First Sightings of the 2004 Season

Last update:

Thursday , July 8, 2004. 1 PM CDST

Email your reports to Morel Mania

 

a documentary on the illinois state morel mushroom hunting championship

http://www.morelfilm.com

 click here to go back to sightings main page

 

The First Sighting of the year was from California on 02/17/04

Thanks to all reporters, we obviously couldn't do this without you. The success of the sightings page overwhelms us. Our purpose is to be educational and we're learning more than anyone! If there's anything we can do to improve it, let us know.

As a public service we post all reports of morels sightings that have been reported to us and leave them year-round as an unofficial, unscientific, undocumented study of the arrival of our favorite fungi. For now, please email reports, questions comments, or answers to Morel Mania If usage warrants, we'll turn it into a bulletin board with instant posting. Currently messages are posted by state in the order we receive them. We don't post complete names or email addresses because we don't want you receiving unwanted email from some group sending junk email (or following you into the woods!)

Please DON'T send your reports in ALL CAPS.

Also, without giving away your GPS coordinates, try to give us a hint of location within your state - for example: north, south, county, nearest city, etc.

Webdude's comments in green. Email us: Morel Mania

We' get a lot of reports with no state mentioned. Usually we figure most of them out. If we've guessed wrong, let us know. Please help us by putting your state somewhere in the message. If you don't see your report, check the Unknown. To those of you that have forwarded pictures, thank you, but it's all we can do right now to keep the information updated. We'll post the pitures as time allows.

If you don't see your report, It may be because you sent it in ALL CAPS. Or, you didn't mention the state and it is in the Unknowns Or, we just haven't gotten to it yet.

Pictures from the 2002 Illinois State Morel Mushroom Hunting Championship & Spongy Fungi Festival

States in BOLD have reports

AL, AK, Alberta, AR, AZ British Columbia, CA, CO, CT, England, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, Manitoba, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, Ontario, OR, PA, Quebec, Saskatchewan, SC, SD, TN, TX, Turkey, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, Unknown

 NEW! Progress Maps by Dr. Michael Kuo of mushroomexpert.com

Dr. Kuo uses information from the "Sightings" page and several morel discussion boards to compile weeky progess maps


Alabama:

Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 22:42:33 -0500. Subject: morels in alabama. went out this afternoon in extreme northern alabama and found 31 little blacks.  this is the first find of the season for me.  bring em on!!!!! harold in tennessee

 


Alaska:

From: Dammeyer Family Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 14:08:33 -0800. Subject: Found on Sunday May 16, 2004 in Soldotna, Alaska. On Sunday May 16, 2004 in Soldotna, Alaska. Found these 2 in our front yard semi-shaded. We find them here every year. Great site!

 


Arizona:

 


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Alberta, Canada:

From: Darron C. Sent: Wed, 2 Jun 2004 10:34:54 -0600. Subject: Morels in Alberta. Found some morels 10 miles south of Grande Prairie, Alberta, June 1, 2004 in Aspen woods with occasional birch and spruce.

From: Dennis V. Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2004 07:02:04 -0600. Subject: Sightings. Hi Folks, The morel season is in full flight in the SW corner of Alberta after last years forest fires. The mushroom buyers are on hand and from all indications the crop is plentiful. I have found enough for my own use for the up coming year.

 


Arkansas:

Sent: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 08:05:41 -0600. Subject: Arkansas Morel sighting. On Sunday March 21, 2004 found 19 blacks. We haven't had as much rain as usual. They were found in Arkansas by a spring. The mushroom mom

From: "Jim H." Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2004 09:38:20 -0600. Subject: Arkansas Morels! Found 13 small grays in a yard in Harrison, AR on March 27, 2004. Hope this is a banner year!!!! See brothers Larry, Denny and Don. Beat you again! JH

From: Edmund R. Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 16:23:27 -0800 (PST). Subject: Arkansas Sightings. March 29, 2004 - found (37) 2-3" blacks/greys? this afternoon, south of Siloam Springs in the Ozark Nat'l Forest along the Illinois River. They were on the end of a long, south-facing ridge.

Sent: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 15:37:11 -0600. Subject: AR - first morels. First of the year for us...just a little SE of Harrison, AR on Saturday, March 27. I found 4 small gray morels under ash trees and my husband found a large black morel in the woods on top of a ridge. Let the hunting begin! -CK

Sent: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 09:50:22 -0600. Subject: Arkansas morels. Looked at lots of ash and other trees before finding 6 small grey morels at the base of an ash tree on a sun-warmed ridge top 15 miles north of Clinton, Arkansas, Van Buren County. Thats about a week or so earlier than I expected to see them but the weather has been warmer and wetter than usual. Red buds were just starting to bloom in that area. Jerry L

Sent: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 09:11:19 -0600. Subject: Arkansas morels. Yesterday, Mar. 30, I found 18 small morels at Arkansas Post, Arkansas Co. in a damp area around sweet gum trees. Spring is a lot more advanced than what I saw in the Ozarks around Clinton this past weekend. Looked around a lot of ash trees here also but found no morels. Jerry L

From: a andrews Sent: Mon, 05 Apr 2004 06:24:35 -0700. Subject: Arkansas Morels. Found 2 small grays while turkey hunting on April 3. NE Arkansas

From: redwing1. Sent: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 22:05:02 -0500. Subject: MOREL SIGHTINGS ARKANSAS. On March 21, 2004 I found 18 small blacks in northwest Arkansas. We have found morels every day and now are starting to see tan ones. We have picked 638 to date.

Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 09:48:24 -0500. Subject: AR Morel Find Near Siloam Springs. The wife and I have been looking each weekend since the 26th of March. Although the hunting conditions in our area look to be nearly perfect the finding has been another story. We went out for a couple of hours after work on April 7th and found a single solitary yellow Morel. It was a beauty, about 3 inches tall, but hardly anything to brag about. I have been using this site for a few years to gauge "when" is the best time to start looking in our area, and to document when we have found the tasty little morsels. ~Scott

From: Joe A. Sent: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 07:18:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: 4 found. I found 4 black morels on 4/8/04 near Highland Ar. and sure were tasty. Going out today to look some more.

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 07:58:51 -0500. Subject: Arkansas morels. Started finding tiny blacks on March 21, 2004. It rained again last night. To date we are now finding tans with a total mushroom count of 638. Happy Hunting! The Arkansas Shroomer.

Sent: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 20:09:03 -0500. Subject: Arkansas Morel Pictures. We've found 766 so far this year. Here are some photos. The first ones were sighted on March 21, 2004. Karen the Arkansas Shroomer

 


British Columbia, Canada:

Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 08:57:11 -0700. Subject: blacks. Thought you'd like to know, but we found 10 lbs exactly of blacks around Hope, British Columbia in a half day! May 15, 2004. Happy hunting. I'm going back for more! Emily

Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 08:40:12 -0600. Subject: Morels. Monday May 17,2004----- Found approximately 10 pounds of black morels near Cranbrook British Columbia but they are small. Several out hunting them in recent burn areas and getting a few. A Local Yokel.

Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 10:31:26 -0700. Kelowna area BC Canada. Black Morels some yellow ones in burn area 20 lbs in an hour I believe that to be awesome picking G from BC

 

 


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California:

Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 00:25:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: Sighting for 2004. Leroy is out in Oceanside, California. Called today said he found 65 blacks yesterday. Growing in shredded bark used for flower beds and walkways. He tells me that people out there don't seem to be aware of what they are walking past and stepping on.What a shame!!!............Ryn back in Michigan . Congrats to Leroy, this is the first sighting reported for 2004!

Sent: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 21:12:14 -0800. Subject: California findings. I found the first morels in Corona, Ca in my new landscaping on Feb 1. Picked 60 today. I am floored to find them here. I came from Wyoming originally and we used to pick them in May. We always got washtub-ful pickings every year as a kid. Had not seen them for more that thirty years and to find them in my own yard absolutely blew me away. Wish I knew where the bark mulch came from. Leroy M. Corona Calif.

Sent: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 14:18:08 -0800. Subject: CA find About the same time Leroy found his black morels in Oceanside (Feb. 17, 2004), a huge one popped up in my yard in San Diego. I live in Tierrasanta, about 7-10 miles inland, due east of Pacific Beach. The mushroom is probably growing from wood chips/root grindings of a star gum that had to be removed from the same yard about a year ago. Wish I knew what to do to encourage an epidemic in my yard! I knew what it was right away, being a native Buckeye. Georganna H.

Sent: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 19:37:18 -0800. Subject: Beautiful Morels. Today, March 1, 2004, my husband brought home a half bushel of morels he found growing in bark at the job site where he works in Lodi California. His co workers tipped up their noses and asked what he was going to do with them. They wouldn't of said that if they had come to dinner last night. :)Therese

Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 10:36:10 -0800 (PST). Subject: Re: 2004 Sighting. Dear Tom, Leroy was very pleased to hear about his sighting post. We are both very grateful to have the sighting section on your web page. It is very useful to study the differences between years and watch as they begin popping and working their way north each year towards Michigan. I have included a photo from last year that you might find amusing. It was my attempt to be creative to let em get a little bigger......Ryn

Sent: Thu, 4 Mar 2004 16:38:47 -0800. Subject: Morel find. found several yellow morels in Redding California today. From Michael. it is still a little cool but the weather is warming

From: rbnmteddy. Sent: Fri, 5 Mar 2004 17:22:30 -0800. Subject: morrels found. I found 25 gray morrels today in Chula Vista, Ca. They were growing in tree bark mulch that was used in flower beds. I found them while I was waiting in an ATM drive up. I looked down at the flower bed and there they were. The other cars in line thought I was crazy when I jumped out of my truck and started picking them. They had no idea what I was doing.

Sent: Sat, 20 Mar 2004 18:04:57 EST. Subject: california sighting. These are burn mushrooms, picked N.E. of San Fransisco, 3-20-04. Just a few, just starting. Need Rain! Happy Hunting, Pappion333

Sent: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 21:40:31 -0700 Subject: California fruiting Sighting (barely): In spite of an absurdly dry spring, a few of our fungal friends are popping up in the Sierra Nevadas of California. Easter Day, after all the eggs were found, we embarked on the real hunt, which yielded my first morels of the year. Location, Nevada County, CA, between 4,500 feet and 5,000 feet elev. They were exceedingly sparse in a usually-good area, and very small. This photo is of the largest, with a quarter for scale. Sam Fate L. Nevada Co., CA. 4-11-04

Sent: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 18:47:03 -0700. Subject: early s'rooms. Tom, Tuolumne County California, today I found a nice group of morels at about 5000'. A little earlier, (ten days) than past years, but the weather has been warm and we had a little rain. Good luck to mushroom hunters large and small. Leni

Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2004 20:18:42 -0700. Subject: Musrooms in California. Greg P. June 12, 2004, Santa Barbara, CA. I went to my office today where they just put down a new flower bed of wood mulch. In a small area not more than 20 feet from the buildings were lots of morels. Many were dried up but the ones under the new flowers were still fresh. We brought home 158 and have already had some fried up. Here is a picture. Being from Indiana I would never have dreamed to find them here in California or in mid June.

From: Tony G. Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2004 14:28:01 -0700. Subject: Morel in Inland Empire. Hi, Yesterday I was just leaving a store in a community outside Claremont, Ca when I spotted a beautiful morel in some wood chips surrounding a small tree. I picked it and we plan to enjoy it tomorrow night. I will never forget the fun of hunting for 'sponge mushrooms' north of Elkhart, Indiana, when we moved there from Chicago in the sixties. Thanks to your website, I guess I have been subconsciously looking for them. Hope to find many more.


Colorado:

Sent: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 06:58:54 -0500. Subject: Morels. I found eight nice size blacks on the 28th of March, and the next time l found 21,again,nice size, this was after a rain the day before.I am located in Southeast Mo. Cape Girardeau, Co. I went again April 4 and only found 2 small blacks. Do you think it is because of really low humidity and no rain? And will they start again after a rain hopfully? I know it's difficult to predict these little rascals but would appreciate your opinion. Thanks, Jean

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 20:44:00 -0600. Subject: Sightings - Colorado. At last! The first morels of the season! With the ground in the Denver area warming up in March, I thought that we would have an early fruiting this year. As is often the case, moma nature tossed a couple of cold fronts at us and everything slowed down. I have been checking a couple of favorite areas along creeks and under narrow-leaf cottonwood almost daily (between snow-storms!) with no luck until today. My favorite areas are still not producing, but when I cut across a field I spotted eight nice sized yellows right there in the middle of the field. There was a small dead cottonwood tree there as well. I even scored some wild asparagus. I will add this location to my memory banks. My guess is that the field gets more sunshine than my usual spots and that the ground has been warmer there. I expect to get finds in my favorite areas within the next 5-8 days. Had a wild asparagus and morel omelet for dinner tonight. Yum! Good forays all! William N.

Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 18:42:53 EDT. Subject: Yellow Morels in my Yard. Denver Colorado. Greetings, just stumbled upon your great website. Thanks. I can report Morels growing in my backyard here within the city of Denver Colorado. My yellow Morels are up to 15 cm's of Cap. I was very amazed to find them. I don't recall seeing them ever before in the yard. Scott F. S.

From: John C. Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 14:05:23 -0400. Subject: Colorado morels. Sad day in CO! Went to my spot near a waterway in Boulder that by this time the past few years had already been producing. I think the heat wave we had in March might have roasted the spores right in the soil. 80's and dry is forecast for the rest of the week with possible rain at night. I'll give it another week before I mourn a lost season...

Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 20:06:55 EDT. Subject: colorado morels. Found 10 large---31/2 to 51/2---golden morels yesterday along the Platte River under large leaved cottonwoods. The soil is very wet after several recent snow and rain storms, but today is very wram and dry with same predicted for next 5 days. These were all prime and located in a warm, sunny, but protected spot. Ellen J.

Date: Tue, 25 May 2004 22:06:55 -0600. Subject: Black Morels - Colorado. It has been an interesting year for morels in Colorado. The yellow morel did not produce big numbers this year and their fruiting started late and ended about 'on time'. My usual spots in Boulder either did not produce at all, or someone else got to them first. I did have decent finds of yellows in grass (next to narrow leaf cottonwood), mostly in places that I had checked, but did not produce well in the past. I started finding Black Morels on May 15th in aspen stands at 7,000 ft. By may 22nd they were producing at 8, 000 ft. to 8,700 ft. but not yet at 9,000 ft. As with the yellows, my best spots did not produce well, but I am now finding them in areas that had just one or two blacks in the past. This year, look where pasque flower is in bloom and aspen leaves are between the size of a dime and a quarter. I'm not having much luck where aspen leaves are the size of a half dollar and larger. William W.


Connecticut:

Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 16:32:21 -0400. Subject: Yellow Morels in CT. Ridgefield, CT. On May 1st found 15 yellow morels at the base of 3 old apple trees in our back yard. Nice way to start the month! -Linda

From: EDWIN W. Date: Fri, 7 May 2004 17:19:05 -0700 (PDT). Subject: morel mania. I have found some in Danielson Ct. on 05/06/04

Date: Sun, 9 May 2004 14:27:59 GMT. Subject: Conneticut reporting in! Found these lovelies popping up in tight proximity in our very damp mossy, shaded front yard in New Canaan, CT, alongside a mulched (landscaped) area, day after rain hit us. best, P-


England:

Sent: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 23:50:22 +0100. Subject: Re Mysterious Mush room. I belive this is a Morel mushroom. i live in Sussex England and found it in my garden thuis evening. What can you tell me about this strange beast? Moira. Hello Moira, I believe what you have is a morchela semilibra other wise known as the half-free morel.

Dear Tom, It certainly looks a lot like that one but I couldn't be sure the mushroom I found is definitely the morchela semilibra Firstly the cap is larger than the stem part and the stem is smooth and pasta coloured Also my mushroom looks to be much bigger. I am sending anoyther picture. Cheers Moira. I'm reasonably sure it is a semilibera as it has true pits and ridges on the cap, stem is hollow, and the cap overhangs the stem. The only alternative is that it is a morchella elata (black morel). I could tell more if more of the stem were present, as typically the stem is much longer in relation to the cap than the other morchellas. Or, if you were to slice the mushroom in half to view the interior.


Florida:


Georgia:

Sent: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 05:10:08 EST. Subject: morel finds. My first Georgia Morel of the season was found today, a small 1 1/2" Morchella deliciosa. It is so dry here, but they are trying! I received several reports today, including two of my Georgia shroom buddies, with some results as well. The season is starting to get pumped up! A photo is attached. Chris M.

Sent: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 15:16:15 -0500. Subject: Georgia Morels. Hey Tom, Found my first 3 black morels of the season here in Middle Georgia. Small one's only about 2-3 inches tall. It has been very dry conditions, and pretty warm, high 70's lower 80's. I found them near large ash trees on a slope. Hoping for more rain this week. The cherry blossoms are in full swing and everything is coming to life. Jody

Sent: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 08:04:14 EST. Subject: morels. Tom, I wanted to let you know, that despite the dry weather, some of us over here in Georgia, have found a few! Just a few! It will not be a good year here so I look forward in traveling northward. -Chris M

 


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Hawaii:

 


Idaho:

Sent: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 11:30:43 -0700. Subject: Idaho Sightings. Saturday, April 10, 2004: Finally found 11 small yellows poking out from a west facing hill in North Idaho. Temps have been high 60's in the days and low 40's at night. Spring rain hitting this week and starting to warm up! Michelle

From: studley. Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 14:50:58 -0600. Subject: has anyone reported morel sightings in eastern idaho yet?

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 11:26:53 -0500. Subject: Idaho. Hi, I was wondering if perhaps you knew of any close places where I can morel hunt here in the Boise Idaho area? My husband and I hunted up in Yakima Washington and found so MANY! It was great fun. I miss hunting them. Thanks. Debra K. M.


Illinois:

From: "Mikey" Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 15:54:55 -0600 (Central Standard Time). Subject: SHROOMS! I found three black's today,in Hardin County, near the Eichorn area,They were growing on the edge of a gravel road,They were growing out of the gravel/dirt,too small to find any in the leaves. Mike,Elizabethtown, IL.

Sent: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 11:35:47 -0600. Found a handful of approx. 1" blacks in the southern tip of Illinois (across the Ohio River from Kentucky) today. They were under some leaves while raking behind the shed...Hope this is a sign of a good year! Robert L. - Metropolis, IL

Phone report: Cliff from Salem, IL called to let us know he found 15 small black morels within the city limits on Sat., 03/27/04.

From: Andrew K. Sent: Sun, 28 Mar 2004 18:12:15 -0600. Subject: morel find. Found 15 gray/black mushrooms on March 28, 2004 near Effingham, Illinois. Size ranged from .75" to 2.5" tall.

From: dwight w. Sent: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 19:32:12 -0800. Subject: mushrooms found. On 29 March, 2004 at 4:40pm outside of Girard, Illinois which is in Macoupin County, I went mushrooming hunting as I always do in the spring. I got my old trusty mushrooming stick out of the corner of the garage that I always take with me. My wife calls it my lucky mushroom stick. Not really expecting to find anything, I took off to trust my luck and my sticks luck. After tramping through the woods for about twenty minutes lo and behold there at the base of the dead elm was a sight that I had been hoping for but hadn't really expected to see. There were two little gray mushrooms. Looking around some more while standing as still as i could for fear of stepping on any more, I found two more. There were three about the size of a nickel and one about the size of a large pencil eraser. That was all that I found although I went to some more spots that I usually find grays. I guess that it is kind of early but they are on the way. Get ready for what I hope is going to be a good year.

From: John and Rosie Sent: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 09:23:08 -0600 (CST). Subject: Shrooms!!!! We found 19 blacks on 03/25/04 and 39 on 03/27/04. We live in Southern Il. near Shawnee National Forest. I also found 19 tiny morels yesterday, they are in someones back yard here in town. It will be hard not to pick them when they get bigger. Hell it was hard to leave them there yesterday. Good Luck fellow shroomers.

From: jonesy Sent: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 12:45:47 -0600. Subject: too early! Well here in East Alton ,Il its still too early. Mayapples are just popping, I cant help looking anyway. Maybe by next week or so. Goodluck everyone!

Phone Report: Jay from Sangamon County reports finding 5 small gray morels growing in moss on Monday, 03/30/04. Jay says he listens to farm reports for soil temperature. When it stays above 52 degrees for three nights in a row, he starts looking. The farm reports give soil temperature at a depth of 4"

Darrel from near Galesburg called to tell us he found a small black morel 1.5" tall on 03/30/04. This is a new record for him as his previous earliest find was on 03/31/98, the year of El Nino. We've kept track of Darrel's first finds for several years now. This is what we have written down: 4/10/93, 4/13/94, 4/13/95, 4/15/96 (in a snowstorm!), 3/31/98, 4/03/99. 03/30/04.

Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 19:18:05 -0600. Subject: mushrooms. Hello to mushroom hunter's. Found my first ones on April 1, 04 they are are the black one - five in half hour. yes in central Macoupin, Co.out side of the county seat to the south. Good hunting !!! OTTMAN

Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 10:59:06 EST. Subject: morels in will county. hi, i was just wondering if anyone could tell me when to start looking in southern will county? i live close to the kankakee river and area strip mines. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks, tracy. Tracy, Here's some info that might help http://www.morelmania.com/400301.html

Date: Thu, 01 Apr 2004 16:22:39 -0600. Subject: soil temp info. Hey hi- - Thought I'd forward this: The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS), a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is now providing three daily maps on the Web ( http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/warm/soiltemp.asp ) that show soil temperatures across Illinois. The maps, updated by 9 a.m. each day, are based on continuous observations of soil temperatures at selected Illinois Climate Network sites. Scott, McHenry County. Thanks Scott. To all, check Jay's report above from Monday 03/30/04.

Sent: Fri, 2 Apr 2004 11:45:51 EST. Subject: morels. nancy from christian county illinois found seven nice sized blacks today friday the 2nd of april. will enjoy them tonight. gona go back out now to find the rest of them. happy hunting.

Sent: Sat, 3 Apr 2004 22:55:04 -0800. Subject: Alabama. Extremely dry but found 2 black morels on 4/3/04 near Huntsville. A friend found 5 whites near the Tenn. River west of Athens Alabama. Dick C.

Sent: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 09:13:27 -0500. Subject: My first find 2004. Hey Tom, Well its that time of year again. These pretty little shrooms were found April 2, 2004. Were found in Murphysboro, IL (Southern Illinois, Jackson County) Happy Hunting, Phillip and Dan E.

From: barry g. Sent: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 16:36:01 -0700 (PDT). Subject: 3 Little Greys in Belleville. Just wanted to let you know, I just found three little greys in Belleville. We're supposed to get rain over the next couple of days, as long as we get some warm weather, it will be time!

From: melanie s. Sent: Tue, 06 Apr 2004 17:43:28 +0000. Subject: shrooming. Well, I finally found some! Three little greys, right in my own backyard, wont be long now. Good luck everyone, East alton ill.

Phone report: 04/07/04. Justin A. reported finding 7 small grays near Wood River in Madison County

For Chicago area mushroomers: Tom Nauman of Morel Mania will appear on CLTV at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, 04/08/04. They didn't tell me what they wanted to discuss. But I think it has something to do with morel mushrooms.

From: wes and delana. Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 19:01:28 -0500 Subject: Find Report. Just found my first mushrooms of the year. YAY!!! Found 2 blacks about 2 inches tall. Very fresh and light in color. Hard to see! They were found in Clark County Illinois, close to Clarksville, IL. Happy Hunting.

Sent: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 23:56:42 -0400. Subject: ARE THE MUSHROOMS OUT YET ? To Whom This May Concern : I was happy to see your site. I live in Florida & I am planning on going back to Illinois this year to mushroom hunt. I haven't got to go mushroom hunting, since 1986, when I moved down here. I have missed it so ....... much ! I just talked to a friend in Carbondale, who said they were out, but my friend who I am going to stay with lives in Danville. They aren't out there yet. The question is ................ Will it be too late if I don't get to Danville until April 26th ? Should I get there the week of April 18th ? Will any be out first of May ? Thank U Very Much for any information, that you can send me. Good luck mushroom hunting this year ! Sincerely, Judy J. O : - ) Be Safe ! Be Well ! Be Happy ! This reply is written on April 18 due to our email problems. I'm sorry I couldn't respond sooner. I would stick with your original plan of April 26. Most of the Midwest is poised for a great morel season . . . once we get some rain. From the reports on this page, most people are finding small greys - and they are few and far between. If you found 300 of them, it might fill a coffee can. The weatherman is predicting periodic rain for the next 10 days. Danville is supposed to receive rain beginning tonight and the chance for further rain daily through Wednesday. The daytime temperatures are a little on the warm side, but we had 30 degrees overnight a week ago. The rains should cool things down which will help extend the season. If you are still planning to be here the 26th, I think your timing may be perfect. By the time the 26th gets here, the ground should be moist and the morels will have some nice size to them. That is, of course, providing the weatherman is correct.

