too,” so an apple orchard would be a great place to check if there is one close by!

2. The Right Temperature

The temperature of the soil is one of the most crucial factors in hunting morels. You are looking for temperatures in the 50s to see the first morels. In comparison, 60’ are well known as the perfect temperature for finding them.

3. Search After a Rain

One of the perfect times to check the woods for morels is right after a classic warm spring rain. If you find a day in the perfect temperature of around 60 degrees, and it is right after rain. This is your best chance! Check the forecast frequently and mark down the perfect days!

Other Tip: If you can get your hands on a soil thermometer, you will be a step above the competition!

4. Don't Get Discouraged Finding Morels!

Finding morels in the wild is much easier said than done. Even when you follow these tips and abide by guidelines, there is never a guarantee. Even the most experienced hunters with years under their belt could find themselves leaving empty-handed. Some seasons are better than others, and some spots are better than others. You just have to keep hunting!

5. Pay Attention to Details

While morel hunting is a great hobby to include your children in, make sure you and they are both educated on spotting false morels or other poisonous kinds. Mushrooms can be toxic, and many of them resemble each other closely. So do your research and make sure you are aware of what a false morel is. As well as what mushrooms to just avoid as a whole.

The size of the morel does not matter. I have seen morels as small as a thumbtack and as big as a coke can! They come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing remains constant between them all. They taste great!

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6. Geography is Key!

Morels are particular in the types of ground that they like. They love loamy soil, a soil that can be found in creek bottoms. Gravel and under pine trees are also some tops spots to check because of their biological makeup.

Burn sites and logging areas can also provide the right situation to find morels. There are multiple ways to check your local area for wildfires online.  Don’t forget to include checking any wooded areas destroyed by equipment. Morels are always popping up around those types of areas.

7. Have Fun!

At the end of the day,m whether you come home with 50 morels or 5. It is the act of the hunt that should be a good enough reward! You are able to spend time in solitude or with others. At the same time, experiencing what the earth has created. It is an enlightening experience that comes with a serious reward at the end of it!

Happy Hunting!