Morel Mushroom Hunting

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Ethan Smith
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Video mayapples and morels
The pressing question: where to look for morels?

The first thing I can tell you is that Morels can be found anywhere, in the most unsuspected places. Veteran morel hunters can all tell stories where they searched long hours in their best spots, only to stumble upon a mushroom somewhere it shouldn’t have been. That’s what makes the morel so mysterious, yet so wonderful. With that said, there are certain areas to begin your search.

You want to find areas that are moist, but not soaking wet. Well-draining creek beds and lower elevations are great places to begin. The key is to understand that spores are only transferred in 3 ways: wind, water, or animals. Wind and water are the main methods of transport.

Starting in low-lying areas and near creek beds can increase your odds because water flows downhill. For the same reason, you should look for natural shelves on slopes since water may collect in such places.

Loamy soil is also important. Loam is a rich mixture of sand, silt, and clay. Loam rich in calcium or lime is excellent for morels. Identifying loamy soil is easy.

I like to use a walking stick with a point the size of my little finger. When you press down on the soil, it should take a little pressure and then break through the ground. Swampy, muddy soil is not conducive to morel growth, so if your stick presses into the soil like soup, it’s too wet.

If you must press with all your might, the ground is too hard. Once again, I must stress that I have found morels in rock-hard soil, and I have found them in the center of swamps, but these are rare occurrences.

See also  Identifying the Differences Between Mule & Whitetail Deer Blog 27 Dec, 2017 Posted By: Austin Weber If you are new to the great outdoors and or hunting it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between certain species. Take for example the Whitetail and Mule deer. At face value they have similar characteristics, perhaps the most common similarity is their physical makeup. Both deer are similar in stature standing roughly 3 to 3-1/3 feet off the ground. For a beginner based on height alone it would not be easy to distinguish one between the other. With weight being similar, as well as both males having antlers it doesn’t make it any easier for someone to pinpoint which is which. The Mule and Whitetail deer also have similar brown coats making it even that much more difficult for a new hunter.If hunting it is absolutely essential that one can distinguish between the Whitetail and Mule deer to ensure a mistake is not made and the wrong species is taken without the proper tag. Now whereas Whitetails can be found in almost all of North America the Mule deer tends to be found in fewer areas and are predominantly spotted in Western North America. To help identify a Whitetail from a Mule deer there are some key attributes to look for on the animal. These features are the main recognizable differences between the two mammals: Facial features Antler Shape Rear (tail) Ear Size Facial FeaturesMule deer have a distinct patch of white from their eyes to their nose that is lighter than the rest of their coat. When looking at a Whitetail’s face you will see that their entire face is similar to the rest of their coat. Around the Whitetail’s nose you will find some white, but not as much as found on the Mule deer. The facial distinction is perhaps one of the easiest and most recognizable tools to use in differentiating the two.            Antler ShapeThough both species have antlers that they shed and regrow each year there are some differences between the two. Mule deer antlers have more of a fork look to them. They have a main beam split that goes in two directions and as they grow they continue to fork. A Whitetail’s antlers do not fork; they have one main beam rather where other tines grow off of the main beam. This is a more difficult observation then the facial features, but can be used to distinguish the two.          Rear EndAs the name ensues, the Whitetail’s tail white on the inside; imagine the tail up at alert or if the deer is running away you would see a patch of white. When the tail is down it is a thick brown patch with traces of white on the rear. When looking at a Mule deer tail you will find that it is thinner and mostly white on the outside with a black tip at the bottom. The rear is also more white then the rear of the Whitetail.  Ear SizeLike the Whitetail is known for their tail, Mule deer are known for their ears. Mule deer have distinct ears, which are large in proportion to their body. The ears are also on more of an angle per say then those of the Whitetail, which are straighter. A Whitetail’s ears also are smaller in proportion to their bodies.  Using these distinctions in the field are quick and helpful in identifying the differences between the Mule and Whitetail deer. Hopefully on your next outing you will be able to put some of these characteristics to the test or share them with a beginner wanting to learn more about the main differences between Mule and Whitetail deer.  Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment
Look down..

The most important thing is to focus on the ground! You want to find other mushrooms or moss. This will lead you to more morels than any tree expert could ever find. The trees are important, but not as important as the soil. Morels can be found in only a few soil conditions, but they can be found under and around many different types of trees.

Soil comes first, trees second. When it comes to the trees, look for dying trees. Rarely will you find Morels when a tree is completely dead to the point of losing its canopy and all its bark.

You need a complete tree with decaying bark still present. Finding an area with many downed trees is good. Slippery Elm trees seem to be the most consistent. For more information on trees, visit the Trees tab.

Another good place to look is recently disturbed ground. Turkeys, for example, love mushrooms, so if you see turkey scratchings on the ground, chances are there are some mushrooms in the area.

Other disturbances such as excavation, tree clearing, and burn areas are a great place to start, provided that the soil is appropriate for morels. Disturbances tend to disrupt the connection between the fungus and the roots of the host tree, causing greater fruiting.

I have also had a lot of success on vegetated islands. Since they are surrounded by flowing water, many morel spores can be deposited there. If an island has hardwoods and is only accessible by boat, you’ve found the perfect, secluded spot to hunt. Chances are, you’ll be the first to forage there! Finally, the people who say Morel hunting is all about luck are completely mistaken.

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Understanding science, applying common sense, and putting yourself in the right areas will always make for a greater harvest. To fully maximize your haul, make sure you wear Fungeyes!

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Ethan Smith
Ethan Smith is a seasoned marine veteran, professional blogger, witty and edgy writer, and an avid hunter. He spent a great deal of his childhood years around the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Watching active hunters practise their craft initiated him into the world of hunting and rubrics of outdoor life. He also honed his writing skills by sharing his outdoor experiences with fellow schoolmates through their high school’s magazine. Further along the way, the US Marine Corps got wind of his excellent combination of skills and sought to put them into good use by employing him as a combat correspondent. He now shares his income from this prestigious job with his wife and one kid. Read more >>

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