Date: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 21:44:37 -0500. Subject: SHROOMS! Here's 7 I got this afternoon. Southwest facing hill down near creek in Fairview Heights, Il.. Uplands too dry. Need rain and warm temps but we're supposed to get a shower on Friday and then it turns much cooler. My earliest is March 15th about 8 years ago and my latest were April 16 about 15 years ago. I consider the 10th as normal so we're about on track. Happy hunting everyone!! Larry in Fairview Heights Illinois.

From: don a. Sent: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 20:37:55 -0500. Subject: First sighting Kickapoo, Illinois-April 7, 2004 at 5:00 pm. Mike H. and boys find 15 small grey mushrooms today. Even Grandpa Don found a very small one! Grandson Josh took a magnifying glass to help him out. We are talking "nanotech-mushrooms". Kickapoo

Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 09:21:48 -0500. Subject: Morel pictures. Found in southern Il. on April 8th. I`d say they are ready. John and Rosie.

Sent: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 17:31:40 -0500. Subject: shrooms. Got 33 grays (4 over 3 inches) on the 9th and 2 small grays on the 10th in Fairview Heights. Need rain and warmth. South facing hills only. Good Luck everybody and hide those stumps. Larry in Fairview

From: KENT W., Sent: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 06:54:55 -0500 Subject: sightings Found 9 small greys on south slope near creek on April 10th, in Warren County near Monmouth. Also found 1 grey in macon county on April 8th-kc

04/13/04: Magnolia Report: Our son, Josh, found 32 small greys on Easter Sunday, April 11, in Putnam County. They were about 30 feet up the side of a south facing slope in an area that always pro early. The largest was a half-inch tall. He left them to grow. However, we woke up this morning to a temperature of 30 degrees, so they may be victims of frostbite. Our area is in need of rain to really bring the season on. The weatherman is not predicting any moisture until Sunday, April 18 and that's only a 30% chance.

Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 19:07:16 -0700 (PDT). Subject: nothin yet. North East Will county checked all the usual spots nothing. If we dont get rain soon they will be far and few. Never seen the woods so dry this time of year! JDL

Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 06:19:00 EDT. Subject: They're Here!!! Bureau Junction-Bureau County-Illinois We are actually early-by about 10 days- but we found two blacks on 4-14-04. We checked all our ususal spots but those two lonely shrooms were all to be found. Supposed to rain this weekend-maybe next week will be more friutful. Debi & Janie

Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 08:54:11 -0400. Subject: IL Mushroom Sighting. Neil and Craig from Athens found about 20 grays on Saturday, April 10th. Most were only 1" tall, but about 5 were 2"+.

Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 09:05:56 -0500. Subject: White morels. My shrooming buddy and I found 42 white morels yesterday, April 14. Found the first batch of 28 east of Duquoin and found the rest west of Duquoin. Found in heavy walking strip hills. Most were fresh but some were wind blown burnt at top. Still good though. Haven't found any blacks in two weeks. I guess it's over for them. Charlie from Duquoin, IL

Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 15:53:14 -0500 (EST)/ We found 4 small greys today, a little ahead of last year. We need some heat & rain!!! Southeast Iroquois County 6 miles from the Indiana state line. Good Luck to all you shroomers!!!! We want more in 2004!!! Will P.

Sent: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 12:46:13 -0500. Subject: Annual Southern Illinois Trip. My husband and I were in far Southern Illinois (Perry, Jackson, Union & Alexander counties) on April 10-13th to look for morels. I am sad to say that this was the worst year we have ever hunted in the Shawnee and surrounding public lands since we started to do this seriously 4 years ago. Good producing areas had at best 1/3 of the usual mushrooms we find (blacks, grays and yellows). We found only 6-7 half free's total which is very bizarre because one area in particular that usually produces lots of half frees (hey, they make great soup and sauces) had none, zero. I would guess we came home with 5-6 pounds after some very hard work looking at 5-6 different spots every day. Blacks were the most common mushroom we found and one area that is always a reliable yellow producer had only 5 big ones, with 4 being pretty dried up. All of the other hunters we spoke to moaned about not finding any or finding just a few, so I don't think our experience this year was unique. FYI - Everywhere we found morels goldenseal was in bloom - the surrounding trees were mostly beech, maple, sycamore, hickory and oak. We found some down low and some up high on ridges, so there wasn't pattern of finding some mostly in one place over the other. The Shawnee is bone dry right now - many creeks that we usually had to look for a good crossing at were dry or had just a trickle of water but it was dry last year when we went down, too. I am guessing that the unusually cold snap that lasted for awhile has seriously slowed morel fruiting to a near standstill. I am sure hoping that the Northern Illinois season does not suffer the same fate. We will send a post regarding our finds near home when we start looking up here. Happy trails to all! Uncle Korspe and Mama Doe :)

Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 23:45:43 -0500. Subject: 10 yellow morels in Illinois. Easter Sunday we found 10 yellow morels in Perry County. I know it seems too early for them, but this spot usually produces them so early that we end up finding them too late and they are too far gone, so we hit it early this year and it worked. We sure enjoyed eating them Sunday evening. Going back this weekend. Maybe more have popped up, but with the wind and no rain I kind of doubt it. See ya in the woods. ;-) Taxshedermist and Gumpa

Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 19:31:37 -0500. Went hunting on 4/14 - found very small grays and some yellows - really need more rain. Found them in Cass county, IL.. Teresa

Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 11:42:18 -0500. Subject: morel sighting. hi tom, my name is adam d., and i live in marquette hieghts. i was out yesterday showing my dad where i found a buch last year on his property near hopedale il. we were only there for about five minutes and found several small greys under a dying elm tree. only about an inch and a half tall, but encouraging. thanks, adam d.

From: Jeff L. Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 13:04:37 -0600. My co-worker and I went today at lunch at work and found 45 morels, about half grays and half small yellow ones. Some were a little dry on top. Found these in central Madison County, Illinois

Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 09:07:45 -0700. Subject: Illinois. Found 7 small grey's this morning in our neighbors DRIVEWAY !! 4-46-04 Gary R., Peoria, Il.

From: Jeanette M. K. Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 11:20:04 -0500. Subject: first 4. this is my second year hunting and so far I have found four grays. I found them in Northern Adams county IL,half mile from Hancock county. The first two I found on 4/13, one on the 14th , and the forth one on the north side on fri.15. It was a very warm day that day. They seamed to have more of a yellow on the outer ridges of the pores, the inside of the pores where gray. Three of them where on a SE slope sunny area, the fourth one I found on the north side of the hill about half way up. Hopefully we will get some rain soon, very dry out. PS. what are half trees?

From: karen h. Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 10:49:58 -0700 (PDT). John F. & his mushroom partner, Jim D. from Abingdon, Illinois found 55 medium sized grey in their usual secret place near two dead elms.

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 09:03:15 -0500. Subject: sighting. Sat. 4/17/04 7:00 pm. Our favorite early spot. 20 min. drive north of Peoria Il. 56 grays. From half inch tall to a few 2 inchers. They looked to be fresh in the morning but the 80 plus degree temps had some burned on top. good luck. Reed family

From: tres. Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 23:01:39 EDT. Subject: mushrooms in Peoria. Wow, I can't believe that someone found mushrooms in the Peoria area. My hat's off to you! I have been looking, there are none to be found in my area. I watered one of my early areas tonight, maybe someone will pop up tomorrow. It has been so dry here, we are really late. OVO!

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 22:50:12 -0500. Subject: Morels. In Southern-Central Illinois, walked the woods for 4 hours, on Sat, the 17th. Spots that normally yield lots of nice yellows and grays, are bearing almost nothing, it's way too dry, and the woods is getting thick and green, if we do get rain, it will be almost impossible to see anything but the big yellows, and that's a long shot. Please let it rain so we have a chance to find a few.....Norm in St. Clair County.

Sent: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 20:39:30 -0500. Subject: morels. perry, co ill. found 35 friday mostly dried, need rain bad. Mainly grays and a few yellows. If it rains bring a tote sack. THE JUVENILE

From: jane m. Sent: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 22:21:04 -0500. Subject: burns and such hey Tom, I live in northeastern Illinios and there is an open woodland that has had a control burn in it this past winter. It is flat to gently rolling sloping to a river and consists primarily of maple, but contains some oaks and a few scattered dead elms. what will the affect be on the shrooms this spring from the light burn? Would I have to wait till next year to see the area produce shrooms and where would be the best places to look? Some areas have heavy ClAY SOILS AND OTHERS HAVE A SANDY LOAM. how would this, coupled with ph affect the shrooms. And do morels ever grow in areas that are partially flooded in early spring, like the river bottoms in this area? appreciate any help.

From: HUNTER. Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 20:36:37 EDT. Subject: 4/19/04 report from Cook County. 4/19/04 report. Southern Cook County: just for kicks went to my favorite haunt at lunch. Found 2 grey morels both firm from dryness. First about 3" with top discolored from dryness and the second was 1 1/4" and also dry. They both came from the south side of the woods in a grassy but open area. Many elms had been thinned out last summer-presumably from Dutch Elm or Elm Yellow disease. Please put a spot on the map-BTW this area usually produces around Mother's Day. We also need rain badly here. Of interest, polypores are progressing nicely on the stumpage.

Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 17:36:40 -0500. Subject: Illinois-any hope?. 4/19/04 I have been looking for morels seriously for five years now just south east of St. Louis in Monroe county Illinois and this year is by far the worst season. I have found about 15 all together. My normal hot spots are barely producing and the mushrooms I've found are very small, no taller than 1.5". This has been an extremely dry spring which probably explains the bad season. We are expecting rain for the next week, I know its late but could this late spring rain spawn a new crop worth looking for? Tim, Columbia, Il

Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 10:52:54 -0500. Subject: Found 11 small greys Morels Sunday April 18, 2004. Found 11 small greys in Tazewell County. Need rain. Hard to find but enjoyable. BAW - Washington, IL

From: Kelzdad. Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 10:01:43 EDT. Subject: Pike County Find 4-16-04. Found 8 small blacks on Friday. The hillside really didn't look ready, mayapples barely pushing through, trifoils just breaching. Deer ticks were very active though! Should be great this week.

From: Catcraziladi. Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 09:49:14 EDT. Subject: tres. in peoria i wish you'd water my favorite spots too. lol. i cant find any in peoria county either.

Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 07:20:14 -0500. Subject: There's Out There in Illinois. Went shrooming yesterday with cousin to usual spot, wasn't expecting to find too much since we are really dry, but we were surprised, found about 50 between us ranging from 1/2"-3". They were pretty dry but we are expecting rain this week so they should be popping up great after that. It was around Peoria/Bloomington area, trying not to give too much away. Happy Shrooming!!!! Amy

It is our great pleasure to announce that Mr. Taylor Lockwood of Mendocino, California will be our special guest speaker at the Friday night Open House on April 30 at the Illinois State Morel Mushroom Hunting Championship and Spongy Fungi Festival in Magnolia, IL. Mr. Lockwood travels the world to photograph mushrooms (he's just returned from Borneo and Australia). Visit his website at www.fungiphoto.com His photos will amaze you.

Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 10:44:59 -0500. Subject: central illinois big yellows are starting. Found 80 3" very nice yellow morels east of white hall Il, been very dry found them in the bottoms, had heavy rain last night so this weekend should be prime, go get em. Larry H.

Magnolia and other Central Illinois areas received a much needed rain on Tuesday 04/20/04. About a half-inch, nice, gentle, soaking kind of rain. "Nuf said.

From: Brian B. Sent: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 03:59:19 +0000. Subject: morels in central Hancock county Illinois. My buddy and I finally found some morels on the 17th. there was a brief rain the night before, just enough. all together we found 27. surprisingly there was a patch of 13 small greys, none more than two inches tall on the bottom part of a ravine almost completely obstructed by leaves. The day after, the 18th, we found 5 yellows on a ridge, then some false morels (elephant ears) and one little grey, no more than an inch tall next to the false morels. Today, the 19th, we found 16 greys in a pine needle bed near a sawed up elm tree and two completely dried up yellows about 15 feet away. let it rain let it rain.

Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 12:20:32 -0500. Subject: Sighting. I'm excited to say that we found about 15 small grays on 4/18/04 in McLean County. The tallest was approximately 1 inch. We are hopeful that the rain and forecasted temperatures will improve the seasons production! Happy hunting to all! Jennifer

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 04:56:35 -0700 (PDT). Subject: shrooms!!!!!!!! Bring on the rains in Mason County. Hi everyone, my friend Tammy and I go out every year and thank god we got rain last night. We have found small greys and a few yellows . Altogher we have found over 4 lbs but it has been hard. My prissy sister found one 4 inch yellow in her high heals and and had to show it off to us. Well I'm off to the timbers for the big find today I hope! good luck to all , Pamela Mason County, IL ps. Everyone Who has seen my morel maniac shirt loves it!!!!!!! told them where to get one of there own

From: tres. Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 21:42:57 EDT. Subject: They are here! He He! What a fun night, they are here. TRES OOOPS, I forgot Peoria County

From: ronald b. Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 20:59:03 -0500. Subject: morels in central illinois. Found 38 greys this afternoon in the Hanna City area west of P-Town. Had a little shower but it is still very dry. Rain forecasted for thur. and fri. Good luck shroomers.

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 08:43:43 -0500. Subject: WE FOUND MORELS YELLOWS AND GREYS. Hi Tom, We are in Central Illinois Macoupin County. We went to Tenn, Georgia last week hunting. Found very few. We got home on the 20th and went to our narmal places and found 75 gtreys and yellows. Very dry out there and a lot of our big ones were dry. My husband found 1 with the top the size of a baseball and the stump was only 3" tall. We found a lot of fresh greys that were about 4 " tall. It's very dry but they are out there. By this time last year we had found over 1000 of these beauties. We are heading out again this morning and will let you know how we do and I will send some pics. Keep looking they are out there and it helps to have a man that knows how and where to hunt these delicacies. Happy hunting, Christine & Bobo.

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 21:18:43 -0500. Subject: more morels found. hi tom, adam d. again. found these greys in about an hour in the rain that we had on tuesday. all were found under dying elms, but i really had to look to find them. I picked these by my house in marquette heights in tazewell county. i also got a call today from my buddy brian who was out at jubilee college state park to day and picked about 2 lbs. of greys from an old hedge row that always produces for us. thanks again and good luck to all. adam d.

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 07:41:28 -0500. Subject: Finally found some! Three of us took to the woods Apr. 21 in Shelby County to check out the regular spots and much to our delight found about 50 altogether. Some were grays and some were yellow. Mostly grays and most were in the 1 1/2" range of size although I won for smallest, about 1/4". Mostly south side lower, a few on upper east side. Tammy, and buddies.

From: Sally K. Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 15:20:39 -0500. Subject: morels found 2 grays yesterday in DeKalb county-nice size but no others in the area yet

From: Aunt Nell. Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 18:31:52 -0500. Subject: morels. found 2 small greys under the apple tree today in Lasalle Co. IL

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 20:11:02 -0700 (PDT). Subject: morels found lasalle cty. found in north west lasalle county in marseilles after a verry warm and dry spring it finally rained here 3/4 on tue apr 20. i found 2# of small greys and yellows on the 21st after checking my best spots. seen 4 others in nearby woods and they had found none. its still early and we need more rain. the scrub in the woods is taller than usual due to the warm weather will make the shrooms harder to find. good luck brandon in marseilles.

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 19:30:35 -0500. Subject: Morels. Just went out to my favorite spot in Grundy County IL. Picked up 84 morels. 85% greys and the rest yellows. Looks like a good year. Jim K.

From: Monica B. Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 06:23:58 -0500. Subject: Mushroom Find. Found about 30 little grey's and 11 elephant ears in Cass Co. In. Need more warm weather! Also we're attending the mushroom fest. this weekend at Mansfield, In. hope to have some luck. Any info on the elephant ears, also known as Beefsteak, or Reds? Read lots of things about these, and even though I have eaten them before, they seem to be a little questionable??? Try Dr. Michael Kuo's page on false morels mushroomexpert.com "If it's reddish - you could be deadish. If it ain't hollow - don't swallow. If it's wavy - don't make gravy.

Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 13:41:44 -0500. Subject: Mushroom finds. Where are the mushrooms? Went out everyday this week and found 24 small greys and yellows south of Effingham,IL.Latest I have ever found them.None where I always find them. Is it early or do you think the season passed us by? Pug

Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 06:29:34 -0500. Subject: Morels are up in northern illinois. Hello, This is SPONGE from somewhere near Pecatonica. I went out yesterday afternoon 4/23/04 and found 96 morels. About 1 1/2 pounds. Mostly yellows, but did get a dozen or so greys. Found most of the bunch around 1 tree. They were 1-2 inches tall. Still kind of early around here. I'm guessing sometime after May 6th to be the best time to pick. Called my hunting partners Bruce the Stump & Coyote Man to rub it in last night.

Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 10:12:24 -0500. Subject: morels. First findings of year I found 6lbs in about 30min on a south east facing slope in an open mossy & grassy area mostly yellow's in Rock Island county IL going to another honey spot just thought i would share. Randy B. See you next week at the festival!!

From: Markalt. Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 12:33:31 EDT. Subject: morel. here is picture found in peoria . yellow medium size on 4/24/04 found no gray ones but didn't find abudance. so i dont know if this is going to be a great year

Nan M. Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 15:43:09 -0500. Subject: Big yellow are coming!! Do little and Big Al found 12 big yellow and about 25 grey. They are coming on now with the big yellows. Will soon need a gunny sack to haul them out. Found in Vermilion County April 24th. HAVE A GOOD ONE

Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 16:46:34 EDT. Subject: tough year. Ok ...this has not been a great year AT ALL.. but since the 18th of April I have found 30 itty bitty gray ones in a maybe a 6 ft circle patch, some in moss, in my back yard ( 23 in one day, then one or two each day I've looked, prolly ones i missed from the first day, hehehe ..in Germantown Hills, IL in Woodford county...last weekend I was in Southern IL in Johnson county for my annual morel quest and its SO FAR its been the worst year ever, according to my uncle who has hunted for 65 years, (found maybe 40 lil ones over 2 days). I also hit a ever producing area in Peoria county last night an got Skunked!!!!...Its rainin now so they better be a poppin here soon...good luck hunters..if yer in my area maybe ya'll could draw me a map of where yer findin em...Scarlett

Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 21:06:15 -0500. Subject: Morel Question. Date, April 24, 2004 St. Clair County, IL. Even though the rain has been light- less then 1" for the entire month, I finally found 5 fresh yellows along an almost vertical stream bank. Does anyone know if in a year like this, where the weather conditions have been unfavorable- dry and cool, do the morel spores just not come up at all, or will they wait until the right conditions exist??? We generally find morels around 4/15. I wish you all better luck up north where the rains have been heavier. Barbara

Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 22:30:46 EDT. Subject: Bloomington Ill. After a long few weeks they finally have arrived April 22 found 3 to 4 lbs of grays. MMMMMM and are they good. Some showed some frost bite but many of them were in excellent condition. Hope to have a great season fingers crossed have had the rain Now we will see what the sun will do. Happy hunting Bryan K In Bloomington

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 17:22:01 -0500. 04-23-04. Found one 2 inch yellow in a proven spot, all other spots are yet to produce(I hope) DEWITT County, Kurt.

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 18:10:41 -0500. Subject: 4/25/04 Illinois. Me and a friend went out today and found thirty yellows in about two hours. twenty were pretty small, it looks like they just popped up from the last three days of rain we had. This is the latest I have ever found them. I think it will be prime pickin for the next four or five days. It seems like the season was pushed back about two weeks due to the weather. Tim, Monroe county, Illinois

From: Martina R. Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 09:09:12 -0500. Subject: There's one! Hi, Mr. T, Found my first morel in Kankakee County this morning--beautiful little grey about 2.5 inches tall and 1 inch across, with just the faintest reddish brown highlights. I didn't look further because I was in something of a hurry, but one was all I needed anyway. For me, the idea or words "There's one!" is not too far behind "He is risen!!" as my all-time favorites. See you Friday. God Bless! 8)M. Congrats to Ms. M!!!! You must have had some excellent teachers (I'll always remember your "First Sighting". For those of you attending the Open House at Magnolia on April 30, Say thanks to Martina - she's cooking the soup.

Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 10:36:30 -0500. Subject: morels are here. southern vermilion county illinois. 4/23/04 friday afternoon. what a good day to be in the woods. wet and warm. nice size greys are up and the yellow's are chasing them. found several good sizes of both. looking for some wetter wheather and solid sunshine this week. can't wait to see you all this weekend in Magnolia! Lori K

From: Martin P. Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 13:21:42 -0500. Subject: 5 found In LaSalle county 5 found 4-26-04, largest was about 4" cap to root with bottom of cap 2" across, smallest was about 2 1/4" tall with 3/4 inch bottom of cap.

From: SFR. Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 20:38:03 EDT. Subject: More sad news. Two experienced hunters spent 4 hours Sunday, April 25 near Vandalia in Fayette Co. and found only 22 morels weighing less than a lb. total. Some beautiful fresh whites, but only a few. Heavy grass & weeds made things tough. Seems season turned upside down, confused and all but over. Not enough rain or warmth. Good luck up North.

Sent: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 00:45:09 EDT. Subject: morel hunting. Hello, have been hunting morels for about 20 years. I live in Rockford, Illinois and do most of my hunting in northwest and northcenteral Illinois. Went to Kettle Moraine last year and picked A TON of morels up there. I mean, there are a ton of dead elms and ALWAYS had morels around them. That trip was a no brainer. However, the weather, as you know, has been a little cool. We, my family (wife, son who is 4 and my daughter who is 8 months) and I have a another trip planned for the first week in May back up to Kettle Moraine. But I am concered that the Morels wont be as thick as last year due to the weather. The trip the year prior was so much fun because my son was even able to find about 10 lbs in 2 days on his own. My wife has suggested to go south this year, but I have no idea where (besides Pope county Il) Do you have any ideas you are able to share with me as far as LARGE parks we could vist and hunt morels? I'm am not asking for specifics, just a possible point in the right direction. I am willing to travel up to 6-7 hours. Thanx for any info, Corey B. PS: bought one of your Shroom bags at Gander Mountain for my dads birthday, he loves it.

Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 01:07:35 -0500. Subject: Illinois sighting: Jo Daviess County (Galena). April 27: Jo Daviess County, Illinois, about 8 miles Southeast of Galena: FINALLY! We found 14 average-sized greys along the edge of a hay field, just inside the treeline... this spot was one of my best spots last year, but was fruitless the three years prior to that... I will send along photographs sometime this weekend! Rory and Jason: Stay off my property, scumbags! Remember, my Mom still gets 50% of anyone's haul from our land, so quit poachin'! -OTIS (you know who I am).

Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 08:31:42 -0500. Subject: Mushrooms. April 26 hunted for 3 hrs hard & close in Fulton county in two locations. Good territory but few mushrooms. Even found those yellows so badly decomposed already that they had gone bad. Also found couple of giants. Vegetation already too high. Not sure the season is not already over. J. Hart

From: Janet D. Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 16:38:31 -0500. Subject: sightings of greys. I found some greys this last Sunday (April 25) in northern Illinois. Didn't get out to look for blacks. Good size; about 3-4 inches. Lots of rain and some sun should bring up the rest.

Sent: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 17:35:08 -0500. Subject: MORELS. Found 63 yallers in DeKalb county Saturday April 26. 61 around one dead elm. My best "Mother-Lode" yet. Mostly 2" to 3". J. Todd H.

Sent: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 22:04:23 -0500. Subject: Morel Mushrooms. Been hunting in tazwell county, in Illinois. Yesterday my dauther Heather found 42 Yellows&grays. All were 2-3 inches tall. I only found ( 4 ). Guess it's my old eyes!!!!!! But it is only going to get better. Mike O. Good luck to all.

From: Ken M. Sent: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 09:49:57 -0500. Subject: Illinois Morel Law Update. Tom, There is good news for the Illinois Mushroom hunters!!! A new law is expected to be passed in June which will allow the legal collection of morels in State Parks and forest Preserves. Most officers look the other way now but I ran into one last year that confiscated my 20+ lbs and wrote me a $75.00 ticket. This law will be to late for this year but will give us the "green light" for next!! Finally someone in Springfield got some common sense. Ken aka whitetailsheds Hi Ken, Thanks for reporting. I'm sorry about your loss (and I don't mean the money). We will keep everyone posted about the change in the law. As I understand it, each park will have its own set of rules. This is because some parks allow turkey hunting (so no shrooming 'til afternoon), have steep cliffs, or some other logical reason to not let us shroomers in. Probably won't be legal this year but a lot of us from Illinois are Cub Fans and know the meaning of the term "wait 'til next year!

Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 20:41:00 -0700 (PDT). Subject: Morel Mushrooms. I found a few today. Knox County Illinois. Now all I need is a few Crappies or Blue Gills. Dave

Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 05:06:30 -0700 (PDT). Subject: Illinois Morels. I went out to proven spot in southern Cook County yesterday (4-28). Pulled 3 lbs of large whites in about 45 min. All were on South facing hills low near water. Some had tops burned as they had been up awhile. Others were just popping. Largest was size of my hand and smallest around 1". There here!!!!! Good luck Chicago Shroomers!! SpongeKenDirtyPants

Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 23:34:26 -0500. Subject: ref Shrooms in Illinois. Drove my Hummer down on the bottoms of the Mackinaw River today, Found LARGE amounts of Yellow, and Blacks, the Blacks being Burnt up Ones. Happy Hunting. Come to El Paso I'LL buy ya a beer at Topsy's or a dance a Kappa. Jack P.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 01:50:54 -0500. Subject: mushrooms found. i went mushrooming in northwestern warren county IL on saturday april 4th and found one yellow. I went to western Peoria County on same day and found 6 pounds yellows and grays. Sunday April 25th went to same in Peoria County and found approx. a pound gave up early headed west to warren county and decided to stop in northwestern fulton county IL approx. London Mills area and found 8 pounds total, both yellows and grays and am continuing to find them in London Mills. why can i not find them a half hour west in warren county. Dan T. Little York IL. I used to hunt Marshall, Putnam, and Knox counties in the same year and Knox always seemed to be about a week before the Marshall-Putnam area. My best guess is that there's something different in the soil. Or maybe the terrain from the river makes a difference.

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 13:46:10 -0500. Went out Sunday, April 25 in Putnam County and only got a dozen morels. But I went out on Thursday April 29 and hit the jackpot. I found 45 beautiful morels in just one hour (my lunch hour) In north LaSalle. So look out this weekend, they should be all over. The undergrowth is really getting thick so it takes a lot of patience to find them. Good luck! King Richard

Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 20:28:54 EDT. Subject: Northern Illinois Sighting Kane/Cook County 5/1/2004. May 1, 2004, 4pm, Kane/Cook County Sighting, after looks for 5 minutes, 6, 1-2 inch grey's found in same area as we found 40 last year, in area with several dead elms. It was the first time we had looked this year, so yes, tomorrow you know what we will be doing. Two had their tops burnt, so they had been up for awhile. We had light rain showers today, but low tonight of 40. As it gets warmer let's plan of a good year for yellow 's 4 to 5 inches. Jay from Barrington


Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 11:44:47 -0500. Subject: lack of morels. This is Larry in St. Clair Co. (Fairview Heights). I hope all you folks up North who got the rains we missed savor every last morel. It's been terrible here. My worst year before this was 2001, when I got only 1875. This year I had 300. It was too dry early, and too cool later. Yeah, maybe those Cubs will win this year, and then we can all have shrooms after after hell melts. Larry K

From: mingo. Date: Sun, 02 May 2004 14:20:46 -0600. Subject: Pictures for you from the Marshall/Putnam County line, Illinois. I bet the one on the far left didn't taste very good. Where's my boots???????

Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 21:55:47 -0500. Subject: Found some yellows today. May 2nd These are the two biggest yellows out of the ones I found today. Rock Island County, Illinois. Eric

Date: Sun, 02 May 2004 22:46:37 -0500. Subject: morels 5-1-04. I found 8 yellows 4-6 " in Northern McLean County IL. Try again tomorrow. Rbs

From: WillySol. Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 21:31:13 -0500. Subject: Shrooms /Savanna. Hi, found two pounds of yellows near Savanna I. Cold snap Thur, Fri, Sat 4/29-30th seemed to stop new growth. with warm weather this week (1st week in May) they should be at their peak.

Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 16:38:13 -0500 (Central Daylight Time). Subject: What else? Morels. Tues., 5-4. Got 43 huge, probably giant morels, today. 8-9 inches tall and fat and delicious. Thats the good news. Bad news is I think its about over. I say that because the giants are usually the last to come, at least in the areas Ive been hunting. Of course there are a few spots to check yet. One more crop may be it though. So sad. I hate to see it over. Thanks for the web site. I watch it and see how close they are to me and start hunting accordingly. Broady. Marseilles, Il.

From: michael d. Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 20:57:20 -0500. Subject: morels in WI. Hey Tom, Just thought I'd let you know that I went out today and found 4lbs. of yellow morels in Southern WI. Rock County and in Winnebago County in Northern ILL. They were real tasty!!!!! 5-4 04

Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 22:37:32 EDT. Subject: Findings! May 5th 2004, I've found approximately 5 pounds so far That is not including what my brother in law found with me. but not even half of all that I found so far this year they were found in April in Illinois near or in Madison County. Nick W.

From: Doe M. Sent: Tue, 04 May 2004 09:40:41 -0400. Subject: Yellows in Cook County, IL. I found about 30 nice sized yellow morels on Thursday evening in a Cook County forest preserve in an area of a dead/dying/live elms that was near (not in) some standing water. The ground was moister in this area than where I found about 60 smaller ones (mostly grays, couple of yellows and two half free) last week. I looked through that area first and found about 5 small grays and decided to go somewhere that I had never looked before because it was very dry where I found the morels last week. I'll definately be going back out there after work today because there are a lot of elms I did not get to explore and by the time I found the yellows, the sun was going down. FYI - proven areas in Will and Kankakee counties have skunked me to date. We do plan on checking on them this weekend and seeing if anything is happening.

From: Doe M. Sent: Wed, 05 May 2004 09:49:44 -0400. Subject: Morels in Cook County, IL. I went back out to the area where I had already found some nice big yellows in a Cook County forest preserve last night and got about 150 more 3-4" yellows in less than an hour! Lots of elms - dead/dying/still live in the area but no more than 1/2 mile from the parking lot. I had to quit picking because I filled my mesh 10# onion bag and I have a broken finger, so I knotted up my jacket and filled the arms up. The lower shelf in our 'fridge is full and everyone will have morels on Mother's Day this year! I'll be back out tonight because I know there are more elms and probably more morels :)

Sent: Tue, 04 May 2004 21:57:33 -0500. Subject: My personel record. Here is a picture of my biggest morel. I spotted it 30 feet away. Wish they were all that easy. Found 5 yesterday and 4 today. I think frost got some of them. [5-4-04] Robes in McLean County Illinois.

From: EKJPhil. Date: Fri, 7 May 2004 09:23:23 EDT. Subject: re: found. I am a new hunter and have been looking for about five years and until today never was able to find them. But alas there they were right by the side of the road. May 6th, far north side of St. Charles, Illinois, wooded area, somewhat residental. They tasted great!

From: Doe Morel. Sent: Fri, 07 May 2004 09:44:20 -0400. Subject: Yellow morels in Cook County, IL. I found about 60 more big yellows between Wednesday and Thursday evening at the same Cook County forest preserve I have been hunting over the last week. All have been found near dead elms. There are still large areas that I have not gotten to where I can see additional stands of dead elms from nearby roads, so I plan on going back out tonight to new hunting grounds at the same preserve. I am sharing the bounty with those I love and drying whatever we don't eat. I am very grateful to be finding so many up north since our (husband and I) trip to far Southern Illinois in mid April got about a third of what we normally find and I know that in large parts of the Midwest have had one of the worst years for morels on record.

From: Gary R. Date: Fri, 7 May 2004 10:40:41 -0700. Subject: Illinois. I must be blind...can someone sell me some in Peoria ?????

Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 07:33:10 -0500. Subject: There's one!! Hi, Mr. T, Found my first one in Kankakee County, IL this morning, a sweet little grey with a few reddish-brown highlights, ~2.5 inches tall and 1 inch diameter. I looked no further at this time, being in sommat of a hurry, and adequately reassured that they still exist. For me, the expression "There's one!!" ranks not very far after "He is risen!" as my favorite expressions. Love ya. God Bless! 8)Martina

Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 16:50:42 EDT. Subject: Yellows. I found this giant on May 1st in Menard County, Illinois. This was my friend and my worst year on record in recent memory as far as number of mushrooms found, but oddly enough I found the biggest mushroom that I've ever found. Nothing made sense this year -- all the heat none of the moisture, all the moisture none of the heat. To give this picture scale next to the giant is my yard ornament that I keep outside in the spring and a tape measure. -- Craig and Neil

Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 10:16:21 -0500. Hello there, Just wanted to let everyone know I found 4lbs (wet) of yellows in Will County, Illinois near the I&M Canal. They were found in North facing hills in areas of little to no ground vegetation. After this week's heavy rains, expecting to find more this coming weekend! Thanks, Adam B.

Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 10:55:24 -0500. Subject: Morels in an unlikely location. Hi- Today I was strolling through downtown Lisle, IL on the way to the Post Office. In front of an office building I thought I saw a large morel. Naturally, I investigated. Sure enough ­ a large morel 5" in diameter. I quickly picked it and put it in a bag and went off to lunch. Then, after lunch went back and explored the grounds ­ found 2 more nice morels ­ 9.9 ounces. Not bad for a little lunchtime stroll. So keep your eyes OPEN! Adrienne

From: GMiShaDu Date: Tue, 25 May 2004 19:46:22 EDT. Subject: Northern Il, Find in Galena , Il. May 5th 4 hours of hunting produced a nice batch of Morels. Was a good year.

From: janembodle Date: Sat, 29 May 2004 09:02:19 -0500. Subject: rotting morels Went out to a favorite spot yesturday (lake co, IL) where I had found some large yellows a couple of weeks ago. Found what would have been some gigantic morels (10-12 in. tall, 5 in. wide) but they were fallen off the stock and so rotted that they were inedible. That is all I found while out. Might be a few more but if anything signals the ending of the season this does (boo hoo). Was dry early then got a ton of rain. Been an interesting and fun season. Have you been finding anymore Tom? And a question been on my mind: Do morels, and other wild mushrooms, have any nutritional value, vitamins, minerals? Thanks.


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Indiana:

Sent: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 07:47:02 -0500. Subject: Mushrooms in Southern Indiana. Tom, just wanted to let you know, I found 3 black morels yesterday (3/28) in southern Indiana. First of the year for me. two of them were about the size of a pencil eraser (no kidding) but one was a descent one, 3 inches tall. I'm about 60 miles north of Louisville. Little town named Scipio. Todd

Sent: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 10:53:14 -0500. Subject: Found black mushrooms. My name is mary, I live in southern indiana around coulmbia county found 11 black morels ranging from 1 inch to 4 inches tall. found march 28th and 29th 2004.

Sent: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 00:11:28 -0800 (PST). On 4/3/04 I found small grey morels and the early larger brown morels,, they were real fresh,no drying or discoloration on any of them. This was in Warrick county, SW Indiana,, good hunting to all MICK

Sent: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 21:46:50 -0500. Subject: Indiana Mushroom. My daughter found our first one on 3/3. Only one this week , but at least it's a start. Found near Raccoon State Park. Mike

Sent: Thu, 8 Apr 2004 07:25:44 -0500. Subject: SouthWest Indiana near Evansville. Found a nice 4" Black Morel on Tuesday just north of Evansville, IN. Still a bit early and need some rain. Mike, Princeton, IN

From: Roy L. Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 00:50:12 -0500. Subject: shrooms. We found a few blacks and a elephant ear. In brazil In. Expecting colder temps, and need rain to set of shrooms to popping. Warmer weather expected hope to have good season. Goodluck to all shroomers

From: Al C. Sent: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 15:45:56 -0500. Subject: sighting Indiana. Found 2 Black Morels about 2 1/2 inches tall , Sat Aprill 10th in Gibson County, Indiana

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 22:50:03 EDT. Subject: no shrooms. Went out on Sunday the 18th to some of my faithful spots west of Indy around Eagle Creek and found no trace of shrooms other than some old puff balls. The woods seem to be bone dry as we are having a dry Spring. I am hoping we get some rain this week (as predicted) to save the 2004 morel season if not too late. What would Spring be without a skillet of those fried little goodies. UKlemm

Reminder to all Hoosiers: Don't forget the Mansfield Mushroom Festival is this coming weekend (April 24 & 25) in Parke County

From: connie s. Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 05:04:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: mushroom findings. miami county indiana, we found our first 20 grays need rain and they will be every were.4/18/04.

Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 20:11:12 -0500. Subject: morels in n.w. ind. apr 19 th . found 69 greys on 4/17 and found 23 more on 4/18 . it is very dry. we're supposed to get rain tues. 4/20 should help. john, rose and our newest schroomer vera

From: kim. Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 12:23:04 -0500. Subject: MORELS found in N.W. Indiana. Morels found in NW Indiana about a hundred or so. They were all blacks and greys. Picked the biggest ones they were about an inch or so big. My son and I left a bunch so in a week or so we can have big ones. We had them with steak and mashed potatoes. Mmmmmmmmm now thats good. We had some breaded, sautaed in butter,onion,garlic, and other family secret spices. My son found the first one. They were found on 4/18/04.

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 11:38:05 -0400. Subject: Don't tell my wife. Howdy shroomers, Finally got some rain last night so I of course I had to go out this morning and see what I could find. It took some serious eye straining and moving of leaves and such but in about four hours I found 15 little greys....yeehaa!!!! I'm up here in northeast Indiana ,it's still quite dry but it was well worth the exercise , oh by the way I better hurry up and get these fried up before the wife gets home. hehehe... good luck everyone!....... T-Bone

From: Laura H. Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 20:26:28 -0400. Found today and yesterday north of Boonville, Indiana.

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 00:05:42 EDT. Subject: Morels. April 24,2004-Found 35 Morels by Graysville,In. Rain has really helped -Hope season will last at least a couple more weeks. The Shroomers, John & JO

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 15:15:25 EDT. Subject: Not much luck. Went out 4/24/04 with my 4 and 7 year old and looked hard only found 2 grays after about an hour of hunting on the West side of Indy - Eagle Creek. We saw another shoomer in the woods also, he stated this has also been a poor year, he only had 3 in his bag after hunting all morning. We had some good rain this last week and I am hoping to get out again mid-week. Gonna try a few more times but the woods seem advanced as the undergrowth is geting tall and the may-apples have fruit. UKLemm

Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 21:24:56 -0500. Subject: 'shroom sighting. I spent about an hour and a half searching for 'shrooms at Morgan-Monroe (IN) State Forest on Friday, April 23rd. I found a whole bag full of gray's and a one yellow. Unfortunately, the 12-yr. old girl that picked them wouldn't hand them over. I also saw two other groups out in the woods. They had full bags as well. Personally I got skunked! McNut

Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 01:06:14 -0500. Subject: Indiana morels. I was out Turkey hunting on April 24, 2004 in Southern Indiana in Switzerland County and decided to stop by my usual spot to see if any Shrooms had popped up. We'd had some good rains recently and the temps were in the upper 60's to low 70's. I picked about 100-125 (6.6 pounds) of beautiful yellow morels in less than an hour! ---Owlex---

From: Gary Wayne B. Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 07:32:36 -0500. Subject: Fort Wayne Area. Has anyone had any luck in the Fort Wayne area? Have been out 4 times in the last 10 days in prior producing woods but found nothing. Has been dry but finally got rain last night.

From: kimnmiken. Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 08:13:27 -0500 (Central Standard Time). Subject: Bass Lake Mike Picking alot of morels here in NW IN. Here are some pictures.

From: Kellyb. Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 14:17:23 EDT. Subject: Indiana . South central .5-1-04. After several attempts with little success I found 5.75 lbs. under a partialy dead elm , all were 2-3 inches in lenght . All yellows , nice litle honey hole .Under grouth getting big making it hard to find them ! Good Luck , and Happy Hunting !!!

Sent: Sun, 9 May 2004 8:33:11 -0500. Subject: ground temps,52 to ? At what ground temp. do morels stop growing, starting at about 52 deg. through ? would just like to know. thanks paul from ne indiana. p.s. very dry here this year, got rain a little to late,bummer!!!--- Paul R.

From: Tom F. Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 10:43:17 -0500. My dad found this mushroom on May 15th in Northern Indiana, other than a few other much smaller mushrooms it has just been too dry in our woods.


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Iowa:

Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 15:21:26 -0800. Subject: central Iowa Morels. found about 40 or so just north of des moines. went out in the cold wet rain and came back with 40 nice grays and couple yellows. -john w. the photo attached is my share of the hunt.

From: Cheryl S. Sent: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 18:10:35 -0700. Subject: morel mushroom in southern Iowa we found 5 very small mushrooms today Tue Apr.6/04 here are the pictures hope you can find them.

Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 20:42:15 -0500. Hello There, Fellow mushroom hunters...I have the fist sightings in Southwest, Iowa... Council Bluffs in Pottawatamie County. I found a dozen of them..10 were black and two of them were grey. Half of them were small, but the other half of them were bigger than my thumb. The high temperature for today was 63 degrees. The high for tomorrow is suppose to be in the 70's...that should really bring them out!!!!! I'll let you guys know. Thanks and Happy Hunting, Remel S.

Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 15:28:29 -0500. April 13: Hello everyone! I was walking on a south facing slope near the river in Linn county (near Cedar Rapids) when I found one morel. It was about 1.5 inches tall and it was in desperate need of moisture. Our temps are warming up and there is rain in the forecast so it won't be long! Melissa

Sent: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 13:59:32 -0500. Subject: small one. for the easter weekend we went to my wifes parents in Chariton county Missouri and in their front yard i found 2 very small morels. I have never seen them so small before so I got some pictures of them for you to see. Conway in Iowa

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 14:26:50 -0500. Subject: Iowa sighting... Went out today and found 25 little grays....Brad in Johnson County Iowa. Man do we need rain.

From: Donny G. Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 18:53:24 -0700 (PDT). Subject: They're here!!! OH HAPPY DAY !!! Mom and I went out today and we finally found some shrooms...about 30 nice ones in about an hour and a half, mostly medium and small grays but a few nice yellows. Saw a lot of people out hunting in the same area and they all had just about as many...we're kinda suprized cause it is still kinda early and a bit dry but they were there. Hunted in the woods south of Missouri Valley, Iowa near Wilson Island state park... We can't wait to see what the rains will bring!!!

From: Lori S. Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 20:37:48 -0500. Subject: Iowa finding. Found tonight in Central Iowa (Boone)

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 23:08:08 EDT. Subject: Iowa morels. I'm from Des Moines Iowa. I picked 104 assorted grey and yellow morels today. Tops of ridges seemed to be where they were. It's wet enough for a few days of pickin but we'll need rain soon. Nick

From: Kathy B. Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 07:41:46 -0500. Iowa. Finally some rain and the morels followed! Found about a dozen small to medium size grays yesterday in about ten minutes! Am going out this afternoon for a full assault. The ones I found were on a flat fence line with lots of sun! Iowa City ­ Johnson County

From: Adam G. Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 11:14:55 -0500. Subject: Iowa Morels. Found 20 grays and yellows yesterday, April 22nd, in Johnson county Iowa . All were along the very top of North and Northeast facing ridge lines. Most were small with the exception of one large gray.

From: "Rick and Tracy" Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 18:19:24 -0500. Subject: Poweshiek County, central Iowa April 22 2004. I found 38 small grey mushrooms yesterday on top of timber hills around elm trees!!! Some were pretty small but one was at least 1 1/2 inches tall. Hard to find because of all the leaves! I was really happy with what I found the first time out. My; sister stole all of them so I went out April 23 and picked 25 greys in covered timber / East-facing hills. I came home and went up on the ridges along Iowa River and started finding small yellows!!! It is dry out in the timber but they're talking rain all weekend so in 3 or 4 days we will be in pig-heaven!!! (caution- the ticks are really bad this year- already), but I didn't see a big cat to chase me out of the timber, so took my dog with me just in case. Seven month old puppy wasn't good at finding mushrooms , just wanted to play with me every time I found a mushroom. I would pick 2 mushrooms and push him out of the way. Puppy stays home next time! It's going to be a good year if we get the rain this weekend, let's hope!! Sorry about the people who don't live in Iowa where the mushrooms abound. They sure are good!!!!! But I'm sure you have access to things we don't get here.

From: Sarah W. Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 18:30:14 -0500. Subject: Benton County Iowa. Found a few medium yellows today.

Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 19:52:06 EDT. Subject: shrooms. 4-21-04 jim from Des Moines, city limits, 40-50 grays and medium yellows. 4-22, 24 small grays. More rain for Sat. hopefully more, need Heat.

From: David Y. Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 17:44:33 -0500. Subject: MGI PhotoSuite III digital photo. Hey to you, 34 grays found 4/24/04 Blackhawk County, Iowa. Thanks and good luck

Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 06:51:10 -0500. Subject: humboldt County, IA siteings. From Phil M. Sunday April 25 found 7 grays. They were on the south side of a ravine along the West Des Moines river in Humboldt Co. Had a nice rain over the weekend. Now if it would only warm up.............

Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 09:44:53 -0500. Subject: Iowa Is Popping! Found 79 grays on Thur, 04/22 about 8 miles east of Cedar Rapids. Followed this up with 95 assorted grays and yellows on Sat, 04/24 and 45 assorted on Sun, 04/25 in an area around 20 miles southeast of Cedar Rapids. Most were in the 1.5 to 3.5 inch category!! Happy Hunting! Bopper

Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 23:44:40 EDT. Matt K. first search of the year produced 20 black small shrooms in the high timber areas here in Sioux City, IA. We searched the same hunny pot area we took two large bags from last year. I call the sight "the twins" due to the fact I could see two 8" mushrooms side by side from about 20' away. My what a sight, when I strolled closer with my buddy a giant field erupted in front of us covering the side of a south facing slope of a large wooded area. I hope have a day that will compare to this one some time soon. We had enough to give 5 one gallon zip lock bags away to family and friends. To all the shroom hunters out there and near us if you know some one who isn't haveing any luck and you hit the honey pot please share with your less fortunate co-hunters. Don't make us break down and do the nasty and go out and buy some!

Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 16:58:34 -0500. Subject: re: SIGHTINGS. Greetings:. It has been busy the last three weekends. 04/17/04 Blenco IA just up after rain. Picked 3 to 4 hundred early grays small size. 04/24/04 McCook S.D. gray and small common yellows some good size. 04/30/04 Vermillion S.D. grays and yellows again good size. L.T. and Kaye

Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 08:02:25 -0500. Subject: Iowa Shrooms. 5/1/04 - Third day hunting in my favorite area. First two days netted a total of 8 grey and yellow mushrooms. Then, eureka! 101 assorted greys and yellows all found along Saylorville Lake. All were found on the North side of hilltops just below the flat areas. South facing slopes had the remains of mushrooms all badly decomposed with mold growing on them. Good Luck. Mark C.

Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 14:14:16 EDT. Subject: Mushrooms. Jim from Des Moines, 5-1, S.E. Iowa, approx. 300, medium grays and yellows, 15 lbs. Had lots of rain 4-30, sunny and 70-75. there comming on strong.

Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 18:44:40 -0500. Subject: DY from Blackhawk Co. Iowa, 116 shrooms on 4-30-04 Good luck - Kind of strange season--probably from lack of moisture. Happy Hunting

From: Steve M. Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 09:44:28 -0500. Subject: Morels. I was turkey hunting in Monroe County in Southern Iowa, and took some time out for mushroom hunting Thursday, April 29. Found about 50, but they were all fairly small and dry. They did get some rain Friday, so maybe things will improve.

Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 13:01:07 -0500. Subject: May Day. It's always nice to find a 4 banger. My 12 year old son on May 1st. 2004, Ryan, Cedar Rapids, IA. Morels found in Central Eastern Iowa.

Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 22:41:46 -0500. Subject: Morels in Iowa. From: Dawn S. Found about a dozen large greys today, May 2nd in Benton County in a grassy field..........was our first find this year.. not much but they sure were good :) They seem to be running later this year...we will go hunting this weekend again, will report back if we get any.

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 15:31:14 -0500. Subject: re: sightings. Greetings from L.T. and Kaye: Things are really popping up. Both in N.W. Iowa and S.E. South Dakota. Blenco IA. The yellows are up and getting big. Sioux City IA. Port Neal Landing by the power house and at the Bend on the Mo. River. Vermillion S.D. yellows and grays McCook S.D. even found some of the larger club footed base morels A few at Newton Hills State Park in Canton S.D. Looking forward to a busy weekend....

Date: Sat, 8 May 2004 08:59:49 EDT. Subject: morel findings in central Iowa. I found 7 real nice sized yellows in Story County on Friday evening, May 7. I thought I was not going to have a taste of any this year. I was lucky. I found them in a spot that had not produced in the last 2 years and I thought it was all shroomed out. Ro

Date: Sat, 8 May 2004 20:16:32 -0500. Subject: MGI PhotoSuite III digital photo. Mushroom finds. Hey again, Found these 5/7/04. Blackhawk Co. Ia. We got rain 5/8/04 so mothers day should be good, and don't forget to thank your mother . Good luck to all, and with any luck at all, the giant ones are on the way, you know, the web footed ones. DY from Blackhawk Co. Ia.,

Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 08:27:57 -0500. Subject: Morels in Iowa. From Dawn. Friends went out this weekend and filled a large cooler half way of big morels in Benton county, got 16 quarts bags filled them plus lots to eat as well. Should have one more good weekend of hunting left.

Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 18:13:07 EDT. Matt K. Sgt Bluff Ia: we have a unique area near in this city 3 miles from the rive and 1 mile from a bluff loess hill area about ten days ago i collected approx 70 small to meduim white morels jutting out of a west facing river bank. Yesterday 5/10/04 I found aprrox 50 meduim to large morels in the bluff area near the tree line on a N/W facing slope. Alot of mushrooms were starting to get a little dry, received some rain last night. Hopefully that inproves our hunting.

From: Steve M. Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 09:34:45 -0500. Subject: morels. Monroe and Appanoose Counties in Southern Iowa, hunted May 8 & 9, also talked to several farmers. There are none to be found, it is too dry.

From: Rob W. Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 14:47:23 -0500. Subject: Morel pics NE Iowa. Well, I thought we were done for the year but it's amazing what you find when you travel North. Some of the lager one's I have seen this year. They seem to taste better when you think it's your last meal of the year. These pics were taken in Northern Iowa, 05/16/04.

 


Kansas:

From: Todd. Sent: Sat, 6 Mar 2004 19:40:27 -0600 (Central Standard Time) Subject: Mushroom sighting - Atchison, KS - 2-4-2004. Although not a morel... (related to the morel family) February 4, 2004. Atchison, KS - Todd L. found 5.5 lbs. of Oyster mushrooms on the southeast side of a dying white oak beneath shedding bark. Got home, cleaned them up and had a feast. MMMMmmmm.... it's good to be a fun-gi...

Sent: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 08:19:06 -0600. Subject: Morel find in Kansas. I couldn' t go, but my brother found first six yellows of the year on drift sand in Reno Co on Sunday March 28. Nason J.

Sent: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 21:06:22 -0600. Subject: Kansas Reporting In. Tuesday, March 30, 2004 - We found 6 grey Morels in Southeastern Kansas. Kent

Sent: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 08:45:51 -0600. Subject: Kansas Morels. The morels are up in southeast Kansas. Plenty of them about an inch tall. David SEK

From: Todd Sent: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 18:29:24 -0600 (Central Standard Time). Subject: Morel sighting in NE Kansas. Hi Tom, it was a mild but beautiful day, temperatures around the upper 50s, and no wind... a perfect day for hunting considering it's rained quite nicely the past week or so... Every one of these baby grays was found very close to a cut stump or a rotted fall. Lots of leaf cover to sort through.. YES The season has begun!

From: Roger. Date: Thu, 01 Apr 2004 16:46:56 -0600. Subject: Linn County Kansas. 4/01/2004 First day out looking and found 3 small grays/whites. Well hidden on the eastern slope of coal dumps about 25-30 feet from a water flow from a spring. All within close proximity of each other.

Sent: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 22:38:06 -0600. Subject: Kansas. Paul in Holton Ks. found 20 small greys today. All were under cottonwoods on the North bank of a river. The biggest was approx. 2" tall. What a blast. Earliest that I have ever found shrooms here.

Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2004 21:16:58 -0600. Subject: Find in Kansas. From: Mark, 04/01/2004, Kingman County Kansas. My first day out this season and found 2 dozen grays all in one patch. I also found a big bunch of false morels nearby. Looks like a promising year.

From: Roger Sent: Sat, 03 Apr 2004 13:37:06 -0600. Subject: Linn County Kansas. 4-03-04 Went looking again today and found about 15 small grays/whites about as big as the first bunch (end of thumb). Also a couple "Elephant Ears". Might let you know that in 2002 I posted a finding as "Scotsman" just so you know its me and you can keep better track of me! Bring on the "Humidity" and "Happy Hunting"!!! :)

Sent: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 13:45:32 -0500. Subject: morels in Pottawatomie County, Kansas (Manhattan area). This morning I found 15 teeny white morels in my pasture in Pottawatomie county, about 8 miles east of Manhattan, on a north facing slope where they always come up. They were completely out in the open where the horses graze, and none were taller than 1.5 to 2 inches - never would have found them in the woods! It is still a bit too dry here, though, and later this week should be better if we get the predicted rain. Judy

From: fred d. Sent: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 20:01:30 -0500. Subject: sightings. Found a big red false morel today, I dont think it has been quite warm enough, and it is starting to dry out some also. Coffey County, Kansas

Sent: Friday, April 09, 2004 11:03 AM. Subject: Found Mushrooms in KS. My sister and I found about 8 small grays yesterday, April 8th just north of Louisburg, KS. This is the earliest we have ever found as we usually don't find until after at least the 20th. Can't wait to find more. Jana and Mary, Cleveland, MO residents.

Sent: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 17:10:32 EDT. Subject: first find. Went out this morning and found 20 grey morels . 3 days earlier than last year. looking forward to hunt in magnolia. T-Bone. Miami county, Kansas

From: fred d. Sent: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 10:10:20 -0500. Subject: kansas mushrooms. i am in coffey county kansas, which is east central part of state. Found one big red beefsteak two days ago, been pretty cool and started to get dry. Got rain this weekend and looks like warm temps coming mid week. Hopefully the change in weather coming will get em poppin up

Sent: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 22:12:58 EDT. Tom, Have been finding little grey morels for the last 3 days total of 90 so far. nights here starting to get cold again, high 30's you dont think that will shut them down do you. T_Bone south east Kansas,Miami County.

Sent: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 16:01:48 -0500 (Central Standard Time). Subject: morels. please send me your ink and paper catalog, sounds interesting. I live in south central Kansas and we have found several sacks full of grays and yellows on this Easter wknd. Deb

Sent: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 14:41:53 -0400. Subject: RE: Found Mushrooms in KS. Found another 17 on Friday the 4/9 and 24 on Sunday 4/11. Jana and Mary

Sent: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 16:12:26 +0000 (GMT). Subject: Found some in N.E. Kansas. Hello, Tom. This is jethro from Overland Park, Kansas. I went out near the Kansas river in Wyandotte county and found a few thumb sized yellow morels. In sandy soil near still-standing dead hardwood trees. Need rain and warmer temps. These morels were found 4/11/04. thanks, jethro

Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 10:55 AM. Subject: Morel find KS 4-9-04. 47 very small greys found 4-9-04, Leavenworth County, KS. smallest mushrooms and earliest we have found, actually ate morels on Easter Sunday, first time for that. more are just around the corner. Anonymous

Sent: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 10:54:55 -0500. Subject: Morel find KS 4-9-04. 47 very small greys found 4-9-04, Leavenworth County, KS. smallest mushrooms and earliest we have found, actually ate morels on Easter Sunday, first time for that. more are just around the corner. Anonymous

Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 18:21:24 -0600 (GMT-06:00) Subject: mushrooms found. April 14th found all these greys in one patch. By Fort Riley. Crystal and Tyler, Junction City, Ks Geary County.

Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 17:11:38 EDT Subject: Finding shrooms in the land of OZ. Started finding greys ( 90 ) on south east side of ravine here in south east Kansas ( Miami county ) good start to what i hope is a great season. Good luck to all shroomers. T BONE OSAWATOMIE Ks.

From: mshipwright. Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 10:13:00 -0500. Subject: Morels in Kansas. Went out on Sunday, April 25th in Douglas County, Kansas. Found 25 nice yellow morels, very fresh. Found a couple that were dried out already but appears the recent rains helped out with a new crop. Most morels found on the northwest side of hills in the timber. Good luck to all!!!

Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 07:06:49 -0700 (PDT). Tom, Thanks for the response. On April 24th & 25th we were just north of Ft. Riley, KS. And found 15 lbs. of medium sized whites & a few big yellows. I think they're just now starting to pop up. We're going to try nebraska this weekend, and will post our results again after this weekend. Rick C.


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Kentucky:

Sent: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 09:35:03 -0600. Subject: Kentucky morels. To all-The Morels are out in western Ky! We found 16 black ones march 29. Webster & Union county area. We now have the hunting fever. Happy Hunting. The Redneck Tech Team

Sent: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 14:02:41 -0400. Subject: Morels found in Kentucky. Tom, I recently ordered two walking sticks from you guys and they must have worked. That first trip blindness was easier to cope with considering the hickory stick I used gave me something to look at. Anyway, I found 15 yellow morels in Letcher County, Kentucky on April 5, 2004. I believe this is the first sightings for Kentucky on your website.Thanks, Justin B.

Sent: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 00:16:12 -0400. Subject: Sighting in KY 4/07/04. Tom, just to let you know I have found a few here in Greenup County, Kentucky. If we get the rain on Easter as predicted then I would say they'll be popping everywhere here. Randy

Sent: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 11:13:52 -0400. Subject: Morels in Kentucky. In Letcher County, SE Kentucky, I found 15 yellows on April 5th and found 14 yellows and 2 blacks on April 11th. Justin B.

Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 08:11:07 -0400. Subject: Morels in Kentucky. Went out in the same honey hole in Letcher County on the 15th and found 84 yellows and they were huge. The rain and sun has brought them out. I expect another good hunt in at least a week or so. Total so far this year is 115. Thanks, Justin

From: Joness. Sent: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 21:10:30 EDT. Subject: shrooms. Just thought you might like to see these late Ky shrooms found 4/27/2004. I've heard of "Big Yellows", but I'm going bananas trying to identify that one in the middle!


Louisiana:

Sent: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 11:00:36 EDT. Subject: Help! Can you tell me if morel mushrooms grow in Louisiana? I've moved here from Ill. and miss so very much going mushroom hunting, I hope you can help if you can't do you know someone who can? Thank You. Shawn. Hi Shawn, I've never hunted the south so maybe the best advice I can give you is to contact Leroy Paden of the NMMHA I believe he hunts the south on a regular basis.


Manitoba:

Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 23:12:26 -0500. Subject: Found Morels in Maintoba. Found a handful of morels after a trip to the garter snake pit just south of Narcisse, Manitoba, north of Winnipeg. (We call them "smooshee", the Ukrainian word for morels.) By the way, we found them on May 16. (This was after a freak snow storm we had the Tuesday before of over 30 cm, or 12 inches.) Will be going out for more soon. James

 


Maryland:

Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 12:26:05 -0700 (PDT). Subject: Rockville, MD (Montgomery County). Found: 5 good-sized yellows (3-5"). Location details: Growing among cleavers, chickweed and pine needles from a nearby "Landscaper's pine". Other information: Temperatures have been in the mid to low 50's (about 10 degrees lower than normal) and night time temps have been in the low 40's. We HAVE been getting a lot of rain and these are in a spot that gets a fair amount of sun so that may explain why they came up. Not that I'm complaining. Happy Hunting folks! -jk

Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 14:19:28 -0400. Subject: My First This Year. Found my first (small) yellow this year, in southern Maryland, about 10 miles from the Bay. I don't have a "hot" spot to speak of, but my three wooded acres plus surrounds provide at least a taste each year and I don't have to go far! ThreeGood

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 00:15:13 -0400. Subject: Mushroom find. Sat April 17th, Found 4 small greys North central Md. South east Exposure in Popular Grove. Have had other reports of 17 and 30 in same area. Good Luck!! Spank

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 20:40:05 -0400. Subject: Maryland Morels. April 18th, Found 30 beautiful blacks frome one to four inches in size. Found in northern maryland in leaf litter with surrounding wild cherry, cotton wood, locust, tulip poplar and cedar trees. Thats the good news, the bad news is that they tasted horrible, so the rest of you marylanders may as well give up:) Love, the morel mafia

From: Alena. Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 01:42:32 EDT. Subject: morels in MD. This is a repeat, dont know if you got the first report, Date April 18, found 30 black morels north of baltimore city, went out on the 19th and nothing, too hot (90's)

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 16:34:32 -0400. Subject: Slow start in central Maryland 4-24-04. Finally caught up to a few morels. My first one was an old cappy broken into two pieces. My second spot was a bit better, I found 3 rather large grays together, and about four more throughout the area around Hickory Trees. Sunday, I tried another spot, but had with minimal luck again, just one nice gray, and a small yellow. I guess things are a bit slow this year. Morel Dude

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 19:32:28 -0400. Subject: Maryland morels. Sun April 25. found 135 yellows near some downed elm trees on c & o canal. central part of the state. Spank

From: Raetz. Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 20:32:58 -0400. Subject: MD Morel April 25. Found four greys in Central MD; first of the year, and first-ever find for my beautiful wife....

Date: Sun, 09 May 2004 11:43:11 -0400. Subject: Maryland Morels. We've been finding morels since May 4, 2004 in the woods west of Baltimore, Maryland in Baltimore County. The sizes have been good, however there have been far fewer than previous years. Hopefully they're just running late this year. Mike D.


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Maine:

 


Massachusetts:

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 08:26:36 -0400. Subject: Massachusetts Morels. I noticed on your recent Morel Map that someone in Massachusetts found a morel. I have been hunting morels in MA for several years now and have only found false morels. I do find lots of other edible mushrooms and have a large area for Chanterelles and choice Boletus. Would it be possible to forward my message to possibly get together with someone else from MA that might be interested in a fellow wild mushroom hunter in a possible location trade? Thanks, Jerry Anyone in MA, If you're interested in helping Jerry out, send us an email saying so and we will give you Jerry's email address.

Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 12:09:11 -0400. Subject: MA sightings. I found 2 small yellows in the CT Valley area of MA on 4/30. Despite my eagerness to savor the taste, I decided to let them grow up and go back in a few days. Heard a report of someone finding a bag full of blacks in higher terrain on 4/27. We just had some decent rains and temps are forecast in the 60s and 70s , so, I'm looking forward to some excellent hunting in the next week or so. Marty

Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 22:15:43 EDT. Subject: berkshire county western ma.. hi! i found my first five morels on may 4,early for the berkshires! five more today...........a mix of small blacks and grays, my favorites,so it looks like we are off to a good start! berkshire hill

Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 20:49:16 -0400. Subject: Sighting reported on Cape Cod, Mass. Hi, we're reporting a sighting of approximately 1 dozen yellow morels in the Great Island area of Cape Cod, Mass (a very scenic private island)....much further east (about as far east as you can go in Mass) We'll send pics tomorrow! Thank you. Heidi Parent, Rulon Wilcox

From: Heidi P. Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 21:34:41 -0400. Subject: sighting on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. my uncle found about 2 dozen morels on May 16-17 May, 2004 in the rustic region of Great Island, which is in the town of Yarmouth on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. This is a very rural private island linked to the mainland by a causeway...they were found hiding under a boardwalk...near my uncles oyster tables. This is a very windy coastal are, but untouched...We think this is the first time that any have been found on Cape Cod...but we're interested to know if anyone else has found any on the Cape or anywhere further east than the Berkshire region of Massachusetts...Thanks

Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 15:32:05 -0400. Subject: Morel finds in MA. One of your mushroomers asked if anyone found morels in MA. I found a few: 1) One yellow morel in Falmouth on the Cape near the beach in fairly new wood chips...May ~22, 2002 2) About a dozen yellow morels in North Andover in early may in the 1980's. One in the same place the next year. 3) No luck in the same place in 2003 and 2004 but other people were looking in the same place this year so they must be there somewhere. Jake H


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Michigan:

Date: Thu, 01 Apr 2004 20:11:06 -0500. just found 65 today 4/01/04 it was great . this year should be just great lots of rain here in michigan .. good luck to all. Jamie P. Jamie, What part of Michigan? Some are surely going to think you're playing a April Fool's Day joke. Any thoughts as to why they are so early? Possilbly you're along Lake Michigan? Date: Sat, 03 Apr 2004 17:22:43 -0500. Yes i am not far from the lake in the lower west part of the state. And no this was not an april fools joke and if no one is looking that leaves more for me. But i have not found any since then. Good luck to all. Jamie P. I've heard of this before which is why I asked if you were near the lake. You have "lake effect snow" in the winter and "lake effect morels" in the early spring.

From: scotty Sent: Sun, 04 Apr 2004 22:56:10 -0400. Subject: morels in michigan. today was the second time i was in the woods this year. good news!! we found 12 small, very small grey mushrooms. the woods are coming alive and the snakes and bees were out even though it was only 43 degrees. very odd i thought. but we did it. we found 12 morels too small to even consider picking. we found them in midmichigan near FLINT. thanks goes out to "MOSSMAN" he actually found the first of the day!

Sent: Mon, 5 Apr 2004 00:05:56 -0400. Subject: shrooms To All. Found these little ones in Michigan today left them to grow. They where found more than 50 miles north of the state line and more than 80 miles inland. Better get to looking, Better yet just let them grow up a bit I left these....Good luck, Donna V

Sent: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 17:36:47 -0700 (PDT). Subject: michigan morel find. Morel's found in central lower michigan -- Me and a friend found 36 small black morels in ionia county michigan on April 9th - very small 1/2" to 1-1/2" and very hard to find in the leaves. Its not very good morel weather here but we had the itch and seasoned the skillet today. good luck all. little-shroomer-michigan

From: Ingrao. Sent: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 05:12:00 EDT. Subject: 1" blacks. i went out hunting for the first morel in oakland county today. and i found a dozen blacks. 4/ 04/04. i juat wanted yous to know its go time in lower michigan. they are only 1" on the high side. have fun hunting

From: scotty. Sent: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 11:58:43 -0400. Subject: michigan morels. well they are here. small grey morels, no bigger than your pinky nail. with some luck and lots of warm rain they will be here in full force. we found a 20 small greys near Flint, michigan. i know we are all doin rain dances here. lol. hope everyone has a good season, i will see you in the woods.

From: Tracy N. Sent: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 20:07:53 -0400. Subject: Waiting patiently! We live in Mid-Michigan and we are patiently awaiting the arrival of mushroom season. I have taken several walks in the woods but haven't seen anything. We need a couple of warm days (at least no frost at night!) and a nice rain. The immediate forecast isn't promising but we aren't giving up hope! In northern Michigan there are still a few spots with snow in the woods. Good luck! See you in the woods (hopefully in your spot, not mine!).

From: SIMONS FAMILY. Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 18:52:45 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: Morel progress in michigan. Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 17:00-19:00-Chelsea, MI- Went looking! Nothing yet. Not enough moisture, need more rain this coming week. Looks like it will be a good year.

Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 09:35:16 -0500. Monday 4/20/04 -15 miles south of Houghton lake. went to my south facing hill and found 4 small blacks. We got some rain and warm temps.So Im going to give it 4 days, that should do it. Good luck to all. Alphawolf

Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 04:59:03 -0700 (PDT). Subject: michigan morels. Hello, little-shroomer again with more morels to report from south central michigan, A friend and I pickes 60 black morels this past weekend April 16th-17th. We walked a few miles to find these so we need rain and a week of warm weather. good luck all. al h. -- little-shroomer-MICHIGAN

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 13:40:35 EDT. Subject: First few this year. Just lettin you know I found this years first 4 in Berrien county Michigan today. This area needs rain badly and few more warm days. Good luck!! Holmes 4/22/04

From: scotty. Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 22:06:29 -0400. Subject: few more. well it is definetly GO TIME in mid michigan. found a few dozen fresh black morels. yummy is an understatement. temps have been in the 60's but no rain......if it STORMS we will be blessed with a HUGE bounty of shrooms. get out there and look. leave only footprints.

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 16:14:17 -0700 (PDT). Subject: Michigan Sighting. Sighting for Michigan, Found 7 small greys Kalamazoo County. Ryn

Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 22:08:51 -0400. Subject: No luck! Well, we went exploring today, Saturday, and had no luck. We were in the northern central part of Michigan (Missaukee Co. and thereabouts) and it is still quite early. We haven't been out too much more in mid-Michigan (Isabella Co.) since Thursday, but we only found two at that time. We are due for some rain tonight so it should pick up on Monday or so. Keep you posted. Looking forward to finding some tangible fungi!!! Tracy

From: pattijeff. Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 21:24:34 -0500. Subject: letter. we all went to lansing today 4/24/04 but it was about a week to early we found musrooms but they were small as you can see about three quarters of an inch had a great time though got to get ready for next weekend.

Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 00:47:02 -0400. Subject: josh. This is Josh from ionia county MI. I found 25 greys today 4/25/04 we just got some rain and it looks like its going to be a wonderful year.

From: lbushey. Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 07:00:38 -0400. Subject: morel sightings. I found 2 gray morels yesterday, 4/25/04 in southeastern michigan. We had rain the night before and that morning.

Sent: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 00:40:37 -0400. Subject: JOSH. Hello this is JOSH from ionia county MI. I found 25 greys today. 4/25/04. we just got some rain looks like a wonderful year for morels.

Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 17:26:49 +0000. Subject: bad luck. Tuesday April 26, 2004. My wife and I have had nothing but bad luck finding any mushrooms this year (so far) in southwestern lower Michigan. We have been out 4 times now and just today found 2 dried old black ones. Did we miss the season on blacks? Normally at this time last year we would start looking for the white ones. But after hunting a couple of weekends we thought we would see the blacks first. What's up with this season? We also head north around Mother's Day for the big hunt..... I don't know what to do about this year.... "Mike in Niles"...

Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 12:44:27 -0700 (PDT). Michigan sighting Drove north {Lake County} last Saturday 4/24 /04 found 63 fresh blacks just me four hours. Most were small but a couple were four inch fifty cent piece diameter hoggie dog variety found in the leeks.... Ryn Kalamazoo County

Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 20:25:35 -0400 (EDT) Subject: michigan morels. hi to all hunters we have had the worst weather but we still found them the small greys about 130 of them in two days. i went up to howard city last week and found three small blacks my friend aron found 12. me and my best friend brad my 15 year old son are having the time of our life. from ionia michigan pete and brad

Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 07:27:40 EDT. Subject: Sighting. We are from the Newaygo, MI. area. My husband found 15-20 blacks so far and my son Jake found one grey yesterday!!! Finally - they are on the way! Its supposed to rain all weekend- today is supposed to be like 80 degrees too- hope that gets em popping!!! happy hunting! Angelshroom

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 17:43:25 -0700 (PDT). Subject: michigan greys & blacks. morel report from barry county michigan, little - shroomer here found 10 greys and a few blacks in the last few days, left some of the greys to grow. see pic. seems dry here morels are not numorous. good luck hunters. al h.

From: Hartung. Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 08:08:44 -0500. Subject: finds. Well it's May 1,2004 My husband an i have been looking for about 3 weeks and today we finally found 6 little grey's oh we are finally getting the rain so maybe we won't have to wander sooo far we are in southern Mi GOOD LUCK SHROOMERS!!

Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 18:27:31 -0400. Subject: Pretty good Weekend! Well, we are still here in Mid-Michigan and they are popping quite a bit since last Wednesday. A good day of moisture on Tue-Wed then a little bit of heat. A lot more moisture on Friday, but not much heat! We have found about 100 this week on public property and about the same on some private land. They are mostly pretty big black ones and seem to be at the end of their season already. Only 20 miles north they were just coming into their prime. We even found three small whites! They looked like they showed up for the party in the wrong attire! Looks like a little more moisture this week and some warmer temps by the end of the week so we will probably be heading north and see how they are doing. Good luck everyone!! Tracy N.

Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 20:45:43 EDT. Just back from Mesick/Cadillac MI "big woods". Hunting is dismal - - - lots of rain but cold cold cold, light snow this AM and below freezing most nights last week and a half. Found maybe 40 - 50 blacks (small) so far. Been trying for almost 2 weeks. Only found 2 today!!! Mother Day's week-end (traditional hunting time for this area) does not look good at all. Plenty of moisture just need heat. Happy hunting everyone. Mike & Pat

From: Lori & Bill W. Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 11:13:40 -0700 (PDT). Subject: Cadillac Michigan Mushroom Find. We went out Saturday and Sunday in Cadillac, MI and found 225 blacks and 25 whites (some call them yellows). It filled 5 strawberry quarts. Definately need rain but they are out there if you can find the right spot. In a couple of spots we were able to see them from the truck!! We found one spot that we picked 110 of the blacks in just that spot. We were on hands and knees picking!! See you at the Boyne City festival.

From: kellie s. Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 12:17:30 -0700 (PDT). Subject: morels. finding mushrooms in norther michigan you relay got to look but thy been out for about 3weeks now good luck to all

Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 21:29:37 EDT. Subject: Black Morels. Its a poor year in northern Michigan so far. The weather has not been good for the shroons. I've only found 200+ so far and they are on the small side. My normal pickings for this this time are at least 1000. Short-term weather forceast does not show any improvements. It will be another week or so before the blacks peak (if they do this year). I'm glad that last year was good (found over 70lbs, compared to normal of 40 lbs). I have a few dried to get me through 'til next year though. Hope that I don't see any of you in my neck of the woods. spk.

From: shroomin4 Sent: Mon, 3 May 2004 07:45:35 -0400. Hi! We are in mid MI, found about 70 greys Sunday and a few whites-just in the backyard. We were supprised with it being so chilly here

From: Matt&Amy. Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 10:02:59 -0700. Subject: Not looking too Good. A group of 10 of us went to Mesic on Mothers day weekend and only found about 40-50 black morels, a few greys and whites. I don't know if it is going to be a late season or what, but last year we found approximately 1,600 shrooms. I am going to check in my area near Lansing and see if they are coming up here.

