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Hunting Wild Mushrooms
Folks have been out in Ohio forests and wood lots hunting for wild mushrooms, continuing a great spring tradition here in Ohio.
Maybe this doesn’t speak too well of my observational abilities, but I’ve always had a tough time spotting mushrooms (I’ll blame it on wearing corrective lenses since age 8). But my hawk-eyed dad is a whiz at it.
While wild mushrooms aren’t psychodelic, they certainly seem to cast a spell over hunters. One district forester with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources once told me, “I think it’s the anticipation of finding something.” When a wild mushroom is found, “everyone gets down on their hands and knees and starts looking for more. It’s almost like you’re prospecting for gold or something. Everyone seems to get a thrill out of finding a dozen or so mushrooms under a tree.”
In addition to ashes and elms, mushrooms tend to pop up around tulip poplars, probably because the soil those trees grow in also suits mushrooms. You might also find them in old apple orchards, along railroad tracks and in low-lying areas by streams. They also tend to grow in the same spot.
Several Miami Valley parks allow mushroom hunting with a permit, while nature preserves generally do not. Those seeking mushrooms on private property should obtain permission from landowners before doing so.
I’m curious to know if you’ve been finding mushrooms locally this year. (I won’t waste my breath asking where you find them.) Do you ever hunt for them in Michigan on Memorial Day weekend? Any suggestions for cooking wild mushrooms? (A mushroom called the false morel can make some people sick. To avoid ingesting the wrong mushrooms, those new to hunting should be accompanied by someone who knows which mushrooms are edible.)
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By victor mickunas
May 5, 2008 10:33 PM | Link to this
There were 2 dozen morels coming up through the leaves on the edge of my gravel driveway on Friday. Delicious!By Joaniesgarden
May 6, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this
I hunted for elusive things last Saturday along the stream beds of my sister’s woods and all I found later were a dozen deer ticks crawling on me. Never follow deer paths. ACK!By Sarahbones
May 7, 2008 3:20 AM | Link to this
Nephew found 2 at my front garage door. I didn’t even think to look there.