I've been out shrooming as often as possible... which means I get to have a lot of fun in my truck! Unfortunately it was a pretty poor year for morels in my immediate area, although I heard they did well up north and to the west of me. Good harvest or bad, I love it. I Love cruising down the trails looking for good hunting spots... watching the Gobblers strut... busting up the odd covey of ruffed grouse (and changing my underpants afterwards
) And just being out there. My FJ is a big part of the things I enjoy.
I thought I should include a photo of one type of false morel that is potentially very dangerous. Members of the Genus Gyromitra, commonly called Beefsteak Morels or Brain Mushrooms should be avoided by the novice and experienced shroomer alike. Some eat this mushroom with impunity, but they are taking a gamble. These mushrooms contain gyromitrin, a potent toxin that can be fatal. Some claim that the poison can be boiled out, but there are cases of people becoming violently ill by inhaling the toxic fumes. The first photo is of the false morel Gyromitra esculenta. The second pic is a true black morel, Morchella angusticeps. As you can see, confusion is difficult. The only false morel that looks like a true morel is Verpa bohemica. They are eaten by some, but can cause mild loss of muscle coordination, confusion, and the squirts.... but they aren't dangerous. Sorry I don't have a pic of a Verpa. Some of you asked for advice on where to find morels. Pic three is of Trillium flowers. If you see these flowers just starting to bloom, there is a good chance you'll find some morels there. Dead or dying elm and ash are good spots to look too.
Look hard at the fourth pic... there is a little wood**** chick perfectly hidden in the duff. The mother burst up just feet in front of me and flew about fifteen feet and proceeded to flop around like she had a broken wing. This means you are near a nest or chick. She is trying to divert your attention and draw you away from her chicks/eggs. I knew I was probably close to stepping on the chick so I stepped very carefully and sure enough there was a baby. These are the little things that my rig helps me enjoy.
The last two pics are of some nice oyster mushrooms. These are a good, safe edible for beginning shroomers. Dead or dying trees and fallen timber. A large number of tree species host these shrooms, and they are wide spread and common. Farmed oyster mushrooms can now be purchased at many grocery stores. The wild ones are better though.... and a whole lot more fun to get.
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