It’s Time for Morel Mushroom Hunting!
April 17, 2024
Adriana Keeton, [email protected]
Boone Rawlings, 7, likes to hunt morels with his dad. He found this monster morel in the Mineral Springs Township area. He is the son of Brittney and Vincent Rawlings, of Cassville.
Spring, the time mushroom hunters scout the forest to find the most widely recognized edible mushroom in Missouri, the morel.
Most serious morel mushroom hunters have a “honey hole” they only share with close relatives, as it is widely a family affair to hunt and enjoy the bounty together.
For those new to morel mushroom hunting, morels have an elongated honeycombed cap, usually with black or brown ridges and yellowish pits in which cream colored spores are located. Sizes can vary between 2-12 inches in height and are hollow throughout. They grow on the ground in different habitats, near woodlands and river bottoms under hardwoods and conifers from March to early May.
Morels commonly appear after warm, moist weather with daytime temps in the 70’s and overnight temperatures in the 50’s on south and west facing slopes early in the season and north and east slopes later in the season. According to the Missouri Department of Conservations website, areas disturbed by flooding, fire or logging often produce loads of morels and most public lands in Missouri allow the collecting of mushrooms for personal use, but it is recommended to check regulations before collecting.
Though morels do not have the most appetizing appearance, they have a subtle texture and an earthy, woodsy and nutty taste. Most prefer to use an egg wash with spices and flour and fried. They can also be halved and stuffed with cream cheese, spices and wrapped with bacon and grilled as well for a tasty treat.
Anyone interested in more information on mushroom hunting in Misssouri, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation mushroom guide at https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/mo_nature/downloads/page/MushroomGuide.pdf.
Most serious morel mushroom hunters have a “honey hole” they only share with close relatives, as it is widely a family affair to hunt and enjoy the bounty together.
For those new to morel mushroom hunting, morels have an elongated honeycombed cap, usually with black or brown ridges and yellowish pits in which cream colored spores are located. Sizes can vary between 2-12 inches in height and are hollow throughout. They grow on the ground in different habitats, near woodlands and river bottoms under hardwoods and conifers from March to early May.
Morels commonly appear after warm, moist weather with daytime temps in the 70’s and overnight temperatures in the 50’s on south and west facing slopes early in the season and north and east slopes later in the season. According to the Missouri Department of Conservations website, areas disturbed by flooding, fire or logging often produce loads of morels and most public lands in Missouri allow the collecting of mushrooms for personal use, but it is recommended to check regulations before collecting.
Though morels do not have the most appetizing appearance, they have a subtle texture and an earthy, woodsy and nutty taste. Most prefer to use an egg wash with spices and flour and fried. They can also be halved and stuffed with cream cheese, spices and wrapped with bacon and grilled as well for a tasty treat.
Anyone interested in more information on mushroom hunting in Misssouri, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation mushroom guide at https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/mo_nature/downloads/page/MushroomGuide.pdf.
