Mixed bag this morning

[Herky2002]

My son and I traipsed through the wet woods this morning and came back with quite a mixed bag. 10 morels, but all big yellows well past their prime, unfortunately. Two big pheasant backs and we found so many oysters we got tired of picking them. He had a blast, despite getting soaked and covered in mud. Here's our haul:

[Stick in Mud]

Nice!!

[pushbutton]

Nice job on the haul and getting Herky Jr. out!

[Herky2002]

Nice job on the haul and getting Herky Jr. out!

Thanks. Herky Jr. chomped on all the morels tonight. He said I could have all the pheasant backs I wanted!

[Stick in Mud]

Yeah, those are some old pheasants...Did you fry them all up or just the margins?

[Herky2002]

Yeah, those are some old pheasants...Did you fry them all up or just the margins?

Just around the very edges. But they were rubbery and not good at all.

[Stick in Mud]

Yeah, they're much better when they're very small. I usually leave them if they're much bigger than a silver dollar.

[Tom Sawyer]

Located my first pheasant backs and a huge burnt morel with Rick G. biking the trail this afternoon. Not enough rotting aspen for any osters. He has the pics.

Way to many bugs to look to long off the saddle; if it wouldn't have been as breezy as it was, I doubt I would've looked as long as I did.

[pushbutton]

Saw what is probably spent crown tip today, for sure some type of coral, while picking the last of the morels. Kind of bummed me out ...... I know it is almost sacrilege to say.... the morels are certainly a tasty shroom, but plenty out there equal or better....this being one.

[Stick in Mud]

I agree, PB. I do think morels are very good, but I honestly don't know why so many people go NUTS over morels when there are numerous other easily identified, safe mushrooms that taste as good or better. Some people don't like any mushrooms, of course, and we all have different tastes, but I do find it curious that morels receive so much attention.

I'm curious what others think...I'd put black trumpets, hens, lion's mane, and porcini above morels. Maybe even a prime chicken.

[JP Z]

See for me I just wanted to find a couple of the darn things. As far as preference I love Chants, Oysters, and Hedgehogs. Never had porcini, Hen of the Woods or Trumpets...... I'm more of a mild mushroom flavor kinda guy.

[Herky2002]

I agree, PB. I do think morels are very good, but I honestly don't know why so many people go NUTS over morels when there are numerous other easily identified, safe mushrooms that taste as good or better. Some people don't like any mushrooms, of course, and we all have different tastes, but I do find it curious that morels receive so much attention.

I'm curious what others think...I'd put black trumpets, hens, lion's mane, and porcini above morels. Maybe even a prime chicken.

Other than the so-called "safe six," and the pheasant backs, Herky Jr. and I haven't really been confident enough in our id skills to try much else. Are there some books you'd recommend that could give us more confidence in recognizing some of those others you mentioned?

[pushbutton]

Personally, google is what I have almost entirely used. It is the internet though, buyer beware, and cross referencing every informational aspect is a must. I mainly have fun with this and don't really care if I can identify the thousands of subspecies out there.....just the 20 or so I can rather easily safely eat, and the 20 or so that can make life for me rather unpleasant. "Mushrooms Demystified" and "100 Edible Mushrooms" are perhaps the most frequently named book references. A combination, is perhaps the best approach. Both have pluses and minuses. Regardless, it is far from rocket science, but ultimately time....in the field and classroom...... does have to be spent learning the basics.

[erikwells]

I found the white almost stringy "Coral" mushrooms albeit small yesterday and harvested a few and they are delicious. I found oysters, a big hedgehog and a very wet almost like jello COW. Ate some of all of them last night and I'm still here and feeling just fine. Can't wait til next weekend when I have my boys at the lake for the week. Fishing swimming and mushroom hunting for 10 straight days. The mushroom hunting is a lot of fun thanks for all the help folks.

Erik

[Stick in Mud]

You found a hedgehog already, Erik?!? Nicely done.

Regarding reference books, "100 Edible Mushrooms" is probably my favorite. There are a few guidebooks that are good; just try Amazon to get an idea of what is out there.

I did find about 20 or 30 waaay past prime morels today. Was driving by a lake, looked at the pubic access to see if anyone was out fishing, and saw two huge dead elms. Figured I'd give them a look, and sure enough, there were a bunch under them. Only a week (or more) too late.

[Herky2002]

Thanks guys. Herky Jr. and I will try to expand our mushroom list this summer.

[erikwells]

Stick in the mud, I did fine one lonely hedgehog. I think it's my new favorite mushroom. The coral mushrooms are really good too. I found a dryads saddle which is just ok, found some oysters too. Found a few others that I wasn't sure about so I let them be. Mushroom hunting was more productive than fishing this weekend.

[JP Z]

Erik,

You hunting around the Elk River area? I'm thinking Brainerd area might start popping this weekend pretty good........at least I hope so.

[erikwells]

JPZ I'm doing my mushroom hunting in Northern Kandiyohi county/New London area.

[JP Z]

Thanks Erik. Can't wait to get back in the woods.