From: JMichuda. Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 21:18:32 EDT. Subject: cadillac hunting. just returned from cadillac hunted for two days with another guy in Manistee National Forest, Michigan. Very sparse a couple greys not much growing up there yet. Plenty of moisture and sun. Saw only three campers. Guess most people knew its early.. Headed south 60 miles and found fifty greys and yellow morels. We hunted a good eight hours each day on public ground. Wish we were south for both days. Walked right up on a turkey nest and grouse nest only 30 ft. apart. Checked on the turkey nest an hour later and all but one egg was moved to another location! Crazy! May 14th

Date: Sat, 15 May 2004 23:36:04 EDT. Subject: morel fever. Well its official the morels have reached Northern Michigan...we are located in Marquette County, Marquette MI...We had three days of solid rain and one day of sun, about 55 for the high ...We found about two hundred of them in North Republic, half hour drive...cant wait for the next rain...gotta love the U.P. EH! mushroom nut

Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 22:31:11 EDT. Subject: michigan morels. Started finding morels around Marquette on May 7th but the 21 was the best so far, found a new spot and filled a five pound onion bag. went out again today and got 1/2 of the bag full, with all the rain there should be more out there, just look there are everywhere. Basal

Date: Sat, 29 May 2004 08:33:57 -0500. Subject: mother load Hello Fellow Shroomers : Hartung Well lots of prep for this hunt up north in God's country every year for the last 7 or 8 yrs I have heard stories of all the mother loads; we had only ever found one or two so , I had become pretty sckipical of this. Well GUYS its true, the mushroom god delivered to me this year we went hunting this year inspite the weather and to my suprise I was in a never ending patch,my husband and his brother were with me ,I wish you could of seen us we were grinning like kids who found all the easter eggs.LOL we hauled out approx 60lbs in a weeks time .Oh i forgot it was May 15,2004 in central northern MI THUMBS UP everyone


Minnesota:

From: Alan & Esme. Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 09:27:10 -0500. Subject: Morels. Houston Minnesota: Found about a dozen on west facing slopes; 2-3 inches.April 28

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 16:50:55 -0500. Subject: MN southeast. Hi Mitch here.4 /25/04. Went out today for 45 minutes to a south facing slope.No finds good wet factor having had several rains of late .Still a little on the cool side though.

From: Chris N. Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 11:34:10 -0500 (Central Daylight Time). Subject: morels and Minnesota. I just got back from picking about 30 nice black one from behind the house in Winona County (southeastern part of the state). I found them under two oak trees.

From: CRAIG S. Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 18:36:55 -0500. Subject: mushrooms. found 2 small morels at base of old elm very small another week should be great . st.paul mn.

Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 07:59:03 -0500. Subject: minnesota find. It has begun! I found three small morels in my usual spots close to the twin cities. I am looking forward to a good season here. Thanks. Byron

Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 18:05:57 -0500. : Dakota Cnty. OK MN dudes - you beat me to it this year. Found 3 small grays in my normal early season spot in Dakota County this afternoon. Going out this evening so will post again. Lot's of sunlight and the prickly ash (OUCH!) Good luck to all. Digger

Date: Sat, 8 May 2004 18:30:02 -0500. Still working on it - nothing more Thurs night but did well Sat morning. 1 1/2 lb - prickly ash but surprisingly in more shady areas. The sunny spots seem to be too dry but should produce after the rain that is expected tonite. Good luck. DIGGER


Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 07:20:44 -0500. Hello, I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that this year has been the best year for me in a long time. I'm from Waconia, MN. We've been having rain off and on for about two weeks now. I try to go out every third day when the weather permits me to do so. The total morels I have found this year is 91. There are all about 5" tall. Steve B

Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 15:59:53 -0500. Subject: Morel Find. 26 May 2004 - Washington Co., eastern MN: Found 9 morels (maybe yellows) under apple trees in backyard. First known find. This one is the best looking one and stands about 5.5 inches. Linda

From: Ed. Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 13:54:02 -0500. Subject: Twin Cities Morels. Found 6 yellows 3-5 inches in the Shoreview area. Found on east facing slope under a larger elm tree just off a park trail.

From: Norman B. Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 08:35:18 -0500. Subject: morel sighting. Morels continue to be seen near landscaping wood chips in a friends yard. They began just before Memorial Weekend here in Duluth, MN


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Mississippi:

Sent: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 08:08:00 -0600. Subject: Mississippi morels. Found two "delisciosa" morels, very small, on Sunday March 28, 2004 in Union County, MS (north central). Specimens from the same spot last year were identified in the genetic study as "Taxon 2". Last year I found the first ones on April 1. These grow in a creek flat, in a stand of live and dead green ash trees. Indicator species: May apples are 8-10 inches tall, not yet fully developed but close. Trillium is blooming. Yellow poplar leaves (Tulip trees) are about 2-3" across, nearly half grown. Some red oak leaves are showing well, white oaks still in bud. In general, looking across the canopy, green is showing up with regularity, but no trees have fully developed leaves yet. Redbud is in full bloom, and the earliest flowering dogwoods are opening up. I've been looking every three or four days since early March, and these are the first I've found. Rain has been scanty since good rains the first week of March. No rain the second week, 0.8" the third week in two events, and no rain last week. We're getting showers today, so I'm expecting the main crop to jump up in the next two weeks! Temperature has been relatively warm, with no real frost this month. Temps the last week in the 70's and 80's daytime, 40's and 50's at night. Don S.-Keownville, MS

From: Danny R. Sent: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 15:31:34 -0500. Subject: morels in mississippi. Found 4 yellows today in north central Ms, in Yalobusha county. These are my first morels ever. I have been looking for about a moth now. We have had a dry March and April.

From: Holly Sent: Thu, 6 May 2004 22:46:20 EDT. Subject: morels in mississippi? Dear Morel Mamia, I was just wondering if you could tell why you don't see any morels in Mississippi? Fortunately I have friend in Ill. that invited me to their place to hunt morels this year for the first time in my life and I loved it. What a Blast! However I'm puzzled as to why you don't see them down here in Tupelo, Ms. I did bring some home and tried to populate my woods with them but I guess I won't be able to tell anything until next year, Right? Thank You,


Missouri:

From: Michael F. Sent: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 06:32:50 -0800. Subject: lets get started. Kansas City Missouri checking in here. Haven't officially started hunting yet just disturbing some early season bass and keeping one eye on the ground. Forecast for this week is mid to upper 70's with lows in the mid 50's with chances for rain most every day. Are these good conditions?? I rarely begin my searches before mid April and was wondering if these early warm temps will push the season back. At any rate I think the fishing pole will be traded in for my shroom stick at least for this week. Good luck all you hunters!!

Sent: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 07:11:54 -0600. Subject: shrooms! in southeast MIssouri, Cape Girardeau Co. Found eight nice size blacks first time out. Now the fun begins! Jean

From: "mark p." Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 19:52:18 -0600. Subject: first morels. hi tom there here mark p. from kc mo. went out today march 29 found 26 very small grays.

From: ben b.Sent: Fri, 2 Apr 2004 19:33:22 -0600. Subject: morel sightings. went out today 04-2-04 and found 3 black morels about 2in here in mid missouri

From: Micheal. Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2004 10:30:13 -0600. Subject: Morels. Lockwood boys- found our first morels of season today Sat. April 3 in KC. Found 7 small greys

Sent: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 17:25:15 -0500 Subject: First one! Hey Tom, just wanted to let you know, that the bloodroot is blooming, the mayapples are popping up, and that I found one small grey....about 1" tall today 4-4-04! I am located in Southeast Missouri in St. Francois County. Now we really could use some help with the temperatures--still a bit cool at night. I get the opportunity to go out everyday, so I will keep you posted! Thomas H.

Sent: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 22:06:19 EDT. Subject: Morel Sightings. Well, it is true, we have found some morels in Central Missouri. We found our first on 3/27, about 20, baby, teeny, tiny ones. If there was a size limit on morels, these would have been illegal. Then, on 4/1, we found about 60 more tiny morels. We found these on river bottoms. So it looks like good things to come.... From, Mushroom Annie

Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 6:58 AM. Subject: Morels. This is my second email, don't know where the first one went. I found eight nice size blacks on the 28th of March, and the next time l found 21, again,nice size, this was after a rain the day before.I am located in Southeast Mo. Cape Girardeau, Co. I went again April 4 and only found 2 small blacks. Do you think it is because of really low humidity and no rain? And will they start again after a rain hopefully? I know it's difficult to predict these little rascals but would appreciate your opinion. Thanks, Jean. I'm sorry your first email didn't get to us and we're glad you persevered. Low humidity and lack of rain will definitely slow the season down. And yes, they should start again after a rain - provided it doesn't take too long. It's still early in your season, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Sent: Thu, 8 Apr 2004 23:40:26 -0500. Subject: Red morels. Some guys from our office were "working" near Rolla and found about 50 big and fresh red mushrooms on apr. 6 They saw them from the road. Karl A. Remember, If it's reddish, you could be deadish. http://nt2.advant.com/kuocgi2/morels/introduction.html

Sent: Fri, 09 Apr 2004 20:09:34 -0500. Subject: kansas morels and question. Hello from Kansas city! Second year hunting morels was wondering how to pick them, cut them off or pull them up? Found thirty pounds last year in mid April, but one cup so far this year... So I'm hooked! Thank you, Sandy Hi Sandy, We always cut them slightly above ground level. Roots

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 10:35:16 -0500. Subject: Sighting-MO. Hi Tom, Thursday, April 7th we found 50 tiny grey mushrooms. It's cool and dry here. On Easter day we picked 75 in the same area. They too, were small. They whole lot was barely a quart. Theresa at Team Morel. Theresa is located in the Kansas City area. Visit Team-Morel at http://www.team-morel.com

Sent: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 21:38:14 -0500. Subject: missouri mushrooms. this is Tom in Creighton mo. Friday the 9th we found 46 mostly greys near the Henry- Cass county line then after a days rain on sat found 107 in about 45 mins Sunday was slower, only 24 in two hunts in two counties but they're just starting good .Gonna take an ag. class out tomorrow to look for some hope we find some. good luck and happy hunting

From: Mitch B. Sent: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 20:33:16 -0500. Subject: Central Illinois morels went Saturday 4/10/04 in Peoria area found 6 blacks all were a little dry tried sun. 4/11/04 and found nothing...pretty dry out there need some rain

From: Michael L. Sent: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 19:04:32 -0500. Subject: Morels in KC. MO. Found 25 nice size morels today Mon. April 12, Mostly on south facing slopes. Happy hunting

Sent: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 07:54:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Found mushrooms in Missouri!!!!!!!!!! Went mushroom huntin' on Easter in St.Clair, MO. (about 45 minutes west of St.Louis) Myself, and 2 others found over 120 Morels! The largest was about 4 inches tall. It was alot of fun! I can't wait to find my 1st "big un' " of the season! Eva H.

Sent: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 00:09:47 EDT. Subject: Clever MO. A dozen nice gray morels..........a nice taste for some good folks from Russia who had never had morels. As the moisture and temps improve I am sure there will be more. A great Easter treat. Doc

Sent: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 09:29:05 -0500. Subject: Morels in Southwest MO. Apparently my report from Sunday is in cyberspace. Found about a dozen medium sized and small greys on Easter Sunday in Clever MO. A good taste for a small group of people! Doc

 

Sent: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 13:59:32 -0500. Subject: small one. for the easter weekend we went to my wifes parents in Chariton county Missouri and in their front yard i found 2 very small morels. I have never seen them so small before so I got some pictures of them

Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 14:18:52 -0500. Subject: Trying once more, ......Morels in Southwest Missouri. Went out on Easter afternoon and things were VERY crunchy and didn't expect to find much of anything. Still with some new Russian friends and telling them what to look for we ended up with a dozen medium to small greys. Enough for everyone at easter dinner to have a taste and window into what is coming! If we get rain it should be a good harvest. I haven't seen mushrooms here this early before. Doc

Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 18:57:49 -0500. Subject: Morels in KC. Hi Tom, went out yesterday April 13 and found about 60 small greys north of KC. Could sure use a little moisture. Mike in KC

Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 08:36:15 -0500. Subject: Morels in KC. Hi Tom, yesterday April 19, me and my brother found 79 nice size, mostly grey morels about 25 miles north of KC on north facing slopes. Getting needed rain today.Mike L. in KC

From: Michael F. Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 07:43:11 -0700. Subject: Missouri morels. Michael in Kansas City Mo here and the 'shrooms are up!!! Star date April 19th and I have found 30 morels in the past 3 weeks. I started out on the 9th of April but didn't find anything until the 13th when I found my first ones of the season ( small grays) On April the 19th I stumbled onto a patch of larger yellow ones 2-4 inches tall. It started raining last night and is suppose to continue through Thursday so my prayers have been answered. The south facing slope theory seems to be working for me also. Good luck to all and happy hunting.

From: Ann P. Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 20:26:58 -0500. Subject: sightings. Callaway county, mo-found 12 red mushrooms Friday before Easter , a week later found 3 yellow morels starting to dry, today April 20, found 8 nice morels and 7 that were to gone to keep

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 20:32:05 -0500. Subject: Morels. Hi Tom, April 22 we found 92, including some nice size yellow's. Found most on North facing slopes and bottom areas about 25 miles north of KC. Got much needed moisture this week. Mike in KC

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 07:59:25 -0500. Subject: Morels in Missouri. How about a "shroom" pizza? Three of us went out on the river in Central Missouri after the rain and found 43. We are expecting more rain which we then will be expecting more morels. The bigger ones are yet to come out. Happy hunting. Sue S.

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 16:26:28 -0700 (PDT). Subject: missouri 4/24/04. I found ten greys in fenton, jefferson county, Mo. They were in rocky soil near the edge of the woods. Is there anyone out there that knows a way to preserve them? they are so tasty and its unfair that I can only eat these morsels for about three weeks a year. Jeff C.

From: Dwayne S. Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 06:25:29 -0500. Subject: found some. 04-26-04 My friend and I found this nice mushroom along with approx. 80 or 90 more, mostly around 1" to 2", in Warren Co., Mo. under ash trees and a few oaks. We just had some rain on 04/24/04 but the temp. at night was down in the upper 30's. Today the temp. was in the upper 60's with sunshine. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

From: Kathleen K. Date: Fri, 7 May 2004 12:11:31 -0500. Subject: predictions welcome. Hi there, I just had a question I was wondering if you could help me with. Our morel season here in Missouri has been kind of slow (at first it was super dry and then we got some rain). With the hot temperatures we are having this week mid to upper 80s, is it possible that the morels will still fruit? I thought yesterday would be a good time because the soil was a little damp still and it was humid but no morels. We are not expecting rain until Sunday (high temp 82 F). Any speculation appreciated!!!


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Montana:

Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 00:37:13 -0600. Subject: morel report for Montana. Hi, I don't see a report from Montana on your page, so here is a quick update. Here are a couple pics of the morels I found last weekend and on wednesday. They were found in the same area both days. Outside of Missoula Montana in a south facing burn area. I found about 6 pounds last weekend, and a couple more pounds on wednesday. I got out today to a totally different area today (sat the 22) and will send an update about that trip later. JimBob

From: BIHAGM9 Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 14:28:35 EDT. Subject: Montana morels. May 22 2004: Rain and snow, lots of it following an extended dry, hot March and April. Always lots of spring morels if you know where to look, and more importantly, how to look. Morels are the grand masters of camoflage. Partner and I picked a hundred or so yesterday and passed up thousands (still too small) while exploring several new locations. In Montana, wherever you find creek bottoms with combined old and young cottonwood trees, wild rose bushes and chokecherry bushes there will be morels. And then of course there are the burned forests. For every morel picked by humans I suspect there are 10 million or more that are undisturbed and unseen. I hunted mushrooms more or less every year since 1962 in perfect morel habitat and only found morels one time (and then only a few old inedible decayed ones) until 2002 when my incredible mushroom companion showed me "the way." Even now I still step on them and she laughs because I have trouble spotting them in the open right under my feet. The eye and the mind must be trained, and practice, practice, practice. And most important: one must believe, for if you don't believe you will find them you won't. A trip with an experienced morel hunter is worth a lifetime of trying to learn it on your own.

 


Nebraska:

Sent: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 19:09:33 -0800. Subject: Mushroom report in Omaha, NE. Went out today, Eastern Omaha, Ne, by the river. Found abundance of false Morels and Velvetfoots. Not too much vegetation yet but the soil is nice and soft - not too hard. Its pretty early for us but wanted a head start. Going out again this weekend. Will check back with you later. 3/31/04, Cadi Kimmy

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 18:21:10 -0500. Subject: morel sightings. April 10th in Southeastern Nebraska found 300 small gray mushrooms, seems like it is a little early this year. didn't start finding them until the 18th last year. should be a good year. i find alot of mushrooms every year, so you should be hearing alot from me. Big Daddy Morel

Sent: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 19:18:04 -0500. Subject: Morels in Nebraska. A friend reported 3 from a known producing spot in the bottoms on the north bank of the Platte River west of Fremont. I personally found 16 on a steep hillside near the rootball of a fallen cottonwood in northern Dodge County. Both finds were on April 10th. Earliest I have ever found, probably earliest I have ever looked too. The morels I found were not real fresh looking. Almost dried out and hard, especially the little ones. They tasted fine though. Bill H, Fremont Ne

Sent: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 19:58:44 -0500. Subject: mushrooms. April 12th found another 16 small grays. same area, southeastern nebraska. Big Daddy Morel

Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 12:42:28 -0500. Subject: sightings. Over 200 picked on our place in the last 4 days (since Easter Sunday). River bottom land in SE Nebraska. Soil is still pretty dry, so some rain will bring the motherload. Looking forward to next week! EJ

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 19:11:51 -0600. Subject: morels. April 20th weather=dry. but still found a small motherload, around 600 mushrooms medium greys and medium yellows. 15 lbs total in southeastern NE. Big Daddy Morel

Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 22:07:47 -0500. Subject: finds. April 25th= had a good rain, found 50 pounds of medium yellows and greys. Wish I could have took a picture. Need more rain. Having trouble finding them now. Too dry!!! Found them Platte River bottoms near Fremont NE. Big Daddy Morel

Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 19:19:29 -0500 Subject: morel find. April 30th found another 8 lbs. medium yellows big whites. conditions are dry. found in Fremont, NE seems like the season is over, can you send me some feedback? looked in the hills, conditions very dry. need rain and still might be able to find some hill mushrooms, i think. feedback, please. Big Daddy Morel

From: nhuegel. Date: Tue, 4 May 2004 15:58:18 -0600. Subject: Nebraska Morels. SW Nebraska, Republican River Valley. I checked my favorite spots on May 3rd and found nothing. Pretty dry, a good rain should produce some solid results. I was also home during Easter weekend and checked the same spots right after a rain but didn't find anything at that time either. Some discussion with some turkey hunters said they also hadn't seen any yet. I have relocated to NW Nebraska near Chadron so I have not been able to check every other day back in old stomping grounds. If there is anyone in the Dawes County area or SW South Dakota area that could give me some suggestions on areas to check I would greatly appreciate it. I have checked the creek bottom ground behind my house but also struck out.

Date: Fri, 07 May 2004 16:40:44 -0600. Subject: Nebraska posting for 2004 sightings page May 7th. Drifter: I checked last weekend along the North Platte near Scottsbluff and Morrill, but it was way too dry, all I found was a big bullsnake. Also, I checked near home in excellent mixed cottonwood and aspen groves in Wyoming and found none, despite good snowmelt. NHUGEL- you should try cottonwood bottoms out towards Crawford, I imagine that it is too dry, but I have found morels in that area, I believe around May 20th.


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New Hampshire:

Date: Sat, 8 May 2004 19:28:49 -0400. Subject: New Hampshire Find. south west New Hampshire: Found maybe 75 or more yellows today under an ash tree nestled amongst some elms along the river bank. I picked maybe 25 and will go back in two days to yank the rest!!! John

Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2004 11:01 AM. Subject: morel in NH. Lincoln, NH, 60 Miles north of Concord. Date 05/15/2004. Found a single black morel mushroom next to my house in mulched area. Never saw one before in NH. Formerly collected morels in Jackson County, IA. Cooked and loved it with my wife! Bill


New Jesey:

Date: Sun, 02 May 2004 08:46:16 -0400. Subject: NJ Morel Success! Hello, We went to our lucky spot yesterday in the woods of Sussex County, NJ, Sat. May 1st. We hunted for a total of 2 1/2 hours and brought home 32 yellow beauties approximately 1 1/2-2" in size. They were healthy and were hiding within and under the bed of leaves covering the ground. One was proudly growing on the center of a moss covered rock! I was the designated gatherer, as my partner had severe back pain, which deterred neither of us. He pointed with his official morel stick, and I plucked them up and gently placed them into our mesh laundry bag. We make only one stop on the way home to give 3 to our friend (upon our insistence) who promised to make himself his famous springtime omelet this Sunday morn. Happy Garden State Hunting! Marion and Art

Sent: Mon, 10 May 2004 10:49:54 -0400. Subject: NY/ NJ Mushroom hunt question. Do you know of any mushroom hunts taking place in the NY/NJ area??? Thank You. Rob


New Mexico:

From: Joshua and Tori M. Sent: Thu, 8 Apr 2004 18:02:36 -0600. Subject: New Mexico???????? I just wanted to let you know that New Mexico is missing on your morel reports page. The Rockies do run through this state and we do have a great mushroom crop. I'll send you reports as soon as I find some this year... until then please don't overlook this beautiful state. Thank you. The reason that New Mexico was previously missing is that we've never had any "Sightings" from "The Land of Enhancement". I would be one the last persons to slight New Mexico as I am a former resident of Silver City in Grant County. I anxiously await your reports.


New York:

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 10:39:31 -0500. Subject: NY Sighting. found 3 black morels today 04/22/04 (Hooray for Earth Day!) in Westchester. County, NY - the warm weather we've had in the last week, along with the rain, seems to have moved the season up a week or two. Happy Hunting! - Chris

From: Thomas S. Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 06:55:13 -0400. New York sightings in Ulster. Found about 50 blacks in an apple orchids, all under one tree.

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:36:39 -0400. Subject: Got one in Rochester, NY. Found in Ellison Park, Rochester, NY on April 30, 2004. Tim S.

From: Jim G. Sent: Sun, 2 May 2004 08:41:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject: New York Morel. Finally.....Found five M. esculenta, small, not enough for the table but a godsend for the head. May 2nd, Oneida County, NY. The ice is broken, let the hunt begin in earnest. Found at about 500ft elev.,river bottom, under dead elm. Also found alot of just emerging Polyporus Squamosus (indicator species?) Good luck fellow New Yorkers, tired of being envious of the rest of the Union. Do appreciate their input though, been a big help in many ways. Shroom on!

From: Gayil G./Eric S. Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 22:33:19 -0400. Subject: new york morels. on may 3rd and 4th, found total of 13 yellows in central and eastern ulster county; some as large as 3 1/2 inches.Both groups were on steep banks facing southward.

From: Jim G. Date: Sat, 8 May 2004 13:10:30 -0700 (PDT). Subject: morel. Geogymn - Mohawk Valley, NY (Sat May 8 15:09:00 2004. Found another nine yellows today. biggest is three inches. Riverbottom, 500', under dead elm, 30% of the bark was missing. Around 100 dead elms in the same area, looked around each one, twice, didn't find another morel. Alot of young Dyrad's, weeds are about 16 inches tall. Got plenty of rain, need some warmth.

Sent: Mon, 10 May 2004 10:49:54 -0400. Subject: NY/ NJ Mushroom hunt question. Do you know of any mushroom hunts taking place in the NY/NJ area??? Thank You. Rob

Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 00:06:00 EDT. Subject: morels. hi aim mike, from Utica new York, i found 48 esculanta,old apple trees, this is my first time picking morels, what a good day to day, been looking for 2 weeks thanks mike 5/10/04

From: Mark O. Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 13:07:06 -0400. Weekend of May 14, 15, and 16 found a total of 487 Morels in upstate New York. My personnel best!! Good hunting to all

Date: Sun, 30 May 2004 15:54:09 -0400. Subject: Found today...in my garden, under a sugar maple (Montgomery County, NY, 50 miles west of Albany). I know little about mushrooms, but am guessing this one is edible (wouldn't bet my life on it!). Would appreciate correct Latin binomial. Viktoria S.


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North Carolina:

Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 20:41:29 EST. Subject: morels in NorthCarolina. Do you know if there are any morels in NC? If so where do I need to go to find them ie mountains etc. I am going to Michigan to find the Mother Lode as I haven't had any since I moved here 17 years ago. Thanks, Conn. I've never hunted in NC, but I think you have to get into the hills away from the coastal plain. Check previous years "Sightings" pages for clues.

From: ELFLOCH. Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 18:41:34 EDT. Subject: morels in Winston-Salem NC. April 18, 2004. Not really searching morels but in clearing storm damage on property came upon black morels in ash/tulip poplar/sweetgum/maple wooded. Have no idea how long they've been producing there (since I've never searched them before) but they are here in central North Carolina at this time.

