Morel Mushroom Hunting Tips For Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota

There are five seasons in Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota ... Winter, Fall, Summer, Spring, and Mushroom season.

But finding Morel Mushrooms is an art form.

To me, the taste of Fried Morel Mushrooms is the taste of spring.

Morel Mushroom Hunting Tips For Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota-Getty Thinkstock

I've seen Morel Mushrooms sell anywhere from $20 a pound at a farmer's market to $100 a pound online. They are a delicacy and if you want them they only grow in the wild.

And finding Shrooms in the woods is not always easy. The right ones are delicious. The wrong ones can kill you.

Morel Mushroom Hunting Tips For Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota-Getty Thinkstock

Since I don't seem to possess much mushroom-hunting talent I have to depend on the generosity of others to get my mushroom fix.

If Mushroom hunting were a professional sport my Dad and Uncle Lowell would be in the Hall of Fame.

Morel Mushroom Hunting Tips For Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota-Getty Thinkstock

There are however some tips for hunting Morels that you may find useful:

Some say sandy soil is the best place to find Morels early in the season because it warms faster than dirt soil. It's also said the best time to find plentiful Morels is when the lilacs start to bloom and the Elm leaves are about the size of a dime.

Morel Mushroom Hunting Tips For Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota-Getty Thinkstock

When picking use a mesh bag. Don't use plastic bags they cause the mushrooms to sweat and a quicker deterioration. Plus it's thought that after picking mushrooms they will still release spores. So by using a mesh bag, you can help spread the mushroom seeds wherever you are hunting.

Morel Mushroom Hunting Tips For Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota-Getty Thinkstock

Watch out for 'False Morels'. To identify a true Morel Mushroom look for the wrinkly cap shape with a hollow inside. A true Morel is hollow from top to bottom. If it's not it could be of a poisonous variety. Better to ditch it than die.

False Morel Mushrooms-Getty Thinkstock

FYI-Best way to prepare Morels is to have my Mom cook them. So far I haven't had luck replicating her method.

I think the recipe involves cracker crumbs, flour, butter, happiness, and rainbows...

Morel Mushroom Hunting Tips For Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota-Getty Thinkstock

TRENDING FROM RESULTS-TOWNSQUARE MEDIA SIOUX FALLS

LOOK: 10 Reasons to Visit the South Dakota Badlands

Returning from a weekend trip to Rapid City, South Dakota for state basketball tournaments we decided to visit the Badlands National Park.

A quick turn-off I-90 will take you into some of the most awe-inspiring scenery.

It's also fun to note that several big-screen movies were filmed in the Badlands. Dances With Wolves, Starship Troopers, Armageddon, and most recently, Academy Award winner, Nomadland.

It's a spectacular park with tons to do. If you're setting out on a hike, bring lots of water and sign the hikers' logs at the trailheads. It could save your life. It's a tough place to survive.

Here are 10 facts about the Badlands:

Source: Morel Mushroom Hunting Tips For Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota

Filed Under: Ben Davis

Categories: Articles, News