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Maryland Morels & Mushrooms Message Board
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Hi. I am looking for some folks to harvest Fiddle Head Ferns/Ramps for me this comming spring $$$. If interested email me for more info.
Is there anybody in Harford County that knows their mushrooms. Ever since my father-in-law (who knew all kinds of mushrooms) passed away I don’t trust my husband to identify any thing but hen of the woods and giant puffballs! I miss the variety we used to get in the fall, but I don’t want to take the chances he is willing to take.I would love to go out hunting with someone who really knows their stuff!
Hi. I am looking for help. I believe my dog has eaten some mushrooms and she is now in the pet ER and very sick. I have collected some of the mushrooms that I believe she ate and the vet has asked me to find a botantist or look into mushroom hunter websites to find some to identifty what type of mushroom we are dealing with. I can email pictures or even meet up with someone. I really need help and soon she is sick and could possibly get worse. I would really appreciate help from anyone. My email is dontforget_tobreathe@yahoo.com any help would be great thank you
-Britney
Sharon,
This is the time of year when a lot of shrooms pop up.
First things first: do any of them have “gills” on the under side of the cap or are the “sponge like” polyphores?
You won’t find any morels at this time of year, so don’t eat anything until you are certain what you have.
Can you post pictures?
I found what appear to be portobello-type and morel-type mushrooms but, as a novice forager am not about to eat them without checking with experts.
Is someone in the Bethesda, MD area willing to meet me and take a look at my finds?
Thank you.
Travis,
They don’t link to your email on this site (for some reason). I was planning on taking a hunt today on my property. I have access to plenty of private land to hunt on. I am just north of Urbana SE of Frederick between 70 and 270, depending on where you’re coming from. You can email me here is interested: http://is.gd/2HEBM
Hi guys!
I’m new to this whole thing and am interested in meeting up with some people sometime soon to go hunting! Don’t care what kind of mushrooms, just interested to try it out with someone who knows what they’re doing. Email me if anyone feels like going anytime soon. Thanks!
interested in meeting up with people who are willing to teach me a little. I know very little but have always always wanted to learn. I live in Baltimore City, but would be fine with going kind of far to learn how to start.
Hi,
I’m very interested in learning how to go mushroom picking. How do I start? Is there anyone there who can teach me? I have a guide book, but have been afraid to try to use it because I know so little. I live in Baltimore City, but would be willing to travel pretty far.
nibor2000@yahoo.com
To: Jim H -sorry for the delay I would like to hunt with you. email me a guytoneureka@aol.com. Thanks, Steve Guyton
I’m in Frederick (Ijamsville) and doing the same-chenterelle hunting. I’m finding a lot of oysters and Drydans saddle. Think I spotted some chanterelles at UMBI in Rockville 2 weeks ago. I prefer to hunt on my property and ajoining railroad property.
Let me know if you’re interested.
I am an avid morel hunter looking to expand to chanterelles. I live in washington county maryland. Is there a club close by or someone
I can learn about chantrelles.
I NEVER did get what you owed me Mike. Where the hell are they?? Below is what Mike wrote me but he never sent them, how nice.
No joke, that’s great. I owe you a pack of frozen morels. Send me an e-mail Patapsco Mike *** @ mail2fisherman.com (take out the spaces and the *** and I’ll get them to you).
Hi all, I’m interested in talking to some Montgomery County mushroom hunters for a story I’m writing for The Gazette (specifically the downcounty region — Bethesda/Potomac area). If you’re interested, please contact me at edonaghue@gazette.net.
Thanks!
Erin
Rudy,
It’s done until next year. time to move on to Oysters, chanterelles and other choice edibles although Fall is when things really pick up again.
Found some whites a week back nothing since. Anyone have any still poppin. I live behind Catocin and lookin in GRN RDG also…
Redbone - you got it right, Catoctin has some morels but is way overpicked.
anyone on here go to catoctin to pick?? i am relativley new to the area. was there on sun. found some. but it also seeems that everyone and there brother goes there to pick.
Doug,… I think the key is moisture..not so much the medium thier growing in..I feel during dry years you should concentrate more on the bottom areas near streams and springhe
eads and swales..during wet years further up the hillsides should be equally productive.It’s still a hit or miss proposition..Jamie
I’m in Bethesda and would LOVE to go mushroom hunting with someone. I have wanted to for years but don’t know anyone who does it. I’m hoping someone would like some company and show me the ropes early next week. Please respond to me at dave.cahn@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
What do you think of this theory on morel abundance?
For years I had poor luck, no doubt due to my being new to morel hunting, which required learning to see them when they were there, where to look, and when. The last two years have been better than ever even dreamed of. Part of this is due to learning and part to good luck. But, I think there is another aspect to this. By all accounts. last year was a very very good year for morels in Maryland, and this year is good, too. I recall that not last summer, but the summer before, we had severe drought. I observed alot of wilting trees in the rows at the edges of farm fields, my garden was parched, and the woods were no better. I expected that the drought stress if it didn’t outright kill the trees, severely weakened many and made them vulnerable to insects and other pests, causing much higher than usual mortality. What with dead roots being the growing medium for morels, it would make sense then that last year and this year have been good. Corroborating my observations is that my largest (as big as my hand) morels I have found under dead elms and in recent small clearcuts.
