How to Hunt for Morel Mushrooms in Ohio

Morel mushroom hunting is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors.

When spring arrives in Ohio, you might hear about two popular traditions: hunting for wild turkeys and hunting for morel mushrooms. Morel mushrooms are a popular, edible mushroom that are somewhat of a delicacy, but they can be hard to find. The fun, however, lies in the hunt and the satisfaction comes from finding what Ohio's Department of Natural Resources calls a "hidden gem".

Instructions

1. Go morel hunting in mid-April through May, as that is primary mushroom growth time, according to Ohio's DNR. Going in prime time will improve your odds of finding a morel or two.

2. Learn the difference between "good" morels and "bad" morels. Morel mushrooms have a closed cap, a hollow center and a large cap that is typically bigger than the stem. Other mushrooms resemble morels but can be poisonous to eat. See the picture posted on Ohios DNR's website and read about the difference between mushrooms in a field guide.

3. Travel into the woods and look around dead or dying elm trees deep in the forest. In Ohio, morels have been found in Hardin County and Laurelville, to name a couple.

4. Find an experienced morel mushroom hunter and head out into the woods with him or her. Ohio's DNR suggests learning to hunt mushrooms from an experienced hunter. Hunting these fungi takes patience, experience and a little luck. They grow throughout Ohio's wilderness, so hunting them simply involves knowing what they look like and heading out into the woods to find them.

References

• Ohio Department of Natural Resources: Ohio's Morel Mushrooms
• Morel Mushroom Hunting: Morel Mushroom Report

Resources

• The Great Morel: Morel Mushroom Links