morels are here
when bumblebees + millipedes appear
+ tulip poplar's leaves are a squirrel’s ear
these are unproven tips for morel hunting in Blacksburg, Virginia + you might agree on some + disagree on others + that's okay
When?
+watch a movie if it's February+
+scroll down if it's April+
Disclaimer: This website contains no information about the edibility or toxicity of mushrooms.
Unsure? Don't eat it. This site is for entertainment only.
Morels seem to come in 3 waves
1) Black/greys come early. I’ve found them as early as April 5. They can be small, but my favorite!
2) Yellows seem to peak around April 28 and gone by May 10.
3) Peckerheads are late in the season and I don’t like them. Bah!
Bigger doesn’t mean better
Bigger morels could have more bugs
Hunting tips
"After you find your trees, then start looking at the ground."
When?
+ April 10 – May 10, with the peak around April 25
Wear?
+ Tick repellent
+ Blaze orange if it is hunting season
+ Boots if you are going in snake habitat
+ Small knife
+ Bag or backpack
Weather?
+ After 2+ days of good rain
+ Air temperature above 50 degrees
Environment?
+ Old-growth forest
+ Tulip poplar trees, locust trees, ash trees
+ Black soil with humus
+ Limestone Rocks
+ Moss and ferns
+ Sometimes morels are growing in your driveway's cracked pavement :)
"go slow & get low."
Harvesting
+ Don't yank out the roots. Keep your patch healthy by cutting your morels with a knife at its stem.
+ Slice open. Morels are always hollow inside.
+ Only take what you can eat that day. Avoid poaching your patch.
+ Recommend eating on the same day after cooking.
+ Soak morels to remove bugs.
+ Always cook!
You don’t need to travel to find morels.
They are common in Blacksburg and Radford, especially in areas with old forest growth
You're not alone
Go with a mushroom club for a foray in late April.