From: InBoone. Date: Sat, 8 May 2004 21:53:04 EDT. Subject: Morel sighting - NC. May 8, 2004 - Boone, NC in Watauga County, in the mountains very close to TN and VA border, approx 3400' elevation at our house. We found morels 3 days ago, have been watching a known patch for 2 weeks waiting for them to come up. The frost we had less than a week ago delayed them, I think. Just got a nice rain tonight and with warm weather the next few days, we are getting excited! Our patch is under an ash tree in a hardwood forest with very few pines. Happy hunting!


North Dakota:

Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 21:30:17 -0500. Subject: North Dakota. Hi all. Was in the Turtle Mountains May 21st. Snowing with some freezing rain. Stopped on the side of the road and found three blacks. 3 to 3and a half inches tall. Going back tomorrow(23rd) to my spot. Should be the start of a great season. Happy Hunting Ed

 

 


Ohio:

Sent: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 20:08:12 EST Subject: Sightings. March 6TH, Southern Ohio. A friend told me his two friends found some blacks,only 2 or 3, and real small 1" or so. No other details yet but when this snow melts I'll be ready to seek and find and tell!! Andy Y.

Sent: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 22:13:52 -0400. Subject: First one. Its finally here,the one I have been watiting on .Only found one but its a start. 4-1-04 in the Southwest region of Ohio.Good luck Rob

Sent: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 23:37:32 EDT. Subject: Morels in Ohio (From David R.) Hi! It's great to return to this great site again this year. Mushrooming in South-central Ohio (Tar Hollow) is starting about a week later than last year. I went out on Wednesday, 04/07/04, and found 18 black morels ranging from 1/2" to 2" tall. They were barely peeking out of the leaves! I went out today, 04/09/04, and found 12 more black morels from 1" to 3" tall. These all came from an area that always produces earlier than the rest of the surrounding woods. I think it's safe to say that our morel season is about to go into full swing! Good shroomin' to all. Maybe "The Tree" will give us some divine guidance to the Mother Lode !!! David R.

From: David P. Sent: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 11:13:49 -0400. Subject: Found eight small blacks on April 1, southeast Ohio.

From: John N. Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 15:29:38 -0400 Subject: Ohio. I found my first dozen or so blacks today. The ground is very saturated and, though the air is cold the sun's rays are noticeably strong. Warmer weather this weekend should get things popping!

Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 21:08:47 EDT. Subject: Morel Finds In Ohio. Greene Co. Ohio, April 20, 2004. I just walked in the door with my first finds of the year. Went out to Greene Co. with Scotty and we found a total of 39, 25 of which Scotty found, 10 or so spikes that only had the head out of the ground and old looking and the rest were Greys, from 1" to 2 1/2" tall. All were found on the S.W. and S. side of a hill just down from the top. Scotty thanks for the great time and place. Tomorrow Scotty and I are headed to a new area to me, but one that Scotty has tried in the past with good luck. So people, they are up and I for one am glad. Andy from Dayton

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 09:56:17 -0400. Subject: Morels in Ohio. I went out this morning for the first time in Fulton County, Ohio. I found one gray but am leaving to check out other spots in a few minutes. Happy Shroomin'! Scott

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 19:44:13 EDT. Subject: More finds in Greene Co. Ohio. Went out today with Scotty to an early season spot with no luck. But then my main man Scotty pulled us thru with his honey spot. We found a total of 57 grays and 7 spikes (half frees). Scotty gets the largest of the day award with his 5 biggies 3"-3 1/2" the rest were 1"-2" tall. I think the time has come finally here in Southeastern Ohio so let the games begin! Good luck to all and happy shooming!! Andy from Dayton

Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 20:04:01 EDT. Subject: Morel finds in Greene Co. Ohio. April 23, 2004. Just back from the woods. Went to Scotty's honey hole without him but with his permission and what a day, 125 Spikes, 13 Grays, and 3 large Yellows (4-5" tall). Sorry you couldn't make it Scotty. I'll make it up to you. I think this spot is empty for now, need some sun and warmer temps to bring more out. I'm sooooo Happy!!! To many to eat right now, got them in the dehydrator and I will enjoy them later. Found them in Greene Co. Ohio mostly close to the top of a hill facing the West and Southwest. The three Yellows were by a Sycamore tree, the Spikes were scattered mostly on top of the hill, one spot had about 60 in a 10' square area. As the saying goes "HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY" Andy from Dayton

Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 19:57:01 -0700 (PDT). Subject: Henry County, Ohio. Found 48 greys & 1 white in one of the most beautiful collections of Trillium, Mayapple, Toothwort, Goldenseal & Ginseng (lots of it!) I've seen! Found in onesies & twosies mostly under poplar & ash, some maple & beach. All the other woods in the Black Swamp seemed a week behind this private stand of old growth - can't wait to get back out! DragonJon, Great Black Swamp

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 14:44:25 -0400. Subject: First Morels and peckerheads found SE Ohio. The first morel of the year was found on April 9 in my flowerbed and was only about the size of my thumb nail. Picture is attached. I live in the far SE corner of Perry County Ohio. 11 morels were found in our woods near the bottom of a ravine, the largest one being 5 1/2" long. Picture is attached. 2 Peckerheads were found on Arpil 24, 2004 in the same woods (pic of one is attached), and on April 25 2004, 2 morels and a peckerhead was found in the same woods. Diane B. SE Ohio

From: Melissa W. Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 16:29:36 -0400. Subject: Ohio. Southwestern Ohio, found 4 huge greys, approx 7-9 inches tall... we are hoping the season has not passed us by, as today, April 25th was the first day I've been out hunting!

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 20:32:18 EDT. Subject: morels in Ohio. Been out hunting in Montgomery County for about a week without much success till today 04/25/04. In our favorite proven ground Beckey and I started out a rainy day with four beauties. Then we traveled to another area in Clark County. Where the David and Daniel proved why we take them out hunting with Three for David and the two blacks for Daniel. We all returned to the area in Montgomery County where we found two more which were the biggest finds of the day. I imagine that there wont be much else done after work for the next week or so other than walking those woods. Thanks for the website to share and good luck to all, Rick

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 18:01:38 -0400. Subject: How can I tell if they're safe to eat? I just found two of these today. Are they morels? How can I tell if they're safe to eat? I live in Columbus, OH. Thank you, Don D. Yes, at least this one is a morel. I can tell just from the picture.True morels have true pits and ridges, are completely hollow, and the stem connects to the cap at the base of the cap.

Sent: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 15:06:23 -0400. Subject: Morel Mushroom find Medina County, Ohio. Found 31 Blacks today in Medina County, Ohio. They were very nice, can't wait to go out again and look for more. - - Karen M.


Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 16:41:55 EDT. Subject: Mushrooms in Ohio! I am so excited to be the first to tell you I've found morels in Ohio! I've got 15 grays and yellows here. The biggest is 5" and the smallest is 1 1/4". They were found in Centerville, OH, just south of Dayton. Thanks, Thia K. I just sent you this message but forgot to attach the picture........I am so excited to be the first to tell you I've found morels in Ohio! I've got 15 grays and yellows here. The biggest is 5" and the smallest is 1 1/4". They were found in Centerville, OH, just south of Dayton. Thanks, Thia K.

From: Judi R. Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 16:57:30 -0400. Subject: Morels Ohio. Went out Sunday the 25 of April. We live in Clermont County Ohio. Found huge morels in one spot under some vines. My husband calls it Valley of the Vines. He brought home 2 bread bags full. The largest was at least 6 inchest long. We are enjoying them. Bread Bags??? There are four advantages of using mesh bags: They let the spores drop back into your patch and anywhere else you travel, they are tear resistant, they let any debris and/or bugs fall out, and they keep your catch fresher.

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:12:54 -0500. Subject: Don't trip over this one. I found this one in southwest Ohio (Miami County). This is the smallest I have found. Smaller than a dime and your finger tip. We found about 24 greys last week. This was one of them. So far this week we have only found a couple yellows. It has been dry, not much rain. No spikes, just finding yellows now. Karen from Piqua

From: Morr. Date: Sat, 01 May 2004 14:31:21 -0400. Subject: Morels in Ohio. I found just 3 grays today in Northern Ohio. I have been out earlier last week with no luck. Have been hearing reports of people finding them in the area for about a week now. I usually have better luck next week.

Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 16:08:16 -0400. Subject: ohio morels. I'm a new shroomer in Guernsey Co. Found 3 greys and 5 Yellow morels. I found a lot of false morels. A shroomer guru told me they were peckerheads. Too bad I didn't take them home. My wife said to pick the darn things and she will decide if they are good ones or not. All were found on top of ridge,,,east face,,,,under Tulip Poplar. No morels were found on south face under Ash, Poplar, Tulip Poplar, Elms...On east side flowers of Mayapple were tight in bud,,,an south face they were just TRYING to pop open. White Trilliums in bloom. Saw lots of turkey and deer sign but no critters. Morels made it a fine day. John D.

From: onetoker. Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 08:55:38 -0700. Subject: mushroom. found one small yellow may 1/04 hanoverton ohio.

Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 13:36:16 -0400. Subject: Central Ohio success. I'm happy to report my wife and I discovered 20 greys at our usual Central Ohio spot, ranging from 2 1/2" to 4". The size tells me they've been up for several days or so but traditional locations have been so damp, our success was pretty poor up to this weekend. We moved to a little higher and dryer ground which was the key. The somewhat warmer (and finally sunny) days have helped I'm sure. They were pretty dispersed but generally found in areas that received some direct sunlight, and oddly (or not) near young Mayapple plants. Mayapples are a broad flat leafed plant that spreads out like an umbrella that now stand about 10" tall. These traditional spots by the way are loaded with elm, walnut, oak and ash. So yes Virginia, shrooms do like the elm; and I like the shrooms gently sautéed with a glass of delicate Pinot Noir! Get out there Central & Northern Buckeyes it's morel time! M. L. Delaware, Ohio

From: Jill. Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 15:11:45 -0400. Subject: mid-ohio sighting. I have spent countless hours traipsing through woods in my area, with no luck yet this year. This morning, while working outdoors, 2 feet from my house, I looked down and spotted 11 black morels! They were growing in an area that a rabbit hutch has been until very recently; any correlation between the rabbit droppings and the mushrooms? They were mostly covered by lots of wet oak leaves. We are in Wooster, Ohio, which is about an hour south of Cleveland. It's great motivation to get out there and keep looking!

Date: Thu, 6 May 2004 21:20:17 -0400. Subject: Ohio Morels. Used a vacation day to go Turkey Hunting. Left the gun in the truck and picked up my MESH bag. It was a happy day. 25 peckerheads and 15 yellows. Found two new spots and the season is just beginning. Some Mayapple in bloom ,solomon seal just starting to bloom. Saw a pretty red wildflower in bloom, 5 petals. Saw a druid sadleback mushroom? All morels were under Tulip Poplar. Found some morels around a tree that looked like it had shoestring root rot. Guernsey Co.........John D.

Date: Fri, 7 May 2004 07:15:33 -0700 (PDT). Subject: N.E. Ohio Morels. April 29,2004. We've been looking hard without much to show for it. Found a few handfuls of yellows and half-frees at our normal spots over the past week. Tried a new area May 1st that seemed perfect - 2 hours, one morel! On May 5th we found a dozen nice yellows at a favorite spot. Hope things are about to heat up. We need a few pounds for a fine morel dinner. Good luck to all. -Sandy's Scouts

Date: Sun, 9 May 2004 10:09:46 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Henry Co. Ohio. Looks like we're nearing the last of the season around here :( Will head up to Norther MI soon :) The Black Swamp was unusually dry early and fewer than normal later in the season. However, I did find quite a few large yellow as well as some bigfoot morels throughout the Black Swamp - Hancock, Henry & Wood Counties in Ohio - over the past week (May 1-8). This Yellow Morel pictured measued 3.2" x 2.5" (cap only) and weighed 31 grams (yep - that's more than an ounce!) when I returned home - possibly the heaviest I've found. DragonJon, Slippery Elm Trail, Great Black Swamp

Date: Sun, 9 May 2004 19:55:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Morels in N. E. Ohio. 5/8/04 From sandy's scouts ........ 1lb total today in N E Ohio. 5/9/04- found another 1lb here on Mothers Day........... Ashtabula and Portage and Summit counties. We will be enjoying a morel dinner monday evening...... Mostly yellows around railroad tracks. Most had slug holes- ok but must have been up for a while. Largest was a 5 incher found by Big Ray! Good Luck, Sandy's Scouts

Date: Wed, 26 May 2004 15:20:24 -0400 (Eastern Standard Time). Subject: 5/10/04 mushroom 13". my name is mike k. mansfield ohio. This is my grandson kameron s. and my mushroom 13 inches .51 wt.



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Oklahoma:

From: carol c. Sent: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 18:28:35 -0800 (PST) Subject: Nice Red Ones. March 15, 2004 in central Oklahoma in Lincoln County, my sister-in-law found 3 nice red ones. I wish it had been me but the hunt is on now.

From: "Carolyn M." Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 14:28:15 -0600. Central Oklahoma.Update: It was a year ago on March 18th that we found our first little gray, so far this year none, except 3 big red ones on the 15th. The weather has been good, the nights are still a little cold here for them to grow, we are still looking though. Lincoln County, Ok.

From: "John H." Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 21:26:05 -0600. Sat. March 20, 2004 First of the Season. Found a handful of small grays and one black morel just West of Tulsa. If the temps hold and the rain comes in, next weekend should produce a nice crop. Good Hunting! JSH

Sent: Sat, 27 Mar 2004 21:30:08 EST. Subject: Morels - Centeral Oklahoma. Went out last Sunday for an hour and found zero. Went out today in the same place and found 120 (5 lbs.) of fresh yellows! They are up in Central Oklahoma!! The season is just beginning, but with some rain this weekend, they will be everywhere! My son is coming in from Ohio this coming Thursday to go on a three day hunt. We are the two guys on your website from last year with the shrooms on the tailgate of the Chevy truck. We're ready to go again and find the "Mother Load!!" Good hunting and good luck to everyone!! Gary & Gary B.

From: Randy M. Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2004 11:44:43 -0800 (PST). Subject: Find in Oklahoma. Found 20 mostly grays a few yellows east of OKC.

Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2004 19:43:15 EST. Subject: MUSHROOMS. 3-28-04 The season is here. I found 4 reds today in Washington Co, OK. S.K. Happy Hunting

From: "Carolyn M" Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 15:08:35 -0600 Central Oklahoma, Lincoln County. Westley M. found 13 little grays on the 27th of March. Him and his mom went to the store to buy milk and they came back with 16 all together. Having fun.

From: "Carolyn M." Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 15:06:26 -0600. Lincoln County, Ok. Central Oklahoma, I found 1 small gray Friday, March 26th. We went again on the 28th and my son found 49 beautiful grays and yellows, we are leaving him at home on the next hunt. The rest of us found 4 or 5 each, but it is time for them to come up. It rained here Saturday night so we have our shrooming sticks polished up and ready. Cleaned and cooked all of them the same night, not a crumb left.

Sent: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 13:27:29 EST. found 1 big red on the 26th &1 med.& 5 small on the 27th.j.king osage county oklahoma.

Sent: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 21:00:40 EST. Subject: what else: morels. 3/31/04. Yahoo! A baker's dozen of perfect greys about 35 miles south of Tulsa, OK. Susan D.

From: Bill and Connie H. Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2004 16:20:58 -0800 (PST). Subject: Oklahoma Morels, Oklahoma City. I found these on Friday, April 2, 2004 about 2 miles from Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. A total of 70, weighing about 10 lbs.

Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 20:46:49 -0700 (PDT). Subject: my first of season. Found my first of year: half dozen young looking morels; pale color except one older looking, yellowish. Near Okmulgee (approx. 30 miles south of Tulsa) in mixed forest. Sites I've checked in Tulsa Cty. have been negative so far. Dean M., Tulsa, Ok

Sent: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 21:49:40 -0500. I definitely know what they mean by small gray morels after finding several that were between 1" and 1 1/4". These were found in NE Oklahoma. We also found other gray, 4 yellows and 1 red one. Can the yellows be far behind? Enjoy the hunting! Carol

Sent: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 20:46:49 -0700 (PDT). Subject: my first of season. Found my first of year: half dozen young looking morels; pale color except one older looking, yellowish. Near Okmulgee (approx. 30 miles south of Tulsa) in mixed forest. Sites I've checked in Tulsa Cty. have been negative so far. Dean M., Tulsa, Ok.

Sent: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 20:04:17 EDT. Subject: April 1-3, 2004 Oklahoma City Find. Hello everyone. Well I just completed my annual trip to Oklahoma CIty to Mushroom hunt for 3 days. If you remember last year we hauled in around 983 Mushrooms in 2 days in 2003 (see Sightings in 2003 for story and pics). This year wasn't as productive as last year but it was still another very good year. We found about 450 mushrooms in 3 days. Another good year in Oklahoma City. Now I'm just waiting on the season to begin here in central Ohio. Good Luck to all of you out there shroom hunting....Take Care,,,,Gary Jr.

From: Michael R. Sent: Mon, 5 Apr 2004 22:35:39 -0500. Subject: Flyboy from Oklahoma has been eating mushrooms! :):) Ok, I've been reading all the reports and I feel obligated to do the same...Got here april 1, went out looking april 1. Kind of dissapointed, the "honeyhole" from last year(800 small greys in 2 days!!) produced 47 after all day. :( Ate them all with a good friend with Wild Turkey and felt better. Went out the next day(of course!) and found, 71 BIG yellows,southern slopes near a creek.Tried to dry some out in the oven, it sucked. They all shrank and turned black! :( Dried some of the same batch in a dehydrator and they turned out fantastic, kept thier color and size nicely. Went out the next day for a few hours and found around 18 greys and 24 nice size yellows. it seems as tho all the critters are eating all the shrooms, lots of "trunks", no shrooms. took a day off. Went out today and spotted some while driving along the highway(south side, creek), slammed on the brakes, :):):) ran down the hill and scored 23 in a nice liddle patch!and theres tomorrow as well....have to go back to new jersey on the 9th.. so sad, I think theyll be really popping out then too. Anyone have info on jersey shrooms?? :):) Thanks for the webpage guys!!!! nice to know theres more like me out there!

Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 16:30:56 -0700 (PDT). Subject: morels in Tulsa area. I found over 50 medium to large size morels near Glenpool, Ok. yesterday (4/8/04). In grass and thickets lakeside (all within 10 feet or so of shoreline). Some were old and a few were immature, but most were in great condition. Dean M., Tulsa, Ok.

Sent: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 15:11:24 EDT. Subject: Morel Findings. This is good old Corey Tyler M. from bristow oklahoma i found about 175 yellows this weekend all around elms and sycamores look like they had been up a week or so. Most were between 3 to 5 inches tall good eaters. I found them northwest of Bristow in Creek County. It just rained so more on the way. Lol

Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 13:39:55 -0700 (PDT). Subject: morels around tulsa. Yesterday 4/12 found a few near Bixby, Ok. Today, about 20 in south Tulsa. We've had some nice rains past week. With warming temps, this weekend should be very productive around Tulsa area. --dean m. Tulsa, Ok.

From: dean m. Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 16:17:59 -0700 (PDT). Subject: tulsa morel season over? Still finding a few, but these are solitary mostly-- the "bigfoot" variety. Went north yesterday (4/18/04) to near Kansas border in hopes of "catching up" with the crop, but found only one.


Ontario, Canada:

Sent: Wed, 3 Mar 2004 18:42:09 -0500. Subject: Snow Morels in Ontario ,Canada. Snow ,snow and more snow is all I have found .I guess I am too excited about seeing your first sightings in California and got the itch. Talk to you again around the beginning of May .Jim S from London.

From: Cynthia D. Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 20:49:58 -0400. Subject: Ontario morel sighting. Sandro J. of Piatto restaurant in Toronto found 31 black morels this afternoon on his first spring foray. On May 10, Piatto will host the annual dinner for the Toronto Mycological Society. Sorry, but it's sold out!

From: Rex. Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 15:45:26 -0400. Subject: Ontario, Canada. Hi Tom, I didn't actually see them, but my bro-in-law told me a friend found them in his front yard. We drove over and I saw the stems. Proof enough for me. Picked April, 26th, Front yard, Elgin County, Ontario.

Sent: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 19:56:44 -0400. Subject: 2004 sighting. Hi Tom, Today Apr. 28 my earliest date so far, found 33 Elata in Ontario 60 Kms north of Toronto. Picture included. Good luck to all, Umberto P.

Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 13:16:49 -0400. Subject: Guelph, Ontario. Hi, I've been searching about but so far no sign of any Morels, are there any known areas they show up in near Guelph? Scott O. K.

Date: Fri, 7 May 2004 21:40:18 -0400. Subject: SW Ontario morel report. Hi Tom, Yellows are beginning to flush here in SW Ontario. I'm finding very few in open, sunny locations around dead elm trees. We are about a week early compared to the main flushes of last year. The shaded woods hasn't began to show sign yet. I would guess by next weekend, we should start seeing more. Elgin County, Ontario. Thanks, Rex

Sent: Mon, 10 May 2004 18:52:19 -0400. Subject: Just Starting. I found 3 baby morels 1.5 inches tall Sat. May 8 on, get this, a fully exposed south facing slope at the base of a line of Cedars . On the other side of these Cedars of course is a ridge leading to one of my best hotspots . I can only assume because of our cold spring and the sunny exposure of this spot that the sun hurried growth of these 3 little ones that the main crop is on the way !!! It has been a long winter.Tonight we are enjoying nice warm thundershowers. Till next weekend. Jim S. from London, Ontario.

Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 20:38:03 -0400. Subject: Findings in Canada's Capital. Found 10 small yellows and one black south of Ottawa in a bush near Greely on May 18, 2004. Most were on the south facing slopes near dead elms. They ranged from 1 1/2 inches to 4 inches...season just seems to be starting here. I'll keep you posted! Kim

Sent: Wed, 19 May 2004 22:35:48 -0400. Subject: Bonanza!! On Sat. May15 I found 9 on ridge of White Pine / Ash combo . On Sun. partner and I found 70 among dead Elms. On Mon. night I found 21 among dead Elms / Ash combo and on Tues. night I found 34 among dead Elm /old Apple trees combo. The season is in its last week I think. By the way, we found them on May 16. Jim S. from London, Ont.

Sent: Sun, 23 May 2004 18:29:01 -0400 Subject: Big Day. I found 53 nice big Morels today amongst dead Elms with some overgrown with Virginia creepers. This is the last week as I left about 30 behind as they were to far gone. Jim S. from London, Ont.

Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2004 07:33:10 -0400. Subject: yellow morel sighting. Hi Folks, Just found your great website this week, but found a yellow morel in a cemetery up the Bruce Trail north of Mississauga, ON, and north east of Toronto, ON. It was by an elm stump, almost under an ash tree across from an old apple orchard in an area that is elevated and receives higher than average rainfall and lower temperatures due to the Niagara Escarpment. It's probably +1000' above Lake Ontario at that point. Found May 26th/27, 2004. It looked a little old and was by some shelf mushrooms of great size that are still very alive. We've lost our book, so naming is problematic. Bruce & Gus


Oregon:

From: laetiporous sulphureus Sent: Fri, 27 Feb 2004 18:18:51 -0800. Subject: i found some!!!! two were found near gardens in the city of eugene, oregon. the larger one was found on FEB 26th, the baby, found today, the 27th.... yesterday i walked down the block and the large one bit me on the leg. it was ON MY BLOCK! i didn't even cross the street.... wooohooo!peace.

Sent: Sat, 20 Mar 2004 20:27:55 -0800. Subject: First day of Spring, first Morels in Oregon! Hi Tom, Well we found them today! Our first of this season here in the Rogue Valley! We have been collecting Shaggy Manes and Agaricus for about a week and a half. Could the verpa and half-morels be far behind? Well, the weather has been unseasonably warm and dry out here in Oregon. We have been praying for a little rain. So this afternoon's walk was to explore a new, un-completed pathway in Phoenix, Oregon. We found 34 morels, most of them fresh and a few already dried a little. Not a verpa or half-morel to be seen! Wahooo! Good hunting, Neil & Teri S.-Talent, Oregon. P.S. Note the morels coming up right out of the gravel at the edge of the path.

Sent: Sun, 28 Mar 2004 22:23:13 -0600. Subject: mushrooms in Portland OR. My brother sent me a picture of about 20-30 morels he found this weekend near his home in West Linn, OR (a Portland suburb). It looked like yellows and a couple of blacks. Judy

Date: Sat, 3 Apr 2004 23:01:42 -0800. Subject: Morel in Oregon. We found some of these in our driveway - near Eugene, Oregon. Is it a Morel? Photo 3 shows that it is about 4-1/2 inches tall. Thanks - Julia. Yes, definitely a morel. Enjoy!

Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 19:15:26 -0700. Subject: Still finding them here in southern Oregon! Hi Tom! The morel hunting goes on here in the Rogue Valley. At this time of year we are hunting up above 4000 feet in the Cascade Mountains. There are lots of nice black morels to be found if you know where to search. Just the other day I happened upon a some nice yellows at 4500 feet. Here is a photo of one of the clusters that I found. I was very pleased to find the yellows near to a little lake I was trout fishing. The next venture up to the high Cascades will be to check a location that usually holds good numbers of black morels. A preliminary search by Teri about 6 days ago turned up a dozen fresh, young blacks. We are going to tadem-team the search this time...Oregon Neil & Teri.

Date: Sat, 15 May 2004 23:44:57 -0700. Subject: High Cascade Black Morels. Hi Tom, Teri and I got up to the high Cascade mountains of southern Oregon and picked a splendid basket of black morels. Here is one exciting 3-pak that we found today. It was a great afternoon of morel hunting. Sincerely, Oregon Neil Roots

Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2004 21:54:47 -0700. Subject: Morel Sightings. Dear Friends, I just thought it might be interesting for you to know that from Pendleton, OR, east on I84 towards LaGrande, OR, if you take the Mt. Emily exit, and go left over the freeway, and about a quarter mile into the woods, for as far as you can go, are millions of morels! Huge ones!. I actually took a picture of some that I recently brought home from that area, leaning up against a coffee mug, and they extend 2" above the cup. I was totally excited. I've recently used some recipes and preserving methods from the MorelExpert.com. Millie


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Pennsylvania:

Sent: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 19:55:47 -0500. Subject: First sighting in Pa. They aren't big but they are morels and they are up! These are from western Pa. and there aren't enough for a meal but it is a start! My friend and I know where to find the first ones. They are late this year! Hope you have a good year Tom, Your friend, Shamey

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 19:22:26 EDT. Subject: Morel Sighting. One lonely Morel was found in Pennsylvania, 20 miles north of Wellsboro. Light colored and beautiful! Janie

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 22:15:21 EDT. Subject: April 17 2004 southeastern PA Berks county Found my first morels of the year. 20 of them in a small old orchard. yee-ha tempertures good but needs some rain this week to get them popping up. Looks to be another good year. Kenny M.

Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 13:12:36 -0400. Subject: morels in PA. On Saturday, April 17, my wife, Karen, took a stroll through some woods which contained a small patch where we expected to eventually find some morels. She spotted 3 small black morels which, judging from the pale color, had just popped up that previous night. This particular patch is on a gentle slope nearby a large ash tree. Those were our first official morels of 2004. The next day, Sunday the 18th, the two of us went to our most reliable morel woods for a serious foray. After several hours of combing the bottom portion of a ridge where various hardwoods grow -most notably ash and tulip- we ended up with 26 small black morels. So, the season is off to a reasonably good start here in Eastern PA. Dave in NEPA

From: La Monte. Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 22:51:47 -0400. This evening someone brought a small (4cm) "black morel" to the meeting of the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club. They appear to finally be up here too...

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 13:56:29 -0400. Subject: Black morels found in southeast Pennsylvania. Just reporting that the black morels are up and seem to be just starting out here in central Delaware county. Lower temps and a little rain would do us right in this area. Larry T.

Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 15:39:46 -0700. Subject: black morels in central Pa. Hello shroomers, We've been waiting with much anticipation to be able to send news to you. On Wednesday 4/22 my friend Mark called me from an area we hunt to let me know he found 3 small blacks. we are getting some nice rain now and I would expect this weekend to be good. Celebrating the beginning of the season in Harrisburg.~Barney

From: John Y. Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 20:58:36 -0400. Subject: morels. found 3 southwestern P.a.fri.

From: Adam C. Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 09:36:24 -0400. Subject: PA yellow morels found 2/26/04. 2/26/04 Found 6 yellow morels in central Beaver County. Pennsylvania. They were under an old dying apple tree on a south facing slope. This was my first serious look for morels, so I walked away quite happy. I hope to report finding more soon!

Sent: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 14:43:56 -0400. Subject: sighting in PA. Dear MorelMania, Today I found our area's first morels of this season. Near a very big tree on a NE facing slope were found about twelve medium-sized morels. This is Fayette County, PA's first haul. Good luck to all!! A.J.

Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 16:27:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: PA sightings. We live in southern blair county in south central PA and thought that the season was pretty much going to be miserable as they were horribly late (about 2 weeks). I didn't start finding them until the middle of April. I'm happy to announce though that once spring finally got into swing, so did the morels. On Monday 4-26-04, we found 250, the most we have ever found on a given day since I started hunting when I was a child. Up to this point, 4-28, we have found between 500-600 for the season and will probably continue for a couple more weeks. Paul Z.

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:03:44 -0400. Subject: Morels. Thursday 04-29-2004 - while out mowing the front lawn, the first one was seen in just enough time to stop the mower and take a few photos. this is the first one for us at our new home just north of Williamsport, PA. Jeff and Deb T.

From: Ernie S. Date: Sun, 02 May 2004 13:00:17 -0400. Subject: Pennsylvania, Bradford County. Found the first scout yesterday. This is in eastern Bradford County, Pennsylvania. It was only about 1/2 inch long, but it is the first! Storms this afternoon and then the Morels should really take off!!! Semper Fi

From: paula h. Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 16:45:06 -0700 (PDT). Hello, found this morel today, about one hour east of Pittsburgh Pa. Thought it was a pretty nice size, so I thought i'd share it! finally tis the morel season! lol

Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 16:23:46 -0400. Subject: Pennsylvania. Mother's Day weekend we found 30 really nice morels. Every one of them was located in our tried and true spots from past years....under dead elms. We cooked them in butter and served them with asparagus and bits of freshly fried bacon. Excellent! Jeep in Greene County


Quebec:

From: Thierry D. Date: Wed, 05 May 2004 16:06:45 -0400. Subject: Québec City. Finally a single Morchella Elata here around Québec City! Found it on a sun-exposed hill, south-faced edge. Despite this one being 3 inches high, there was no other mushroom anywhere else, not even Gyromitras or Verpas. It's rather cold yet.

 


Saskatchewan, Canada:


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South Carolina:

From: Nuvox Sent: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 12:10:00 -0400. Subject: any finds in so. carolina? Have you heard of any finds in S.C yet? Been out 2 times so far, no luck yet. I live in Anderson, S.C. Been really dry this year so far, hopeing for some more rain, to pop em up! Thanks..........


South Dakota:

Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 18:55:22 -0500. Subject: South Dakota find. April 19, 2004 Yankton, SD First find this year, about 1.8 lbs. Approx 125 to 150 mushrooms, fresh, between 1 and 2 inches tall. Found along sandy bank of Missouri River. Picture shows catch ready for frying pan. Wife insists on sauteing some. Delicious anyway. Need more rain. Good luck J&I W.

Sent: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 17:46:31 -0500. Subject: more morels in SD. WHOOOPEEE! April 21, 2004. Finally had a nice rain yesterday. Picture. shows a 2 lb. haul found along south shore in wooded sandy soil along the Missouri river near Yankton, SD. Getting bigger. Very fresh, plump and tender. Batch from 4/20/2004 now history. Would like to see other entries here from others in SD. These took about 1 hour to find. Good luck to all mushroom hunters.J&I W.

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 09:37:52 EDT. Subject: South Dakota Morels. Date April 22, 2004. We picked two day the 19th and 22nd and picked 600 grays and blondes. Maybe a few that might be classified as black. We would like to know if anyone else picks in South Dakota and if they pick any blacks. Bryan and Jen

Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 04:07:37 -0500. Date:Wed. Apr. 28th. Place: South Western S.D./ Found a pant load of very blond near Ponka State Park just off the Mighty Mo. Thy were all over the thin grass on the dunes. Some were growing right up in these bunchs of little umbrela shaped shrooms. I never pick what i don't know, and all I know is Morel's. Murf from Siouxer City Ia.

Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 16:58:34 -0500. Subject: re: SIGHTINGS. Greetings:. It has been busy the last three weekends. 04/17/04 Blenco IA just up after rain. Picked 3 to 4 hundred early grays small size. 04/24/04 McCook S.D. gray and small common yellows some good size. 04/30/04 Vermillion S.D. grays and yellows again good size. L.T. and Kaye

Date: Wed, 5 May 2004 15:31:14 -0500. Subject: re: sightings. Greetings from L.T. and Kaye: Things are really popping up. Both in N.W. Iowa and S.E. South Dakota. Blenco IA. The yellows are up and getting big. Sioux City IA. Port Neal Landing by the power house and at the Bend on the Mo. River. Vermillion S.D. yellows and grays McCook S.D. even found some of the larger club footed base morels A few at Newton Hills State Park in Canton S.D. Looking forward to a busy weekend....

Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 13:04:31 EDT. Subject: Morels in Clay County SD. May 6, 2004 We hunted in Clay County State Park right by the Missouri River near Vermilion, South Dakota. Found 5 Yellow Morels in open, sandy cottonwood stands. Some were a bit dried out. We salvaged what we could since they are probably the only morels we'll likely find this year. Is there a website for sitings with other types of mushrooms. I'm wondering what the prospects are for boletes and chanterelles up here in the Midwest. Marc and Tina in South Dakota.


Tennessee:

Sent: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 20:27:30 EST. Subject: Morels in Tennessee. My wife and I went looking today March 23, 2004. we were able to find 11 small to medium blacks. They were located in southern Middle Tennessee near the Alabama line. richard in tennessee

Sent: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 08:36:43 -0500. Subject: MORELS IN TENNESSEE. went out tuesday afternoon 3/23/04 found only 2 small blacks just coming up at least it has started found 40 miles east of knoxville in county park. jeff in tennessee


Sent: Fri, 26 Mar 2004 12:43:25 -0500. Subject: TENNESSEE MORELS. THURSDAY 3-25-04 MORE black morels found in city park in east tennessee found in ash and poplar stands 6 total still pretty small location grainger county thanks. jeff in tennessee

Sent: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 16:09:10 -0600. Subject: Sightings in Tennessee. I found 2 on March 28. Those were the first I have seen. I found another today, but its still a little to cold here in Tennessee. Shawn G.- Allons, TN

From: Watfin. Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 10:47:26 EST. Subject: morels in tennessee. Went out yesterday March 31, 2004 after a good rain. At this point last year we had found 167 mushrooms. After yesterday's great haul of 7, thus far this year we have found a grand total of 26 and they have been much smaller this year. Will keep trying, but the season is not starting out very well. These were found in the southern part of middle tennessee near the alabama line Our first find was 11 mushrooms on March 16, 2004 and another 8 morels on March 27, 2004.

From: Jim J. Sent: Sat, 3 Apr 2004 14:02:02 -0500. Subject: morels tennessee. found 3 small grey morels next to poplar/silver maple in residential area harriman tennessee on april 3 west facing slope. looking for a fellow morel hunter nearby.

Sent: Mon, 5 Apr 2004 01:14:00 GMT. Subject: shrooms in Tennessee. Tom, Just wanted to give you a update on the shroom hunting here in TN. I had my first successful hunt on 3/19/04. I found several blks/tans in my favorite honey hole. I've searched the past few days and been lucky so far! I even found a new spot today...with fresh blks. The weather here has been kinda crazy...warm and then down in the 30's at night. I think if the temps would get warmer and we had a little rain shower...I'd be seeing shrooms big time. :) Sincerely, RED in TN

From: Watfin Sent: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 11:01:56 EDT. Subject: more morels in tennessee. Went out again Saturday April 3, 2004. Again a very disapointing find, only 6, 4 blacks and 2 yellows. The only encouraging part is the two yellows were 4 to 41/2 inches in height. By April 4 last year we had found well over 300 morels. What a difference a year makes.These were found in southern middle tennessee near the alabama line.

Sent: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 21:44:28 EDT. Subject: Not much going on here. Went out today, April 9, 2004. We found a grand total of two blacks. If my calculations are correct, that brings the season total to 28 morels. If we do not get some rain soon,the season will end before it ever begins. These were found in the southern part of middle tennessee near the alabama line. Richard in Tennessee

Sent: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 21:00:50 -0500. Subject: North Central Tennessee. Found 3 blacks on the 3rd of April and 5 yellows on the 9th. The "yellows" were very pale and had the appearance of a black morel. Straight ridges, etc. Central Tennessee, Macon County. Henry

Sent: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 08:58:16 -0400. Subject: Sighting in TN. Hi, We went out around Knoxville on 4/9/04 and found about 200 blacks between about 10 people. Very dry, so they were rather small and scattered. We really need a good rain to bring them out. Dave D.

Sent: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 19:33:37 -0500. Subject: Fw: Nashville, TN -- Photo to go with report. Tom, I sent this information to you last week -- this is a repeat -- except we now have picked 303 morels instead of 287. Thanks, Jeff. We've picked 287 morels at our house between 3 April and 9 April They are small to medium yellow/gray. This is almost double the number we picked last season, but in fairness, we found a second patch on our property. We live on five acres -- about 3.5 in woods. When we first bought the property there was a patch where the average morel was about 4 to 5 inches tall. We picked over a bushel that year. But we placed the house in the middle of the patch (didn't have a lot of choice with the building setbacks required). We are thankful for the second patch this year -- located on ridge of a gentle slope. The new patch is located in grove of 10" - 20" Wild Cherry trees. The property is a 32 year old field that was allowed to grow up into a woods. Other primary species on the property, Dogwood, Black Locust, Sugar Maple, Tuliptree, Red Cedar, Common Hackberry, and Boxelder.

Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 09:45:00 -0400. From Chris B. in Mosheim, TN We found about 20 small gray morels in our woods on April 15..they were delicious!

Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 11:16:56 -0400. Subject: Morels in Tennessee. Greene County Tenn. Randy T. and Family. We finally received some much needed rain to get the season underway, it started raining on Easter and rained for 3 days. We received around an inch and a half with the temp in the mid 30's at night and around 55 during the Day starting on April 14th. April 14th, found 2 Grays night temp 35 and day temp at 55, April 15, night temp 53 day temp 73 no rain, we went to the same spot and found 28 grays in 45 minutes. Night temp for the next three days was 56 and days was 78 with no rain. April 16th 48 grays and 4 yellows. April 17th 65 grays and 5 yellows. April 18th 6 grays and 3 yellows. All were found on a northern slope in an area of 1000 square feet., we will need more rain in the next few days to keep the season alive and growing. All Morels were from 3/4 inches to 1 and 1/2 inches tall. Good Luck to All, Randy T. 161 Year to Date, they were wonderful. Thank You Randy T.

Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2004 21:49:13 -0500. Subject: Morels found today in Cannon County, Tennessee (Middle Tennessee area). I'm originally from Southern Indiana and now live in Nashville. Today is the first time I've hunted morels in Tennessee, and have been watching this website for sightings. I went hunting with a friend of mine near Woodbury today, and we only found 3, black ones, but they were absolutely the biggest black morels I remember ever seeing! They were unfortunately a few days old, and starting to crumble. I had taken my digital camera with me to take pictures, but my friend I was hunting with got so excited when she saw the first one she knocked the cap off with her 'shroom stick! It was every bit of 10" tall, the stem was about 4" wide and 3" thick at the bottom. I'll be going again next weekend in Southern Indiana. We'll see how many I find up there! Teena H.

Sent: Tue, 06 Apr 2004 09:38:55 -0400. Subject: Tennessee sightings. April 6th, 2004: Chris Matherly, Eddie McMillan, Ivan Roy, Bob Welker & Mother Sally, Ritchie, Destin, Dave & Gwynn, Todd Hill & Wife, Tony & Charlene Breeden, Colleen Crandell and sister Karen, Barb Wooldridge & Zilpha, Dawne, Scott Umpstead and Jim Miller, found 115 Black Morels on April 1st in Knox County, TN, 62 Black Morels on April 2nd in Knox County, TN, 36 Gray, Yellow and half-free Morels on April 3rd in Roane County, TN, (and several Gyromitra spc. there also), and 140 Gray, Half- Free, and Black Morels in Knox County, TN on April 4th, during the Morel Mushroom Hunting Club's Member Foray, held in Big Ridge State Park. The April newsletter will have all of the photos and details! 343 Total Morels


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Texas:

From: "tombie" Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2004 23:45:57 -0600. Subject: 2004 Morel Sighting. I just found the first morels of the season in my area. I have been checking the woods for 2 weeks now and finally today (Mar. 24, 2004) I found some (nice fresh yellow morels). I am in Sherman, Texas, which is located approximately 60 miles North of Dallas in North Central Texas.

Sent: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 13:19:06 -0600. Subject: texas morel. Hi, Just a line to let you know we found blonde shrooms in Johnson County,Texas on 3/21/04. Near the Cleborne area we tromped the woods for about 3 hours and not only found shrooms but found that peace of mind only found in nature. Love your web site.. Carrie Jo and family

Sent: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 19:35:25 EST. found one small morel white, by a small lake near ft worth tx, still about a week early for here i think 3/21/04. texas jim

From: James M. Sent: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 18:02:36 -0800 (PST). I found one morel on Friday and Three today in Dallas County. They along a creek where there is still some moisture. Two were growing in the moss and the others were in the leaves. The three I found today looked really fresh and were under one of the few American Elms I have found in Texas. We need rain very bad.

Sent: Sat, 3 Apr 2004 22:40:37 -0600. Subject: One Morel. Found one aged morel in the Hill Country, Bexar County, TX, northwest of San Antonio. There probably had been more but the canyon had been ravaged by feral hogs. The "one" escaped by being surrounded by rocks on a steep north facing slope. Boo hoo..Dianne

From: tombie. Sent: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 22:36:23 -0500. Subject: North Texas Morels. Well, the season came and the season went. and what a terrible year it was. North Texas morels didn't fare too well this year. My find of fresh morels on the first day was really the only excitement of the season. Most of my favorite spots didn't produce at all this year, and the ones that did were sparse. All and all, I probably found 1 morel for every 3 hours of walking. The worst year ever. I hope those of you up north have a better season. For us I think the rain came a little too late to do us much good. I've put up my boots.till next year.

Sent: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 05:42:47 -0600 (CST) Subject: Texas. Good Morning, Tom-- Are the sightings reports coming late this year? My sister lives in the hill country near San Antonio and being an old Lacon mushroomer, never dreamed they could be found in Texas--last year very near this time she was looking to buy some abandoned property about a mile from her home and found 3 pounds of over ripe (just a little dry on the edges) morels--she has been over there (she did buy the property and I wonder if it was for fungus rights) every day for the past week and has not seen even one--my brother in Kerrville is also on the alert because he certainly remembers the feast they had last year--these people have been in Texas about 25 years and just now are finding out they grow there! Judy

Sent: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 09:49:06 -0600. Subject: Texas Morels. Chef Dave (me), Ms. M, Officer John, and Lee finally found a few morels at our usual spot near Lake Whitney (Bosque County), Texas. There were forayers from the Texas Mycological Society there as well. No one did all that well. Ms. M and I found a dozen, John found one, just before he tumbled down the ravine (which sort of slowed him down for the rest of the day). We expect more next weekend, since this was a much wetter winter than the past few years. It,s been relatively cool, so we should have a nice crop around the end of March. We sautéed them in butter, removed them from the pan, cooked four lovely soft-shelled crabs (lightly dusted with flour) in the morel flavored butter, then served them sauced with the morels and butter. Yum. David W.-Dallas, Texas

Sent: Sat, 27 Mar 2004 15:35:08 -0600. Subject: Morel Sighting in the Texas Hill Country. Hi there! Eric, Cindy, and Maya here. For the second year, we are lucky enough to have them growing right in our backyard! This year, we're about a week behind, I think because the two weeks of rain came two weeks earlier last year. Trees surrounding are: Mountain Cedar, Live Oak, Red Oak. Have about 25 so far! We live in the Hill Country of Texas, just north of Kerrville (northwest of San Antonio, southwest of Austin).

Sent: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 17:10:40 -0500. Subject: Texas/Virginia. Hi Tom and Vicky, The USAF had me in Texas and I managed to slip away to hunt for some morels. The toughest 14 mushrooms I've ever found. Found them March 21, 24 and 26 in a low flat at the Fort Worth nature center--all yellows. The timing and all of the signs were there, but a bit dry for my liking. I was lucky. I came back to Hampton Virginia to find the season just starting here. I found 12 small blacks the 28th and 15 today (30th). I am fortunate to have my hands on some already. Clay


Turkey:

 

 


Utah:

 


Vermont:

From: Jeanne S. Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 15:01:50 -0400. Subject: Vermont May 10th, 2004. Just spotted a grey morel in a road leading to a hay field near my home near Springfield Vermont. It is all by its lonesome- can you suggest where in the area I should look for more? There are what may be some dying elms in a small wood nearby. I spotted more than a few morels some years ago in New York State, Dutchess County, near some dying cork barked elms.

Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 08:42:09 -0400. Subject: VT Morels. Sightings in VT: April 14 !!!! My wife was raking in our backyard in central VT and found a morel in the leaf pile, almost a full month before I would even expect to start looking! May 1-Found 6 small gray morels in my "stash". May 7-Found 3 more medium sized in the "stash". jmac

Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 20:47:19 EDT. Subject: morels in vermont. May 10 2004 hi all been looking for a week only found some falsies then" i did it" i found my first morels in vermont! whoo hooo!! I found 5 greys 1 big one about 4 inches the others were little but growing. they were in a small patch of white pines in a yard. matt

Date: Thu, 13 May 2004 23:02:13 EDT. Subject: morels in vermont. found another patch of greys in lamoille county about 7 in all around white pines biggest one a monster 5 inches i guess its pretty early to be finding them here, does anyone know why they are up so early? "lets go rain" hope this will be a long season . matt

Date: Fri, 14 May 2004 19:43:04 EDT. Subject: vermont morels. oh boy found for lost i am so dis appionted i just found about 200 blacks all dried up in the garden area of a resort where i work they were in mulch and in a gravel line right up agianst the hotel wall i was so mad i almost cried. it was the biggest patch i have ever seen they were scatered all over and all dried up. i was wondering will grey and yellow grow there too and are they ok to pick and used like dehydrated ones they are crispy dry. matt

 

 


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Virginia

Sent: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 17:10:40 -0500. Subject: Texas/Virginia. Hi Tom and Vicky, The USAF had me in Texas and I managed to slip away to hunt for some morels. The toughest 14 mushrooms I've ever found. Found them March 21, 24 and 26 in a low flat at the Fort Worth nature center--all yellows. The timing and all of the signs were there, but a bit dry for my liking. I was lucky. I came back to Hampton Virginia to find the season just starting here. I found 12 small blacks the 28th and 15 today (30th). I am fortunate to have my hands on some already. Clay

Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2004 11:20:04 -0400. Subject: Virginia Sighting. I found 7 blacks yesterday, April 7, 2004. We are in need of rain to get things going. Location is in Russell County in the south western part of Virginia. Vicky

Sent: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 21:05:32 -0400. Subject: sighting. Found 1 small yellow morel near Amherst, Virginia on Friday, April 9. Need more rain and then some sunny days. Kurt K.

From: TmBdNws. Sent: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 19:03:07 EDT. Subject: New Castle VA. We found 16 blacks last week and today, April 13th, we found 1 black and 11 yellows! YUM!

Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 00:51:06 -0400. Subject: morel sighting. 4/17. Found about 10 morels while exploring near Lexington VA at elevations less than 2000 ft. Not sure how this compares to other years over the same terrain as this was my first time there. I hope to find more next week in my favorite area which is closer to Front Royal. Jay P.

Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 14:41:30 -0400. Subject: found a few morels in VA. Sunday 4/18 I found 4 small blacks just north of Harrisonburg, VA in central Rockingham county. The few I found were growing in my favorite stand of ash trees. We still need a good rain followed by the warm weather we've been having and they'll pop any time. ...BillH

Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 09:06:37 EDT. Subject: Finding Morels. I live and hunt morels near Lynchburg, Virginia. We went out yesterday 4-25-04 and found about 50 morels, mostly yellow. It is raining now and forecasted to rain all day so the morels should be popping up. Great site you have here. Thanks and happy hunting. Donna in VA

 

From: lspory. Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 18:29:39 -0300. Subject: 2004 Virginia Sightings. Northern Virginia Sightings near Front Royal: Saturday, April 24th, found 27 black morels growing in and around dead timber on a shaded hillside. Sunday, April 25th, found 44 yellow morels 20 minutes away from Saturday find in swampy creek area. Large yellow morels (7.5 inches tall) growing mostly among mayflowers and jack-in-the-pulpits. Many small yellows left behind-- perhaps bigger ones to harvest this coming weekend. Saw other mushroom hunters with lots of yellows in same area. Trying again Wednesday, should be thick. Roots

Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 10:24:23 -0500. Subject: sightings. Virginia 4/26/04. Walked a nature trail near DC and found none until back at the trailhead found 4 yellows next to the trailhead trash can!! Sam

Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 17:53:49 -0400. Subject: Virginia Morels. 29 April, Thursday: Son and I picked 28 yellow morels yesterday in southwest Virginia mountains near Wytheville. Perfect eating size. Had taken 35 last weekend, with mixture of half-frees, grays, and few yellows. Although most were found under poplars and near the usual mayapples, got more than previous years sprouting out from oak leaf litter. Would guess there's another week left before done. Happy hunting everyone! Smith Boys, Wytheville, VA


Washington:

From: "Christen" Date: Sat, 27 Mar 2004 21:52:53 -0800. Subject: Washington State near Port Orchard. Sooo.... people other than guys with big beer bellies can find mushrooms. Just kidding, these beauties are the first of the season here in Seattle! Caution to Christen: we got those bellies from eating them. I'm kidding too, of course. Did you know that Morels are listed on the menu of the Atkins Diet? 04/17/04 We've had a request to indicate where the morels are in the picture. We're not sure but have circled in the photo on the right where we think they might be. Maybe Christen can enlighten us. It's always easier to view morels in 3-D.