If this theory holds any water (bad pun), the wet spring of this year suggests a not so good for morels next spring, as long as we don’t have a severe summer drought.
Any thoughts?
found 80 little greys and 10 fresh blacks here in the mountins of western md still looks like good hunting here
Found a gallon of mostly large blacks, a few yellows and grays near Frederick. I also found many dried up and wilted that I left for seed. I wept many tears if I only had checked this spot a few days earlier. Just not enough time.
From the Frederick News-Post
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display.htm?storyID=89875
“Lt. Col. Chris Bushman, deputy superintendent of the Maryland Park Service said it is OK to collect mushrooms in state parks for personal consumption only — but when in doubt, ask. ‘There is a regulation that prevents a person from removing anything from a state park’ but it is waived for things like collecting mushrooms and berries for personal consumption. Collection of all mushrooms is limited to a half gallon per person per day at Catoctin Mountain Park.”
Tried shrooming Loch Raven today got soppin wet , had to pack it in.. found 1 and about a half dozen headless tubes..They may be about done or i’ll have to switch to the North slopes..I’m new to shrooming but one good tecnique i’ve been using is going late in the afternoon with sun at your back..when i spot one or two,i crouch down like i’m eyeing up a putt and look for the sunlight to reflect off the stems..if your in a patch,..they seem to be spaced about 5 to 10 feet apart.. i still got a lot to learn..but i’m having a ball. Woods is greening up big time
No joke, that’s great. I owe you a pack of frozen morels. Send me an e-mail Patapsco Mike *** @ mail2fisherman.com (take out the spaces and the *** and I’ll get them to you).
here is the response that I received from Maryland DNR
“Bill - The Maryland Park Service does allow mushroom hunting, berry picking, etc. as long as it is for personal consumption only.
Diane B. Feheley
Maryland Park Service “
found 110 on warrior mountin today black white and long stems
Farmer Jane, thank you. My email address is rwatson62@verizon.net, you can contact me there. Going to PA this weekend to Rock Run ATV park and will not be back home till late Sunday. Would like to next year if that is ok with you. Think the season may be over, do not know. I spoke with my aunt in IN and her and her sister, and son went to 4 different woods, hunted one hour in each and found 3 lbs. Seen using mesh will help spread the spores for next year, will find something of that nature so we can all have a good year. I just would like a small amount for me and my son. Again thanks Jane.
Season over, at least for me.
Easily found some half caps near Pittsburgh over the weekend.
The rain and clouds are making for quick disappearance of the morels. Had quit for the year after nice picks of half caps and blacks. Decided to make a last foray today in central Maryland before it rains again. Area was obviously picked over as evidenced by numerous tracks. Nonetheless, found a few grays,some small/medium yellows, and then a very nice surprise of a dozen or more very large yellows. The largest weighed in at 3 ounces.
Season over for me, but it was on par with last year’s best year ever.
Mike when I get an answer from DNR I will post it. If DNR can’t answer clearly then who can???
I just went to Catoctin fond about a quart of longnecks and some whites and black ones getting hard to find them now. Lots of hunters there.
Ray~
Thank you for the respect of nature. I do not know how to contact you or you, I without it being msde public. I used to live in Harford County and know it well, yes, the land is now gone, that is why we moved. Send contact info and we can talk. I might be cleaned out though as I had to chase hunters away more than fivetimes just this/last week. You can surely try though!
Bill W, thanks for the info. that is good to know…if you have an answer please let me know. Have hunted morels and my dad called them “tall stem ones” since I was old enough to walk. To bad most of the forest land is getting taken out around here in Harford County. Went back home last year and it’s starting to get bad there too. Most of the river bottoms are now in State control. Jane, I have drove past farms before and never went on their property, you never know who will come out with a shotgun. I believe you have a right to say who comes on your property. If you want a responsible person to ask you, just put a comment in here, I have total respect for someone’s land, that is theirs to control. Just tell me where to be and I would come and ask. Would love to have some morels this year, however with all this rain and being into May already do not know if they will still be coming up.
Bill- you do understand that State Parks and Federal Parks are different, right? Different rules and regulations apply to each, and one has nothing to do with the other. Just because it’s OK to pick mushrooms in some Federal Parks has no bearing on what you can or can’t do on State lands.
I’ll bet you a pack of frozen morels you won’t get a clear answer to your question…
My shotgun and I are great friends! It is sad one has to resort to
such tactics. I truly would not mind on a rotating basis others
coming and enjoying this land. As it was posted earlier, it is the
greed that spoils it for all. Nature is a commander of respect of balance, til
that is learned the farm is off limits.
That’s right Jane, no matter what your hunting. Just get your shotgun out and shoot it in the air and believe me no one will come back. We have ponds here and people just come in and fish without asking ,had to run several poeple out over the years. Whats wrong with these people?
