Morels!

D

dbaken

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Last year I decided to give morel hunting in Mt Hood National Forest a try. Went to the ranger station in Zig Zag, they gave me a map of the forest with the open areas for mushrooms. I put on my clueless face (I seem to be a natural at it) and the nice ranger woman pointed out a couple spots to try.

Went to the first spot and randomly walked around in the woods finding many mushrooms, but no morels. A guy riding his bike stopped near me, so asked him what the trick was. Gotta get your eyes used to seeing them. He then picked about 5 right by me that I hadn't seen. But seeing what they looked like in the forest was the trick. Ended up finding around 15 that day. Tried again the next week and found a few more.

Went today the first time this year. Did a lot better! IMG_20240517_125226120_HDR.jpgIMG_20240517_164216176_HDR.jpg
 
I’m just gonna put this here. It’s a pic of a stinkhorn my kid noticed in Costa Rica yesterday—bridal veil fungus is one name. Our guide said only eat it if you wanna see dragons with pink and purple wings, but Wikipedia says it’s edible, delicious, and was served to Henry Kissinger.
IMG_0764.jpeg
 
Jonnytutu said:
what sort of habitat/trees did you find the spring kings in?

Fin
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They definitely have a preferred tree but IMO it’s pretty random where they choose to fruit. Just when I think I have it down they always surprise me to some degree. This is the best time frame to scout blowouts for the following year, give or take a week or so. Once located they are generally found in the same locations year after year. Remember those spots/weather conditions and match the timing and location a week+ earlier the next year. Spring kings get wormy fast when out of the ground. Humps and bumps are your friend.
 
I find my spring kings most often in evergreen forests on the northeast slopes of mountains. Best habitats seems to be the edges of clearing along roads and along old woodcutting tracks. They are best when you find them underground. A telltale bump in the ground gives their location away.
 
Rob is right on with the somewhat disturbed habitat (roadsides etc). That being said I also have quite a few spots that are in undisturbed forest, some of which are in fairly dense undergrowth (vine maple). I was being secretive last night but you’re really wanting to target grand fir habitat. Just like chanterelles and their partner trees (Doug fir, spruce) you won’t find them under every tree. Hunt a variety of that habitat and you may get lucky. Also, head east.
 
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