Topic: My first "harvest"…

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- lyagooshka
  May 21, 2013 at 12:58 am
  
  Post count: 600
  #6442
  
  I had to go for a 4-day training weekend to Ft. Drum this past weekend. There was lots of training and we were busy, but there was a little time here and there to rummage around. Since I could not bring my bow 😥 (even if I could, I am not a NY resident and don’t have a license) I decided to “hunt” some mushrooms. I was somewhat inspired by the TBM “Tip of the Week” a few weeks ago with Dave “hunting” up some fungus. I didn’t think I would have any luck, especially with so little time, but I was wrong. Only about 20-30 yards, into the woods, my “hunt” became a “harvest”. It was actually pretty cool.
  
  I waited until the last day and took home a few. There was really no place to store them in the barracks, so I let them “mature”. I also had almost no idea what the heck a morel looks like. I looked enough information up online that I am pretty confident that these are, in fact, morels. But just in case, I cooked one in butter and ate it. I figure if I wake up tomorrow, they were morels and I can go on to cook something with them for the family. If not, my wife will probably throw them out. 😕
  
  Again, I was truly amazed as to how much fun I had. I was surprise how much like stalking it is (the slow movement and always surveying the area, not the noise part). Other than shooting my bow(s) on the 3D range, this “off-season” hunt proved something I would really like to do again. I might even try it here by me. I still feel pretty good about my first “harvest”. I just want to get a book to help me ID some of the edibles the woods have to offer. Any suggestions? Be well.
  
  Alex
  
  😀
- Etter1
  May 21, 2013 at 1:26 am
  
  Post count: 831
  #51323
  
  That is some unreal eating you found there. Good job.
- David Petersen
  Member
  May 21, 2013 at 1:42 am
  
  Post count: 2749
  #51333
  
  That’s a white, or blond, morel. Delicious as they are, blacks are even better … but harder to spot. Here in the West morels seem to grow in numbers only the year or two after a forest fire. Elsewhere, apparently, they are abundant every year. Good hunting!
- David Coulter
  Member
  May 21, 2013 at 2:40 am
  
  Post count: 2293
  #51373
  
  Good hunt, Alex. Maybe I’ll be brave enough to give them a try. dwc
- Bruce Smithhammer
  May 21, 2013 at 3:16 am
  
  Post count: 2514
  #51396
  
  I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve never had any luck hunting them from a blind, or a stand. They are strictly a spot-and=stalk species, imo. That said, getting within stickbow range of a wary pack of morels is one of hunting’s greatest accomplishments, surpassed only by how they taste sauteed with shallots and garlic, over a rare elk steak. 8)
- Alexandre Bugnon
  Member
  May 21, 2013 at 9:13 am
  
  Post count: 681
  #51669
  
  That’s great! I don’t even know if we have those in the Hudson Valley’s decimated hemlock forests. I should give it a try this weekend!
- wahoo
  Member
  May 21, 2013 at 12:05 pm
  
  Post count: 420
  #51801
  
  been out here – still too early. finally got some rain but need the warmth also. Great hunt those are trophies
- Ralph
  Moderator
  May 21, 2013 at 1:10 pm
  
  Post count: 2580
  #51858
  
  Around here they probably got thorns on them!
  
  Good find, good luck, good trip :lol::lol:. Hopefully not. Gotta eat right kind for sure.
- Mark Turton
  May 21, 2013 at 3:31 pm
  
  Post count: 759
  #51992
  
  Good result, there are some good apps available Ive just looked and found Fungitron – mushroom guide for android.
  
  Gives clear indication of what not to eat etc.
  
  Happy hunting, Mark.
- Goraidh
  May 22, 2013 at 3:12 am
  
  Post count: 101
  #52515
  
  Good find. See, it pays just getting out in the woods any time we can.
- smiley1
  Member
  May 22, 2013 at 11:44 am
  
  Post count: 102
  #52905
  
  Alex,
  
  Great find!!! Remember that spot because they will probably be back next year! I’ll bet they grow in the woods near your house although the season is coming to an end! I live about 45 minutes south of Allentown and go morel hunting locally every year-usually coincides with the start of spring gobbler season. When the birds aren’t cooperating I take advantage and look for morels. What a great way to spend a day in the spring woods. Didn’t find many this year but had some years when I found hundreds of them.
  
  Steve
- lyagooshka
  May 22, 2013 at 1:35 pm
  
  Post count: 600
  #52995
  
  Thanks all. Steve, I was thinking that myself. In upstate NY, it’s still a bit cooler than here. I figured I would just take a walk around and look. Just like up there, I don’t plan to find anything, but if I do, go me! It beats sitting in front of the tube all day (I actually disconnected my cable last month and have no plans of turning it back on).
  
  I cooked the mushrooms into a sauce. Turned out great. Poured it over chicken (since I have no venison in the freezer 😥 ) and enjoyed with the family. Can’t wait until the next “hunt”. Be well.
  
  Alex
  
  😀
- David Coulter
  Member
  May 25, 2013 at 11:55 pm
  
  Post count: 2293
  #56767
  
  Where do you look for these critters? Do they have a preferred habitat? thanks, dwc
- Jason Wesbrock
  Member
  May 26, 2013 at 12:52 am
  
  Post count: 762
  #56815
  
  That looks like a great find. Enjoy them.
- lyagooshka
  May 26, 2013 at 4:09 pm
  
  Post count: 600
  #57539
  
  DWC,
  
  I am still very much a novice so I may not have the best advice here. Look it up on YouTube for some helpful hints. I believe I saw somewhere that they grow on south facing slopes near elms. You can find them near other trees, but they seem to prefer elms. Basically, take a stick and “stalk” them. Move slow and remember what you are looking for. Unlike animals, they do not move, but like animals, they blend pretty well into the background of dry leaves. Also, they are sometimes hidden under the leaves (hence the need for the stick). As is written in a post above, the season is usually the few weeks right after last frost. It’s coming to an end now, but who knows. We’ve had some chilly nights recently. Also, look up false (great) morels versus blondes or greys. They are pretty different, but you should still familiarize yourself. And remember this mantra: when in doubt, throw it out. Hope this helps. Good luck and happy hunting. Be well.
  
  Alex
  
  😀
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