First COW of the year

[Stick in Mud]

Hello all,

Any successful finds out there? I've been hitting it a bit less than usual because the skeeters are so bad this year, but I've managed enough time to keep the dehydrator full of oysters for the time being. They'll taste...OK...come December.

I saw my first baby chicken today, too, so they're about ready to go. I imagine this rain will get them going quite nicely.

Other than that, I haven't found much in the way of edibles. That'll soon change, though.

[pushbutton]

Almost went out today......almost. Huh, would have thought the woods would be full of chickens by now. They are the ones that taste ...ok....come Dec ....and so far are not a big enough draw to donate any more to the blood bank. Suppose though, will hike up the skirt and see whats out there by the weekends end.

[Stick in Mud]

Yeah, I did expect to find some more. The oysters today were getting very close to being no good...I didn't take any, but if my taste buds were less refined, I might've scavenged a few.

[Matt Breuer]

Still pretty early by looking at my logs, usually June 20th or so the spring chickens hit up north here. Is it late-July yet? Oysters and coral just aren't enough to get me into the woods right meow...

[pikestabber]

@ Matt, as another up north picker, what should I be looking for to find Oysters? That's one I've never went after. I've heard low-lying aspen, but I thought I'd check with someone regionally closer to see if that holds true up here?

[Matt Breuer]

Dead or dying quaking aspen is great up here. Poplar too. Some will grow on living wood, but 90% of the time it's going to be on fallen stuff. Low lying areas aren't essential, but they hold more humidity during hot days, so that aids in growth. They will pop after hard rains, especially with heat/humidity all summer...

[JP Z]

Found my first oysters of the year last night doing a quick drive through my hunting property. There were quite a few past prime as well. I figure with the huge downpour we got last night even more will be popping soon enough.

[JP Z]

Quick question for you Stick, How do you dehydrate oysters? Is it just a simple put them in or do you have to prep them some how?

[Stick in Mud]

I slice them up and toss them in the dehydrator...It's super easy. Sometimes I even leave a few of the black beetles in there for a little crunch upon rehydrating.

[JP Z]

So you do slice them, that was my main question. Thanks, yeah beetles are tasty, a nice crunch. I've found the white worms are a bit too chewy.

[Stick in Mud]

Yep, I slice them. Some of them are so big each one would take up almost an entire tray in the dehydrator.