Morel's Yet?

[DanS]

I look for older stands of aspen or mature mixed stands that have fertile soil and a good layer of leaf duff on the ground. Watch for dead standing trees and make sure to check around these. Lower moist areas seem to be more productive but you never know where they will pop up from year to year.

[Dock Boy]

Is thier a chance of me finding any near Voyageurs National Park. If so I might head out and take a stroll through the woods and I'm still looking to buy some. Thanks

[troutmaster]

went out today and found about 3lbs all were grays and most were pretty small yet.

[doser]

Picked 45 greys last night. First 13 were small then the rest were three-four inches plus. Gnats were nuts last night after the rain too.

[Meaney]

Picture of my Dad, my daughter Jaden and I! about to enjoy some yummy grays!!

[Weed Shark]

I'm kind of new to morel picking. There is the rule, "If it's not hollow, don't swallow"...because false morels which are poisonous are not hollow. I have yet to find a "False morel". What is the material inside the mushroom like? I've read anything cotton-like is bad. I came across some "Half-free Morels" last year; I wont bother picking next time because there is alot of stem and they are trickier to distinguish from a "Varpa" (poisonous). I am largely self-taught. Just wish I would stumble on a "False Morel" once so I could see it.

[Weed Shark]

Quote:

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I'm kind of new to morel picking. There is the rule, "If it's not hollow, don't swallow"...because false morels which are poisonous are not hollow. I have yet to find a "False morel". What is the material inside the mushroom like? I've read anything cotton-like is bad. I came across some "Half-free Morels" last year; I wont bother picking next time because there is alot of stem and they are trickier to distinguish from a "Varpa" (poisonous). I am largely self-taught. Just wish I would stumble on a "False Morel" once so I could see it.

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Never mind. I looked it up.

[Curly]

What's the best way to clean them once you bring them home?

Thanks

[Dock Boy]

I just ordered some online what is the best way to keep them when I get them in the mail. Thanks in advance

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Does anyone have a picture of a false Morel that they can post??

[jonny_redhorse]

Took this pick of a "false morel"last spring /summer...hope it helps with IDing....

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Thanks for the Pic jonny, I will watch out for these.

For more info check out, mushroomexpert.c0m, or wikipedia.c0m, for both morel and false morel.

The false ones contain various amounts of a chemical poison and carcinogen, called "Gyromitrin", which can remain in the body, and accumulate over time causing severe kidney or liver damage, cancer, unto death.

Though people do eat them after boiling at least twice in water and dumping the water, the steam and fumes carry the chemical also, so it would need to be prepared outdoors, and some of the chemical remains.

They recommend not even traveling with them in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, or bringing them into any enclosed space, like your dwelling, where you will be breathing.

Raw consumption is especially hazardous, even in small amounts.

So...cumultive poison... wrecked organs... cancer...death...

not worth it!!!

[Scott K]

The effects sound as good as smoking. What supprises me is people know that you can boil them 2 times and then you can eat them!

[B. Amish]

I've found just a handful the last few days in my normal go to spots. Some of my spots haven't had anything. Most were very small, the only decent sized ones were growing in a stand of aspens that is shaded by some balsam firs to help keep the ground from drying out. Outside the shade, the leaves were crisp and crunchy, but inside the shaded area, conditions were primer. The combination of hot weather and lack of rain hasn't been good for morels, that's for sure.

[nate larson]

Well we had some pretty good luck today. Here are some pics:

[Grayfox]

My youngest and I went out tonight behind the house and checked a few of our hot spots from last year and found 44. I'm thinking of heading over by the St. Croix river tonight to maybe find a few more.

[harvey lee]

I finally scored with a nice batch of 60 grays and a couple yellows.

[Coach1310]

Never picked morels or ate them so you know where I come from. Does one color taste different than the other? Do you cook the whole thing or just part? What do you do with them all? Thanks. Good luck picking!!!

[swamptiger]

Hey Dock Boy, you don't need to buy morels online -- go to any of the tributaries of the Rainy River west and south of the Falls - Littlefork River, Bigfork River, Rapid River, Black River, and search in the hardwood and aspen stands next to the rivers and you will find morels. The Littlefork area and Pine Island State Forest are both good areas for mushrooms. Right now should be prime time...

[beer batter]

Coach, I'm also new to morel hunting but managed a few batches this season. I slice them in half lengthwise to clean them out. Ants seem to like hiding inside of those hollow things. Anyway, clean them out and cook them whole.

My favorite way is to put them in foil with butter, salt, and garlic. Cook them over an open fire or grill. Eat them as a side dish next to a juicy steak, a bottle of red wine, followed up by a cigar around the campfire. Now that's livin!

[JP Z]

From what I've been told we need a bunch more moisture for the Morels to be popping. This true???

[jeff127]

Well I went out to my last "go to" spot and found about 8 pounds of yellows in about 2 hours. All were found about 50 feet from standing water---- any closer or any farther and nothing. I had to leave several hundred as they were to dried up or moldy to pick. I think this is the end of the season in the west metro area since we have had very little rain lately.

This year was a tough one compared to last year as we(brother and I)picked approx 25 pounds this year vs 100+ last year. Now to focus on walleye fishing!

jeff

[Wayne Sieber]

Jeff - I agree that it is the end of the season - Dang! I went with my son to my best spots but only came up with a large number of dried up ones. Oh well, what can you do I guess - It was fun while it lasted (a lot shorter time frame of fun this year though...)

[jonny_redhorse]

not being a mushroom expert...just wondering what species of mushroom this is(took a pic of it a couple hours ago up here near Hibbing)...looks to be some sort of morel about 5"-6" tall....inch in diameter or so....maybe edible ...here's a photo

[harvey lee]

I believe its a Morchella Conica. At least that what it appears to be.

[jonny_redhorse]

Thanks Harvey!...since I only saw 1....thought I'd just let it be..not enough there to accompany a steak ...that's the first morel I've ever come across up here...then again....guess I never really looked

[KOTTKE]

was turkey hunting this weekend and found 3 large one all about 5" tall, that was it, is this the end for another year?

[MOBY RICHARD*]

Thats one weird looking one. It must have dried way up, but I have never seen one like that. Check out the pictures up a few posts, thats what they should look like, a lot more spongy on top, quite a bit wider than the stem.

It has been a dry year in most areas for Morels. Some may still be found in the Northern half of Minnesota, with the rain, if it stays very warm.

[crawdad]

I've seen those type too, Markham area, last week. I think they're gone by now, it was dried up looking. We're not lucky enough up here to get the nice ones like Southern MN....

[Jameson]

AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!! I found a few moldy, decayed morels yesterday. 6/6/07 These were found on private grounds that I look for morels on every year. I have never found morels on it before, despite my yearly searches. I think maybe I have been trying too early in this spot. (near Mora) I guess next year I've got one spot on this land that will hopefully produce again next year. I'll have to make a couple of trips to figure out the timing of the morels. It drives me crazy to think I had some morels grow on that land, and I didn't find them. AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!