April 16th, 2012 Finds!!!!

[CP Dan]

Once again, the quick stop after work. This time it turned into me calling my wife and asking her to pick up the kids from daycare......

I can't believe these were still out there. I found them in a spot that I know to be pretty heavily hit. As a matter of fact, as I was hunting them another person came up on me. Which brings something else up. Etiquette.. I don't know what everyone else's practice is, but if I see someone hunting an area, I don't go into the space they are already hunting. I mean, it's one thing to be 100 yards from where they are hunting, but not 20 feet......

[johnbon]

Definitely jealous, Dan. =o I think on my way home from class today, Ill stop off at a place or two I know of, see what I cant find.

[blitzfish]

Ok, I REALLY have to get out no... just haven't had time to check recently! Dang school!

[cklamer]

Nice find! I've been out scouting quite a bit at lunch/after work, and only a few small groupings so far. I hate it when I return to an area I've been watching only to find the little stumps of cut morels!

[mushroommike]

@ Defo Dan...welcome to public hunting grounds and the world of morels.com. As I said before, the benefits of social networking connecting people to mushroom hunting do have their pitfalls.

[omth]

Yesterday we had about 4 inches of snow... everything seems to be back on hold, again. bah!

[mike7mm08]

Got about a pound of large greys today. Northern washington county. Sunny south hillside. I only had to pick about half of them the rest I took from a lowlife trespassing $%#$@!. He will be getting a visit from the sheriff soon as well. Checked my other early spots. One was already picked probable the same trespasser and the other spots nothing. Considering it has been in the 30s at night figure it will be a bit before I find any large numbers.

[blitzfish]

great report mike, sorry to here that though. Should be good when I come back this weekend then!

[Earthmom]

DD - If I see someone else hunting, I personally go as far in the opposite direction as possible in case they didn't make it that far. Sometimes I chat with the hunter if they appear friendly and that has been every case so far...and we compare notes. I've been pretty lucky though and haven't seen many hunters in my time doing this. I try to go when I don't think others will be there.

MIKE7 - that bites...morel hunting really is a sickness at times! Ethics and integrity sure can go out the window when you've got the fever but I'm sure the sheriff will cure 'em!

[mikeologist]

Yea, I might do a stop and chat, but I certainly wouldnt impinge on their find.

As far as trespassing goes, there was just a state law passed that gives authority to a property owner to use a firearm against unwarranted visitors into their house, car, and property. I would have no problem firing a warning shot into the air to ward off said people or telling them I can legally shoot them without repercussion, on the other hand, you had better not get caught trespassing by the wrong person. They may not be as nice as I.

[mushroommike]

I'm no lawyer but I'm going to stop you there, because that is blatantly misleading.

According to the new legislation or "Castle Doctrine", a homeowner can in no way shoot to kill a trespasser if they are simply walking in the woods. The new law clearly states: "(the law) expands a person’s right to use deadly or substantial force against someone who unlawfully and forcibly enters their “dwelling,” “vehicle,” or “place of business,” regardless of whether such force is necessary or reasonable to defend against imminent death or substantial harm."

Further: "They (WI legislation) shaped an amendment that extended the bill’s protections to include lawns, sidewalks and swimming pools outside the residences, as well as vehicles and places of business."

I don't believe walking in the woods picking mushrooms qualifies as any of the above. If you shoot someone in the woods under the auspice of trespassing, you're going to jail for murder.

[mikeologist]

So there it is! If you shoot anyone on your property, you'd probably want to eat the remains along with their mushrooms and bury the carcass!

[blitzfish]

ha ha ha, you two just made my day...

[mike7mm08]

I always am carrying my 357 in plain view when in the woods. People seem less argumentative when I am resting my hand on the butt of a revolver. I have had to draw on someone more than once.I also carry a shotgun in the truck with a couple boxes of shells and hearing protection. If I find a car parked I take a walk. Leaving someone on the road. If I don't find anyone right away. I see how fast I can run a box of 25 shells through my shotgun. Funny how fast people can make it back to there car and to the person waiting on the road with a camera cell phone and another gun.

Don't think I am some crazy gun nut. Just too many crazy people in this world that you just never know what they might do. I will not start anything but I damn sure will finish it.

I always get the law involved. The property is in Washington and Sheboygan county. I have called so many times, for trespassing between mushrooms and hunting, I know probable half of each department.

[blitzfish]

Sorry to hear you have such problems there with trespassers, you think they would take a hint after a while?!?!