Indiana Mushroom Hunting
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Indiana Fishing & Hunting
Indiana Mushroom
Hunting
Indiana. They
Beware: Ticks are bad. Wear lots of bug
repellent !
Found by rico. 03/25/2012 near Warsaw Indiana
OHIO OUTDOOR NOTEBOOK
By Laura Jones, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
In search of Ohio’s marvelous morels This article comes from the Ohio DNR. It is a really good article and should apply to Indiana mushroom hunting as well.
One of the most popular spring rituals for Ohio outdoorsmen and women is the hunt for wild turkeys. But coinciding with this annual tradition is another seasonal favorite the quest for edible wild mushrooms. Each spring, thousands of fungi hunters are inspired to scour Ohio’s forest floors and fields for these delectable hidden gems. Depending on where you live in the state, mid-April through May is prime mushroom time, and while several species of Ohio mushrooms are fit for the dinner plate, the most passionately pursued is the morel.
Morels which are actually the fruit of a mushroom plant growing underground are cone-shaped and sponge-like in appearance. They grow anywhere from two- to twelve-inches tall and have a whitish stalk. Unlike other mushrooms, morels are hollow inside a quality that helps distinguish them from the similar-looking “false morel,” which is poisonous. Similar to wild turkeys, morels are masters of blending in with their environment. Though you certainly don’t need a degree in botany to find them, you can improve your chances of discovery by having sharp eyes, a slow pace and lots of patience.
Additionally, successful morel hunters need to understand the habitat in which these delicious earthen treats grow. Morels generally thrive in moist soil and can be found growing near decaying logs, on live or downed trees, beneath layers of leaf litter or within the protective shelter of leafy fern fronds.
Janet Sweigart, a tree farmer in Hardin County, has been hunting mushrooms for at least 15 years. Her favorite place to poke around for morels is near recently dead or dying elm trees. “Morels can often be found several feet in all directions from the tree,” she says. “And if you find one, keep searching as there will probably be more in the vicinity. ”Weather has everything to do with the appearance of spring mushrooms, including morels, according to Sweigart. “Warmth and moisture are of prime importance,” she explains, adding that it needs to be fairly warm both night and day for a week or so before morels begin pushing above ground. “If it has been a dry spring, morels are likely to appear about five days after a good soaking rain,” she notes. Sweigart watches for other natural signs to indicate that morels are popping up in Ohio’s woodlands, including apple blossoms in bloom and may apples (woodland wildflowers) opening to the umbrella stage. “When this happens, it’s time to grab the mushroom basket and head for the woods,” she says.Accurate mushroom identification can mean the difference between a delicious meal and a possible trip to the emergency room. Never consume a mushroom unless you are 100 percent positive that it’s edible. Sweigart’s motto: “when in doubt, throw it out!” is sage advice. A good mushroom field guide, featuring clear photos and detailed descriptions, is essential for anyone getting started in this earthy pursuit. Particular attention should be given to any points that can help you tell the difference between edible and poisonous mushrooms.
Ultimately, the best way to learn is at the heels of an experienced mushroom hunter. If you don’t know of any, the Mushroom Society of Ohio is a good place to start. Their web site denison.edu/collaborations/ohmushroom features general information about native mushrooms, and has a list of field trips, which are excellent opportunities for anyone wanting to know more about finding fungi.No special permits or licenses are required when hunting mushrooms in the Buckeye State, but never go onto private property without first receiving permission. All of Ohio’s 20 state forests, which encompass more than 185,000 acres in 21 counties, allow individuals to collect mushrooms. Many state parks also permit hunting these much-sought after delicacies, but special rules or restrictions are likely to apply, so check with the park office before venturing out.Those in search of mushrooms should be mindful that the state’s wild turkey hunting season is open through May 15 in all of Ohio’s 88 counties. Legal turkey hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to noon. For safety reasons, mushroom hunters are encouraged to wear blaze orange while in the woods during those times. Mushroom hunting is a great springtime activity in so many ways. There’s the thrill of discovery and the reward of a tasty dinner treat it’s also a perfect time to enjoy the many spring wildflowers blanketing Ohio’s woodlands and fields.
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Mushroom Hunting
By Anastasia B
When the time of the year is appropriate, if one steps in almost any forest she / he will more than likely notice a great amount of mushrooms there. Some of them aren't going to be edible mushrooms. The best in addition to most delicious edible wild mushrooms disguise themselves away.
They conceal from insects, game and in addition humans.
They'll use any sort of feasible mean to cover up themselves - by coloring their caps into colors of fallen leaves or old broken or cracked bushes and branches, they hide amongst the grass, beneath the foliage and old fallen trees and shrubs. Therefore, one needs to be diligent and furthermore persistent. That's called mushroom hunting!
The fresh early morning atmosphere really helps to truly feel mushrooms scent, sun rays provide positive lightening for finding mushrooms, and the early morning forest peace and quiet...oh, it's so peace and quiet you are able to hear your own thoughts. Your entire body focuses - the nose sniffs the air carefully, eyes look carefully on the ground trying to find the familiar mushroom shapes and sizes, through the help of a wooden stick hands help to move branches of trees, bushes, leaves on the ground. You will be stepping bit by bit to give yourself opportunity to analyze every single inch of the ground around you. Basically only patient and careful person is successful. Look and you are going to come across it! Just what cheer and glee you're feeling when all your struggles pay back and you locate an edible mushroom! Once you make sure that this mushroom is absolutely an edible one - you will be twice as happy.
The wild nature gives us more than enough possibilities to enjoy the healthiest food there is. Therefore, wild edible mushrooms, forest berries and wild plants always have their place in our everyday diet. When the season comes I can't wait to get to the forest to look for my favorite wild edible mushroom Boletus edulis (known as Porcini, Cep, King Bolete and dozen other names)
Mushroom hunting is certainly not an easy task but as soon as you succeed you are looking for more, you get this itching need to find them once more and then you learn to seriously like these mornings inside a forest. And when new season comes you can not just sit at home, you will be out hunting for mushrooms again.
My name is Anastasia and I am a great fan of wild nature food. I have been born above the Arctic Circle where the climate is cold. I've spent my childhood in a little town located between lakes and forests and surrounded by hills. So, very early the forest became my best friend.
Knowledge on identification and preparation of wild edible mushrooms, berries and plants was passed down through generations in our family. My mother thought me and I will share this knowledge with you. Perhaps my experience will inspire you to enter this wonderful world and encourage yourself to make a first step in getting closer with the nature.
I am writing a personal blog about wild edible mushrooms at http://www.wildmushroombasket.com
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