Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If you want access to members only forums on HSO, you will gain access only when you Sign-in or Sign-Up .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member. ?

Recommended Posts

The Blackberries are out :)

 

Went and checked a few of my chant spots with no luck, but found a bunch of blackberries on my way out of the woods along an overgrown trail. 

 

A bear beat me to the best bushes and knocked a lot of them down, but I was still able to pick a couple pounds to make into jam :)

 

I used an old secret recipe handed down from Google. Berries, sugar, corn starch, cinnamon and allspice.

 

0708151406.jpg

 

0708151426.jpg

 

0708151534.jpg

 

0708151615.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice haul, I managed to find a few lobsters this weekend, but no chants as well. The mosquitos and deer flies were relentless and the 90 degree heat made for a short trip in the woods. Those appear to be black raspberries are they not, I found a bunch of blackberries this weekend, but they are still along ways off. Either way, they will be delicious!! The raspberries where I was searching were all beat down as well, with a pretty good trail coming to and from! Found a few blueberries and dew berries, but not enough to make anything out of. I ended up eating them all before I got back to the cabin!

IMG_2364.JPG

IMG_2380.JPG

IMG_2382.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes they are mostly black raspberries, but I picked some normal blackberries and red raspberries as well. I get lazy and lump the names all together :)

 

Went out for blueberries this weekend up north. Very, very few and far in between in my normal spots :(

 

With the consistent rains and average temps I thought it would be another banner year like last year? But I have heard they can can alternate up and down naturally just like acorns and other wild crops?

 

2014 was awesome, 2013 was poor, and 2012 was awesome as well. So maybe next year will be good again :)

 

 

Edited by B-man715
Spelling
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last year we had a bumper crop of raspberries and blackberries. This year, the raspberries are not looking to good, but if the bears stay out of the blackberries we should have some good picking to come!! I had seen someone from Ontario post elsewhere, a huge bucket of blueberries, but I only found a few here and there as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been busier than normal this year, so apart from portage trails and a few quick trips to the woods, I haven't done much looking.  In Quetico, at least, the chants are *just* starting to appear.  They certainly should be out and about in most of the state by now, especially if the lobsters are crawling around.  After next week, I'm a a free condemned man, so I should be able to get out and see what's available.  Sounds like I'll keep my hopes down, though. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I finally made it out last night in the metro and was not disappointed.  I was able to pretty much pick chants at will.  The only problem was that the couple of downpours we got recently had dirt splashed up on many of them.  I had to leave a lot of prime mushrooms because it would have just been too hard to clean them.  I still ended up with a heaping grocery bag full of beauties in about an hour and a half of picking.  I also found my first metro lobster, but it was too far gone to pick. It was hotter than heck and the mosquitoes were vicious, but it was worth it.

Poor, poor Stick.  The noose is getting tighter...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I finally made it out last night in the metro and was not disappointed.  I was able to pretty much pick chants at will.  The only problem was that the couple of downpours we got recently had dirt splashed up on many of them.  I had to leave a lot of prime mushrooms because it would have just been too hard to clean them.  I still ended up with a heaping grocery bag full of beauties in about an hour and a half of picking.  I also found my first metro lobster, but it was too far gone to pick. It was hotter than heck and the mosquitoes were vicious, but it was worth it.

Poor, poor Stick.  The noose is getting tighter...

​If you don't mind sharing, what sort of environment are you finding them in. I have read to look for them around white oaks in the southern part of the state and around conifers in the northern half. The under growth in the area I was looking last weekend was pretty thick, would have been tough to see them for the most part. I did search for them around the edges of swampy area, but no luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ALways get excited about the early reports, but my spots usually never produce until august. Suppose will have to take a peek now though. Guess the lobsters too. Raspberries grow wild in my yard, so got that checked off already.

Icehole, my best spots are upland sandy grassy/light open shrubby areas near oaks. Curious as well as to what others say. Never have picked in evergreen.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You definitely want to concentrate on white oaks if you are in the south part of the state.  Where I find them, the under growth is very light.  I can see them from 100 feet away.  Best are small openings under a thick canopy where some light comes through and wispy grasses are growing.  Even better if it's on a hill. 

I've also found them around oaks in the Brainerd area.  Farther north, into Canada, I've found them more around conifers, though my experience up there has been pretty limited.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are plenty of oak trees where I was looking, but no white oak. I will keep on looking, not giving up after only a few hours. Once we start bear baiting, we will be all over in the woods, hopefully I will stumble into some. Going back up this weekend to work on a couple of projects, and will do some looking while I'm there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I finally made it out last night in the metro and was not disappointed.  I was able to pretty much pick chants at will.  The only problem was that the couple of downpours we got recently had dirt splashed up on many of them.  I had to leave a lot of prime mushrooms because it would have just been too hard to clean them.  I still ended up with a heaping grocery bag full of beauties in about an hour and a half of picking.  I also found my first metro lobster, but it was too far gone to pick. It was hotter than heck and the mosquitoes were vicious, but it was worth it.

Poor, poor Stick.  The noose is getting tighter...

​Pot, meet kettle.  Kettle, meet pot.  :) 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think of looking for chants the same way as I think about powerfishing for bass.  Cover lots of water, move fast, and when you find one, then slow down.  They're pretty easy to see most of the time, so putting some miles on is usually the best way to find them. If I was physically capable of jogging more than 100 feet, I'd probably just run through the woods. :)   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like Stick's analogy.  There is no poking around the woods looking for chants.  The things practically glow.  I walk through the woods as fast as I comfortably can, scanning side to side.  I'm sure I miss a few loners or two, but they usually grow in groups, and I don't miss those.

Stick, I got permission to add a mushroom or two to the little flowery thingy that gets pinned to my suit.  I figure at the very least it will be a snack if I decide to make a run for it at the last minute.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My pace is usually directly correlated to the amount of little winged critters trying to eat me. And yep, even my deteriorating eyesight can pick out the chants at a distance. Enjoy those last few days of freedom guys!!!!

Jp, am going to try that fridge thing for sure. My favorite way to cook chants .....well the flatter caps ........is to season, oil, and then cook whole about 10 minutesish (5 a side) on the grill. Then drizzle with balsamic,  add a melty white cheese, and put back on the grill till the cheese bubbles.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds like we are losing a couple good soldiers....... Godspeed my friends, Godspeed :) LOL

 

 

I snuck out after work for about 45 minutes (all I could handle with the bugs).  I wasn't 20 yards into the woods when I found an area with a dozen chanterelles :)  All but three were just babies (left them to grow). Then I managed to find a few more along with a nice young chicken. Also walked right through a big patch of poison ivy because the fricken flies and skeeters had me so distracted:( 

0715151651.jpg

 

0715151706.jpg

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep, you know it is the start of summer fun time when Jerky shows up with one of his epic table shots. As such, headed out after work last night and found them just starting. Saw hundreds of buttons, picked a few of the biggest for supper and breakfast, and know what I will be doing every third day day or so for the next couple of weeks. Also saw the russulas the lobsters feed on and suspect they are popping too. Might be jinxing myself, but only had a short walk and did so with short sleeves and shorts. .....and only got bit a few times?!?!

Spiced lamb and chant bruschetta....

 

20150715_232729.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now ↓↓↓ or ask your question and then register. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.