Sent: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 22:34:27 -0700. Subject: morels in the picture. Yes, you spotted the ones in that photo! Sorry it was hard to decipher. Since then have gathered several pounds of verpa bohemicas and a few esculentas and crassipes. I'll attach a photo of a verpa found this past weekend for fun. - Christen. I'm glad to know that after spending so much time at this computer I haven't lost my touch.

 

Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 16:54:50 -0700 (PDT) Subject: What a great weekend was out visiting my daughter and grand children. I am from ohio and our mushroom season is very sporadic. everyone out here had colds so I decided to take a walk down some of the horse trails in the parks. between yesterday and today I picked over 500 of what are generally described as half frees or frenchies. they also have a more basic description having to do with anatomy. no morels but a few oyster. one of the best days I have ever had. the location is in the lake young area of king county washington. pilgrim from ohio

Sent: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 09:53:33 -0700. Subject: Black Morel Mushrooms. Greetings, I'm located in Vancouver, Washington. I took my children to daycare Monday April 5, 2004 and noticed these crazy looking things growing all over her yard. I mentioned this to her and she said they are all over her yard front and back. We got to looking at them closely and realized they are in fact a mushroom. Concerned with whether or not they are poisonous to touch for the sake of our kids, I found your website and did some research. In researching your website I'm pretty positive these mushrooms in her yard are in fact Black Morel mushrooms standing approx. 3-5 inches tall. I do have to say this is a very interesting web site. Until today I didn't realize there was this many mushroom enthusiasts. However, I do love mushrooms and find this fascinating to research. Thank you Tom! I have learned alot! Lisa

From: Jerry P. Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 14:26:50 -0700. Subject: Fw: ¡Canastas llenas... de colmenillas! Baskets full! Believe it or not, found these morels in eastern Washington on April 18th. Same area produced many more last year but believe we were first to the area and these are the first ones to pop up. Just a few patches with perfect conditions were found. We haven't been "resting on our laurels" but will be "festing on our morels"...with seasoned "grape juice" of appropriate vintage.

From: Tye H. Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 13:31:07 -0700. Subject: Washington. For the current report on Washington, Eastern Washington is a big place. Will the sender be more specific about the general location? Thanks

Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 20:06:32 -0700. Found about 200 black morels surrounding the Cle Elem area of Washington State. It was hard work and took two full days, Sunday and Monday 4-25-26. "Morels are where you find them" was revisited for me. Didn't find any in the usual places of open areas around the cottonwoods of the river bottoms. So, I started looking in different habitats,which this trip included the thorny areas under the area of mixed dogwood and native roses. Usually I avoided those areas since I thought I never found them there. Maybe I didn't want to find them there. But, "morels are where you find them." Tom G.

Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 07:54:39 -0700 (PDT). Subject: Fwd: morels. morels are up in cle elum washington. picked these on 4/27 in a river bed near cottonwoods. monica

From: Tom G. Date: Sat, 8 May 2004 19:52:17 -0700. Subject: washington morels. May 7 and 8 Two more days of enjoyable picking yielded about 100 black morels east of White Pass off Route 12 in eastern Washington State. Lower elvations are starting to dry out and we found these about 2500' elvation under mixed ponderosa pine and spruce.

Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 06:42:35 -0700 (PDT). we picked 8 pounds of morels on sat may 8 in the methow valley at the farewell creek burn in washington. it was easy picking....they were everywhere, but the area definitely needs some rain to really bring em out. we picked 5 pounds on sunday may 15 in the burn areas surrounding the methow valley in washington. saw some asian commercial pickers this time out and decided to pick in the areas that didn't allow commercial picking. smart thing to do. area still very dry....some rain would really make em pop. happy hunting.monica

Date: Thu, 13 May 2004 21:38:19 -0700. Subject: Morels in E WA state. Spring seems to be a bit ahead of schedule here this year - fires are already reported (good for the 2005 season). My hubby and I went hunting in Eastern Washington 5/10-5/12. Struck out at 1 fire (still snow on the ground, but collected some yummy gigas). Went back to a 2002 fire we hunted on last year, and did GREAT. We don't know exactly how many pounds, but I figure the dryer will be humming for several days. Per the GPS we were above 4,000, facing SE and SW. We found pretty good steady veins around the ridgetop or just below, up for at least 500,. They were pretty fresh, in that "mixed" cover they seem to like - partial shade, some leaves/needles, grass, shrubs. We found quite a few nestled in grass or shrub stalks. We were disappointed to have to come home yesterday, but I figure we've hit capacity until we can go out again. Susanne A.

Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 07:51:35 -0700. Subject: Morel Find! We found these Morels off of HWY 410 (off on an undisclosed logging road) in Washington State, at an elevation of 3700' on May 8th. We've had some rain over the past week and conditions should be even better to find many more. The ticks are out in full force, so carry (use) the bug spray and check yourself often. Jeff A. - Selah, WA


West Virginia:

Sent: Wed, 7 Apr 2004 22:10:44 -0500. Subject: West Virginia, Huntington Morels. Hello, Thanks for the site and nicely done. I am new to this area and have a 9 yr old step son I would like to introduce to looking for morels. His attention span is short like most 9 yr olds. I have offered to take him into the woods the next couple of weeks. My guess is if we don't find any the first couple of days or so he will loose interest. Looking for any areas we might have better odds at. Appreciate the help if you can offer any. Enjoy, Pat O.

Sent: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 23:42:07 -0400. JD West Virginia... Just wanted to let you know that I finally found a morel!!! It was located near Charleston WV.

Sent: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 18:23:00 EDT. Subject: morels. I haven't found any yet.But the weather looks promising for the weekend here in N Central WV.I hope to find some mid next week. Kawboyupt

From: Pat. Sent: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 10:45:59 -0500. Subject: WV Sightings. I have been out in the woods for several days in Northern WV Huntington area with no luck. Seems to be perfect conditions? New to the area and having problems finding them. Any advice at all for the Huntington area would be greatly appreciated. When I lived in Iowa we had my father's spots to check every year. Not so lucky anymore. Trying to introduce my 9 year old step son to the Morel and the woods. Please help before his Attention span runs out. Elm trees seem to pretty far and few between here. Is this the case or am I in the wrong spots? We have been to Cooper Hollow, OH. Beach Fork State Park, WV.. Ritter and Rotary Park Huntington, WV

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 15:57:07 -0600. Subject: Morels. My mother and I are going hunting this morning in the Putnam, WV area. I'v heard a lot of good news from folks at work about the Huntington, Wayne county area. On the other hand, my barber told me folks think its a bad year. Will see who is correct. I'll let ya know how it goes. Mike

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 20:29:31 -0400. Subject: N Central WV. Walking in the woods today we found about 1 dozen Golden Morels. It still seems very early for our area w/ the late frost. We expect many more later in the month. We are looking in North Central WV area. WVFamily

From: william h. Sent: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 17:36:04 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Morel Sighting. Morel sighting! Morel sighting! My friend and I have went hunt'en 2 times and found only 9, but it's a start. We found them up Point Lick Hollow of Campbells Creek, that's just east of Charleston W.V.

Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 08:58:30 -0500. Subject: found a few in Tyler Co. WV. Howdy morel maniacs- We finally found 3 small greys on Earth Day (April 22)! Thanks mother nature. :) Will be hunting all weekend for them , to accompany the wild turkey we'll be hoping to bag next week! Good luck to all, Pam and Buddy in Tyler co, WV.

From: Sarah L. Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 20:43:52 -0600. Well, I did'nt have any luck in the Putnam/Mason WV area. I talked with some folks that say a near-by state park is usually pretty good. Back to the Coal mines for a couple days. I'll let you know how the state park does four days from now.

From: Kawboyup. Sent: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 01:13:25 EDT. Subject: morels finally found some,found eight the25th,my friend and his buddy found about fifty nice yellow ones.I found alot of blacks and small grays today the 26th.Another friend of mine said that they found 150 today but I haven't seen them yet.All have been on the north facing slopes at or near the top of the hill around elms and cherry.If anybody else is finding any here in NCentral WV please report or email. Thank You

Sent: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 22:21:20 -0400.Subject: JD WEST VIRGINIA...I went out on april 24th and 25th near charleston, WV. I found 33 nice yellow morels, several were at or nearly at seven inches. I will post some photos when I get them developed.

From: KROLWAY. Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 16:12:22 EDT. Subject: west virginia yallows. 04-27-04 my broyher and i went out this afternoon, we found 73 yellows, 1 black, and 1 false, looks like season is under way in lincoln county west virginia!!! happy hunting everyone, looks like a shroom dinner tonight:>)

From: Josh G. Sent: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 14:34:40 -0400. Subject: Hey -- April 24, Monongalia County West Virginia, in the northern hills, found a dozen 2 to 3 inchers ... looked like the Turkeys got the rest.

From: Sarah L. Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 12:19:12 -0600. Found a dozen in a State Park near Point Pleasant on the 29th. Most had dried out spots on them. Found a dozen in a West Virginia State Park near Point Pleasant on the 29th. Most had dried out spots on them.

Sent: Sun, 2 May 2004 16:30:34 -0400. Subject: Largest we've seen this year! These are untouched photos of the morels we've found this afternoon. They each weigh about 1/4 pound and are firm and moist. It now seems to be the perfect time to pick them. We pick in North Central West Virginia area. Good luck to all of you! Sorry, I couldn't get the picture to open


Wisconsin:

From: Tim K. Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2004 22:37:01 -0500. Subject: 1st Morel. Found 2 small grays on a south facing limestone hill in Rock County Wisconsin. They have been up for a while as the tops are frostbitten and the temperatures were below freezing earlier in the week.

From: Rich and Laura U. Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 12:18:35 -0500. Wisconsin. from Silver Bullet: found about 30-40 grays on south facing grassy hillside. most were 2-3 inches tall. ground is fairly moist. need some warmer temps. southwest WI

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 08:00:18 -0500. Subject: mushrooms in Wisconsin!!!! Hi Tom! Found the first mushrooms this morning in southern Rock County! We have had about an inch of rain in the last 36 hours, and the soil temp has been above 54 degrees for the last 4 days! See you in Magnolia! Beth M.

Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2004 13:49:39 -0500. Subject: morels in wisconsin. We have spotted the first morel in VERNON COUNTY. It wasn't very big though. Ian and Justin

Sent: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 09:50:05 -0600. Subject: Sightings. Jason here from Morelmasters. I found my 1st morel on April 19th on a south facing open pasture. 3 little greys around a half an inch tall. South hillsides should be ready to harvest around the 1st of May. Season should peak around Mother's Day here in sw Wisconsin. Things look real good going into season as far as moisture goes. As soon as we get a warm up the morels will really take off. Good Luck To ALL!

Date: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 18:25:19 -0500. Subject: from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. April 29: Finally found 36 light greys and yellows in Milwaukee County Park each about 3-4 inches in height. Mary Jo J. (MJ)

Sent: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 03:11:24 EDT. Subject: Morels!!!!! Hi from the badger state!!! My wife found 1 mushroom on her break at work! If we get some rain the shrooms should begin to pop bigtime!!!! (I hope).Good luck to ALL!! (I beat you this year TIM!!!)

Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2004 9:05 PM. Subject: Wisconsin Morels. Sunday, May 2nd, 2004. Found approx. 2 pounds this morning just north of the Dane/ Rock Co. line. It was snowing like crazy. Can't wait to get back there in a week or so. These were grays and yellows with the biggest one about 3" high. Take care, Bruce

Date: Mon, 3 May 2004 07:45:06 -0500. Subject: Wisconsin results. Great weekend (5/1) in southwest Wisconsin (Dickeyville). Only found about six dozen grays on Friday but hit the motherlode with one tree on Saturday! Found about 7 lbs. of grays under a single newly dead elm tree.no bark even off yet! Found an additional 2 lbs. in the afternoon ­ about half of them yellows.and everything was on the south slopes. Heading back up to my parents this upcoming weekend and with the predicted moisture and warmer temperatures it could be another banner spring! Kathy

From: jeffrey f. Date: Sat, 08 May 2004 03:30:54 +0000. Subject: Morels in Wisconsin, Rock County. My first year hunting morels and very excited to report that this morning on my 4rth outing in the woods me and my brother in law found a dozen on a south facing slope. I think the smallest might even be a white. Elms and ash trees. I'm hooked.

Date: Sat, 8 May 2004 20:28:27 -0500. Subject: Little grays and tiny whites in Wisconsin. Green Bay, Wisconsin. May 8/04. Was out this afternoon in the Green Bay, WI area and picked about 55 little grays. Just enough to add to a frittata for Sunday brunch. Got a question for the experts though. The attached picture shows the little grays on top and some really tiny whites on the bottom. The digital pictures came out as both being brown, but the tops are gray and the two small ones are distinctively white's. I have been picking morels for more than 35 years and have never came across these tiny white ones. I am very confident that they are morels but did not believe that there were any species that are this tiny. Anyone know about this species or are these little guys going to grow big if I didn't pick them. Oh ya, Larry, get out there, they are starting to pop! Dennis in Green Bay.

Date: Sat, 08 May 2004 22:32:40 +0000. Subject: Manitowoc County, WI. Found a couple of small yellows in Manitowoc County, WI May 8th. Left them to grow some more. JP

From: jeffrey f. Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 15:27:45 +0000. Subject: Wisconsin, Rock County. Half free morels. Hello, I found some half free morels yesterday ( monday ) I thought I would share with you. All growing on the top of a hill within five feet of an old shagbark hickory tree. Never saw one before and at first glimpse I thought they were true as the cap on two were almost ( not quite ) connected at the base. Otherwise a day of slim pickins for me as I only found two true morels. Pretty hot and humid day for may.

From: Sean M. Date: Thu, 13 May 2004 21:00:56 -0700 (PDT). Subject: Morel Update. Southwestern Wisconsin. Near town of Mazomanie. Will send photo soon. Since the 8th I have found at least five pounds a day. On Tuesday I found 10 pounds under two dead elms. Today was the "Mother Lode". I found 143 of them under one single Elm tree. They were all huge! I had been out for about two hours when I saw a large bare tree across a corn field on the land I was on. I had at first doubted that it was an Elm as it looked too big. I actually debated boycotting the walk but I am glad that I didn't. Upon arriving at the tree, I quickly realized that I had discovered one of those "special" trees that I have only read about. The first two hours of my day yielded less than a pound. However, the half hour I spent under the huge dead Elm came to a total yield of over 13.6 pounds. WOO HOO!!!

From: Steve P. Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 05:44:24 -0500. Subject: sightings in green bay. Just found some in my back yard in green bay. My first sighting ever. Very exciting. May 15, 2004.

From: John V. Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 21:11:58 -0500. Subject: Vernon County, WI Morels. The spongy fungi were really poppin' in Vernon County near Liberty in Southwest Wisconsin this past week. A lot of the folks we talked to were hitting the "Mother Lode" of morels - including one guy who claimed he picked about 30 pounds in two days. Lots of rain from 5/8 through 5/12 really helped in spite of cooler than average temperatures. My brother, my wife, and I did very well on the afternoon of 5/12 with about 9 pounds of very nice large yellows including this dandy cluster of 4 in the attached picture (note the dead elm on the right side of the photo). All were found on South-facing slopes and nearly all were in the vicinity of dead elms, although we did find about 10 or so in old patches of golden rod stems quite far from the nearest trees. (I've encountered early some season grays in this type of cover in previous years, but never any sizeable yellows like we found this year.)

Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 02:41:44 +0000. May 15-16th Manitowoc County to Calumet County, Wisconsin. There everywhere. I don't have enough time to pick them all. JP

Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 11:45:39 -0500. Subject: grays and big tans in Green Bay, WI area. Green Bay WI Area: I Was out Saturday May 15 and found bunches of big grays and a few tans. I was out this morning May 17 and found the big tans have popped. We have had a lot of rain in the last few days and the ground is pretty wet. Dennis in Green Bay.

Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 20:39:43 -0700 (PDT). Subject: Morels Sean M. Southwestern WI, near Mazomanie.This season has been great. Went out today for a few hours and found over 50 of the tasty treats. They are still coming up even though the season should be coming to a close soon. (Many of the ones I found were far past their prime or I would have had over 100 of them.) To date: 68 pounds have been put in my mesh bags. Sold 40 pounds on Sunday at the Muscoda Morel Festival. Don't know how much longer they will keep popping up but I'm going to keep looking. Here's a few pics of my precious daughter's showing off todays find. Happy hunting to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 22:04:17 -0500. Subject: Morels in Manitowoc County Wisconsin. Was in Richland County the last couple days, everyone there said the shroom season was hot...went out with what little time I had and found none...I've come home now and called a hunting buddy to see if I could walk his lease in Manitowoc County to look for morels...he said he may have some behind his house near Kiel...I found 16 yellow ones but it was getting dark...I'm hoping to find more when I can in the next couple days...I never gave it much thought about shrooming in this part of the state...till I found your website! I don't think many people do it, or it's a big secret! Phil

Date: Thu, 20 May 2004 18:19:32 -0500. Subject: Pepin County Wisconsin. May 20, 2004 Rained last night and the morels are everywhere in the woods along the hillsides below ag fields. I picked at least 30 pounds in a couple of hours today!! Still lots left and no one is out hunting. Tim, Pepin WI

Date: Sun, 30 May 2004 20:58:45 -0700. Subject: Morels in West central WI. Hey folks..I'm from Ridgeland WI..& I have a fine crop blooming in an old apple orchard area near my yard..started about mid May..also in my yard by the sidewalk of all places! Just FYI! Steve

From: Lynn G. Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2004 12:17:16 -0500. Subject: Large Yellows. Found 13 Large Yellows 6-8" 06/01/2004 in Polk County, Northwestern WI

From: Makwa1 Date: Sun, 6 Jun 2004 14:47:58 -0500. Subject: morel sighting. I picked a few friday June 4th 2004 in my backyard, Minocqua WI

Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2004 17:39:47 -0500. Subject: Morel finding. Hello, On June 14 I found 8 large yellow morels near Spooner, WI in Washburn County. That's in northwestern Wisconsin. My first find ever. Bob

 


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Sent: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 14:07:21 EST. Subject: Greys found today. Found three greys no more than an inch tall. All found under cedar trees with a major pasture wash out very near. Tempature in the 50's and expected in the 20's tonight. Good Luck to all!!!! Breck

From: Rick S. Sent: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 00:02:49 -0600. Subject: 1 found. Went to fav. spot near Chattanooga found 1 nice grey, in a wash near where i usually find them may apple patches just comming with lots of trilum near, another cold spell might slow them down, but they are on there way.

Sent: Sat, 27 Mar 2004 13:37:25 -0800. Subject: Morels. Hi again Tom. No reports of findings from the Huntsville area. Normally have found morels by this date. Hot and dry and if it rains soon there may be some. Otherwise this season will be a bust. Leaving soon for N.C. Idaho and some good morel hunting. Dick C.

From: Roger T. Sent: Sat, 27 Mar 2004 12:50:09 -0600. Subject: black mushrooms. Today March 27 9:00 am I found 6 about an inch tall.I will go out to my grey area this afternoon.We have had quite a lot of rain lately. The weather has been warm also.Go mushrooms.

Sent: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 19:15:13 -0600. Subject: There Here. 4-26-04 on a sunny small gentle rolling hillside along a creek facing the south west just off the cumberland plateau there standing 3in tall about a dozen black morrels just popped up , honeysuckle present mayapples just beside a small creek running nt to st will go back in 2 days to see if my regular patches are up. Rick in crossville

Sent: Sat, 3 Apr 2004 17:46:32 -0600 Subject: Perry county shrooms. Found five little dinks today at my best spot. Look for a bunch by Monday. First time poster. Found three on the same date last year. Charlie from the southeast corner of Perry county.

Sent: Thu, 8 Apr 2004 19:13:26 -0500. Subject: Im hooked on morel Mania. Hi Tom!! I am 17 yrs old and about a month ago i was in my AP biology class and my teacher said somthing about Morel Hunts and me and two of my friends laughed and thought it was hilarious that somebody would hunt for these things. But, we are people who will try anything once so we looked in books and decided that tomarrow, April 9th would be the best day to hunt these suckers. I am not going to tell you my exact location, because who would right? But i will tell you that i live in Lake county. I just wanted you to clarify some morel tips i have encountered: Look near dead trees, specifically elm, ash, and hickory swampy wet areas have to be hollow, or they are fake. they are tasty. Happy Hunting! Dan S.

Sent: Sun, 11 Apr 2004 08:56:47 EDT. Subject: Please Post this as much as you can. I've been hunting mushrooms for 45 yr's. I know I've messed up a lot of good spots. Now that the internet has came I've learned, always use a plastic bag with holes, like onion sacks. So the spors can fall out while hunting. Do not disturb the woods anymore than possible; if you don't see them they're not ready. Last but not least, try to leave 2 behind, old or new one's. They come in pairs, it takes 2 to tango. Do these things and there will be mushrooms for all. Thank you, and Happy Hunting!!!! Larry

Sent: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 18:36:11 -0500. Subject: 38 greys under one tree! found all of these in a circle around a dead elm tree that had just shed it bark this winter!! first time out, can,t get any better than this!! sister is fixing them right now!! have to go, they smell soooo good rk

From: Kizzy. Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 23:21:55 -0400. Subject: false morels.. I have have about 100 falsies... is this any indication some will be there in the future? if we could eat them id be in "heaven" LOL!

From: ALLROCK. Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 09:24:42 EDT. Subject: morels are coming. Found 438 black beauties trout fishing near Baldwin this past weekend. The majority of them were around 2 inches tall. Need rain.

Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 19:13:29 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: whites and grays. Hi, I got whites and grays on 4-26. Only 11, but they were tasty. The first I saw were on 4-21. Broady.

Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 22:49:00 -0500 (Central Standard Time). Subject: Bass Lake Mike Picked 200 ++++ Moerls 4/21/04 . and here is some pictures.

From: Maxiesmaster. Sent: Thu, 29 Apr 2004 06:52:47 EDT. Subject: first pickings Wednesday, April 28th, 82 degrees, winds blowing 40mph, checked all favorite spots in Southern Rock County, and found none, soil is real dry, need some rain bad to really push them out of the ground, but low and behold, checked last spot on an East-West road, Southern side in 6 inch high grass on the edge of a corn field, close to the base of an old dead elm, and found 39 shroomies averaging 3 to 4 inches high, a mix of grays and browns, some had already dried up and were broke off, and some were zapped by our Monday night low of 30 degrees, but almost 2/3 of the batch were in full tact, looking good and are now resting comfortably in my frig. Going back out today to hit the east West railroad tracks in Southern Rock county to see if the warm day and night may have pushed a few, but still a little early and way to dry, next week should start being good, with the week after that being hot.... Happy Pickings!

 

From: Greg. Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 07:20:30 -0400. Subject: RE: Mushrooms Pics

From: "Mike Van D. Sent: Sun, 2 May 2004 13:23:16 -0500Subject: Morels? Found these in 2 minutes !!!

Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 20:24:53 -0500 (Central Daylight Time). Subject: Shrooms. Hello, from chelsea area here. Finding whites and blacks. Slow coming, but coming faster now with all the rain. This weekend is going to be great. Found 14 big whites and 3 little grey/blacks. Not too bad. Keep tromping everyone!

From: thomas k. Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 15:48:19 -0400. Found 30 tan and black morels in and around oak trees on May 8, 2004. Data from a happy Morel hunter.

Date: Thu, 13 May 2004 18:38:10 -0500. Subject: MUSHROOM FEVER!! found about 20 yellows 2-5''. most by dead elms; a few under a dead apple tree..from:greg y.schrooming in st.clair county.

Date: Sat, 15 May 2004 09:55:56 EDT. Subject: more more. my first time picking morels, found more yesterday, 45 half morels , 10 bells, so much fun, enjoying picking morels. like to hear from other in Utica, thanks mike

From: Brian N. Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 22:05:29 -0500. Subject: nwa morel hunting. we are not finding any in fayettevile anymore 5-16-04 is anyone else finding any please post

From: Kristin A. Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 14:43:11 +0000. Subject: Morels. Here are some morels we found in Ulster County in early May!

Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 22:32:21 EDT. subject: more morel. Found 45 half free morels 10 bells 8 grays , 12 yellows, out side of Utica 1000 feet elv, so much fun hunting morels,cant wait,thanks mike.



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