There’s nothing better than freshly harvested morels.

1. Timing is critical

The key is to have a week or so with daytime temperatures in the 60s and nighttime temperatures in the upper 40s. This is when the ground temperature reaches the low to mid 50s, which is the optimum growing condition for morels. Some rain to moisten the soil is required, but it’s a myth that you need the sun to really “pop” them. Some of my most productive seasons have been cloudy, rainy springs. Besides, everyone should experience mushroom hunting in the rain. The fresh smell of the woods, the sound of the rain on the Mayapples, the overwhelming feeling that you are one with the woods—absolutely nothing better!

2. Don’t forget technology

With a growing season that lasts only a few weeks and a start date that can vary as much as four weeks, it’s very easy to miss the season altogether. If you want to be sure not to miss the “pop,” use technology to your advantage. Many websites have morel sightings maps (including TheGreatMorel.com). Use the sightings map to track the progression of morels from the warmer climates to the cooler states. In the U.S., morel mushrooms are found in abundance from middle Tennessee northward into Michigan, Wisconsin and Vermont, and as far west as Oklahoma. By regularly visiting the sightings map you can track the progression from the southern states through the northern states. Many of the sightings maps even allow you to expand into county view to really pinpoint the start of the season in your area. The sightings map can also heighten the anticipation of the new mushroom season. Watching the sighting pins move closer to you each day is like a child opening the window each day on the Christmas calendar in anticipation of Santa!

3. Tune your eyes prior to the hunt

It’s called imprinting. Have you noticed how hard it is to find that first mushroom, but after finding it, you start seeing more of them? Many mushroom hunters leave the first one in place while they search all around it for others. Whether they know it or not, they are training their eyes and brain to block out the background and detect the mushrooms hidden within the brush and leaves. They are imprinting. The problem with this method is you may pass over many mushrooms before finding that first one, but you don’t have to pass those first ones over! You can imprint before starting the hunt. Here’s how. Some hunters will tell you to stare at photos of mushrooms, but there’s a better way. Morel decoys! Decoys are carved or cast replicas of morel mushrooms. You can find morel decoys molded from real morel mushrooms, which make them extremely realistic. A few weeks before mushroom season you can have a friend or spouse hide morel decoys in your yard or even about the house. Your eyes (and brain) will get used to detecting them. This method can really help you find that first ’shroom!

If you want to learn more about morel hunting, look for the full article in the March Issue of MidWest Outdoors magazine, available the first full week of March on the newsstand or by subscribing on our website.