Post by Earthmom on Mar 10, 2012 10:27:42 GMT -6
Hi All! So if you can, get in a bunch of hiking this weekend. It's a great time to start scoping out possible locations for morels! While you are driving, er, a passenger in car (wink), start looking for those far off dying trees in a forest or patch of woods OR even in the city in a park, because those are likely locations to look. If you don't know who owns the land, go online and start researching property tax parcels, etc. In Dane county you can see all land owners by using this site:
accessdane.co.dane.wi.us/
It's a bit tricky to use at first, and it does go faster in the evening, but you can find out if land is owned by the city, county, state, etc. You'd be surprised how much is public. And as always, ask permission if it's private. There may be a phone number listed for the owner so give 'em a call. Sometimes they don't even live in the state so they may just say yes easily. Otherwise, go and talk to the person who lives there and see if they want to learn to find them or maybe you can offer them some of your take...it's worth it!
Okay so next, if you already know what velvet foot mushrooms are (those are popping now and have been for at least a month now) be sure to check back in those spots next month. If you find those, it's a prime location for morels as they grow on the same trees; dead/dying elms. Oh, and of course don't forget good ole pheasant backs, dryad saddles. I must admit though that they tend to grow on the elms that are too far gone to support morel growth but nevertheless, there must be more dying elms in the area as the disease that kills elm is spread via the roots from one tree to another. Besides the best dying elm trees are those that still have ALOT of bark just starting to slough off. If a tree already has its bark gone, it may only have one or two morels whereas a tree with most bark on may easily have a hundred!
Lastly, take note of all those trees being trimmed along the side of roads or along your hiking paths. Morel mycelia are present in more soil that people realize so it could be a patch of maple or poplar supporting them...cut them down and the morels will fruit! Just double check those areas all through the season.
If I can remember anymore good ideas for people I'll post on here and please if you want to share your morels hunting tips (I know it's like doggy dog in the morel hunting world but maybe...) post as well! Good luck newbies!
accessdane.co.dane.wi.us/
It's a bit tricky to use at first, and it does go faster in the evening, but you can find out if land is owned by the city, county, state, etc. You'd be surprised how much is public. And as always, ask permission if it's private. There may be a phone number listed for the owner so give 'em a call. Sometimes they don't even live in the state so they may just say yes easily. Otherwise, go and talk to the person who lives there and see if they want to learn to find them or maybe you can offer them some of your take...it's worth it!
Okay so next, if you already know what velvet foot mushrooms are (those are popping now and have been for at least a month now) be sure to check back in those spots next month. If you find those, it's a prime location for morels as they grow on the same trees; dead/dying elms. Oh, and of course don't forget good ole pheasant backs, dryad saddles. I must admit though that they tend to grow on the elms that are too far gone to support morel growth but nevertheless, there must be more dying elms in the area as the disease that kills elm is spread via the roots from one tree to another. Besides the best dying elm trees are those that still have ALOT of bark just starting to slough off. If a tree already has its bark gone, it may only have one or two morels whereas a tree with most bark on may easily have a hundred!
Lastly, take note of all those trees being trimmed along the side of roads or along your hiking paths. Morel mycelia are present in more soil that people realize so it could be a patch of maple or poplar supporting them...cut them down and the morels will fruit! Just double check those areas all through the season.
If I can remember anymore good ideas for people I'll post on here and please if you want to share your morels hunting tips (I know it's like doggy dog in the morel hunting world but maybe...) post as well! Good luck newbies!