Spring is a magical time for Oklahoma outdoor enthusiasts when warmer temperatures signal blooming redbuds, wildflowers and great fishing for bass and crappie. While many hunters are gearing up for turkey season, others are preparing for a lesser known, but equally exciting time of year; morel mushroom season!! It’s become quite popular in Oklahoma to forage the morel mushroom. This “Christmas tree” cone-shaped fruit is considered to be a rare delicacy, bursting with flavor.
WHERE CAN MORELS BE FOUND?
One thing we know for sure, the hotspots where morels are found, quickly become top secret for many mushroom enthusiasts, so we were grateful to get some tips from Marty Lee who tells us conditions will be right for morels to grow once we get plenty of rain and temps warm up to 60s and 70s during the day. Another important factor is for ground temperatures to be between 45-50 degrees.
Lee’s advice for finding morels is to “just go outside and start looking because they could be anywhere! You might find them in your backyard, city park or nearby woods.”
We also learned of an unspoken rule amongst morel hunters that it is considered impolite to ask where the morels were found! To avoid making this faux pas, you can simply ask, “In what county were these found?!” We thought it was interesting to learn that many of the secret spots have been passed down from generation to generation, thus the covert nature of finding the best places to hunt!
WHERE CAN I FIND MORELS?
If you were to purchase morel mushrooms, they can be quite expensive at $8 per pound. You could also experience this delicacy at one of the new, upscale restaurants in Oklahoma City, Nonesuch OKC, where they often create dishes with morel mushrooms foraged by Chefs Colin Stringer and Paul Wang.
Morel Mushroom Hunting in Oklahoma!! A Great Start to the Season! #morels #mushrooms
Are Morel Mushrooms poisonous?
Morel mushrooms are a highly prized edible mushroom that can be found in Oklahoma. They have a nutty, earthy flavor and a meaty texture. However, it is important to note that there are poisonous look-alikes, such as the false morel (gyromitra), which can cause liver and kidney failure due to the presence of a neurotoxin.
When will Morel sightings be posted?
Sightings will be posted daily during prime morel season. The Great Morel sighting maps are a great resource for monitoring the progression of the morel mushroom and when one might begin their foraging adventure. New and improved morel sightings map along with historical maps to help monitor and watch for the morel coming to a woods near you.
Where do morels grow?
Morels are found in oak, hickory or eastern red cedar among fallen leaves and debris. The underground perennial morel mycelium can build up nutritional stores in small tuber-like organs called sclerotia and will produce the most morels during a wet and warm spring.
What are the Morel sighting maps?
The morel sighting maps are a great way to help each other out a little. Morel hunters often refer to the maps as the morel progression maps, and they have always been a favorite. The Great Morel is often asked “Is it time yet?” or “Are there morel sightings in my neck of the woods?”