I do know one thing, it is illegal to hunt on private property without permission.
Mike I am sure. It is not illegal to hunt mushrooms on State land in Maryland. the link I posted on here below reads:
“The rules for mushroom hunting on federal lands vary from park to park. Harvesters may take an unlimited number of morels, for personal use only, from Catoctin Mountain Park but only a half-gallon a day along the C&O Canal.”
I have also emailed DNR about this and await an answer.
Folks it is NOT illegal to hunt mushrooms in State Parks,period! As I said before if anyone can find this so called law that says it’s illegal then please post it. I’m tired of posts guessing and stating BS thats simply not true.
I have been told that this is not a clear cut case. There are specific prohibitions on removing things from Parks that don’t mention fungus, that is true. But laws and regulations often have general prohibitions too, and who knows what obscure law could be relevant. Do you need a scientific collection permit- it’s needed for a lot of other things one takes from State lands.
Just my personal opinions here, I am not sure.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2007/apr/19/20070419-103305-5448r/
Clearly this article states it’s not illegal to hunt mushrooms on State parks.I also looked up the Maryland DNR site and see NO laws against hunting Morels on State Ground 08.07.01.13.htm 08.07.01.13. 13 Plants, Rocks, Minerals, and Animals It is illegal to take rocks. I would say each park may have different regs. If anyone here can find any regulations stating thats it’s illegal to hunt Morels on Maryland State land please send the link cause I can’t find it.
It is not illegal, although there have been talks about restricting collections. See http://is.gd/wF2o This study found the reason for decline in morel populations was loss of habitat and not over-hunting. Although it doesn’t explicitly state it’s legal, it sure implies it is.
BTW, I found the two largest yellows of the season yesterday, but most of the ones I found were wilted (on my own property).
It is not illegal, although there have been talks about restricting collections. See http://is.gd/wF2o This study found the reason for decline in morel populations was loss of habitat and not over-hunting. Although it doesn’t explicitly state it’s legal, it sure implies it is.
Mike please show me in the Marylnd code or wherever that it states it’s illegal to pick mushrooms in State parks. I’m not taking any chance cause it’s not illegal to do so. if thats the case then 100’s of other people are breaking the law then.
Bill- I was once told to return a couple rocks I had collected from a State park by a natural resources police officer… It all depends on which officer you run into. Technically you can’t pick morels in State parks, but it’s true that sometimes officers look the other way. You are taking a chance.
Ray who says you can’t hunt in State parks?? I’ve been hunting at Catoctin for decades never had a problem there.Even talked to the park rangers with mushrooms in my bag ,they never said a word about it. Whoever is saying you can’t hunt on State parks is full of it.
Think I will head back to Indiana next year to hunt mushrooms. From what I see on this forum, there is no place to hunt them here in MD. Example…cannot pick mushrooms in State Parks, people getting angry over someone hunting on their farms, I can understand this, it’s their property. But hell back home we can pretty much hunt anywhere. People over here are to damn greedy. You walk in the woods back home and find other hunters and they want to show you what they have and where they found them. It’s no big secret. What a joke, miss the old times of being able just to go hunt the woods without all the bickering.
Went to Harpers Ferry on Saturday Found about half a bag of yellows. The season is pretty much over there ,so thick now in the woods. Will try catoctin next but the season will be ending fast. Nothing like last season which was the Best in quite some time.If anyone wants to get mushrooms they better get out this week, the season is just about over folks.
Went out around Harpers Ferry W Va on the Maryland side Saturday Morning. This was my last HooRaa. Only found a handful and they were falling apart. Went to another spot about 2 miles away and found 2 of the biggest white ones I ever seen in person. Bigger than my hand and about 4″ wide. The undergrowth is getting too deep to see to the soil so it looks like the season is about up for me! It was a pretty good 3 weeks for hunting and NO I did not trespass! Guess we will just have to wait for the spores to drop again next year and grow the most tasteful fungus you have ever eaten! This year is not as good as last but I don’t ever think we will have to worry about them never being around in the spring, unless the forests are destroyed! I have some Morel’s frozen so I will wait until winter to have those…ate my share this season anyway! Till next season…Happy Shrooming!
Found 10 morels today in St. Leonard, so excited.
And you’re damn right! They ARE MY mushrooms!
Just ask permission and the farmers will be glad to have you for a visit! We open our farms to schools, boy/girl scouts and the public on certain dates, by appointment. That is how we can mange our farms so that everyone can enjoy them. Do you open your home? Would you like it if I just snuck in and took what I wanted? The same principle falls here. Just be courteous and I hope all read this. Do not be afraid to knock on the door and ASK. We have a college nearby, many students of the environmental type come to my door for a variety of things and are welcomed. They ASK. That’s really all we want, respect us and our land and it will be reciprecated. Believe me, every farmer knows every inch of thier land and knows when someone is there orh as been. We have to keep trash, dumping (couches, refrig., garbage, etc.) off of our land because people think the trash fairies come and gather it at night. We have to protect or neighbors from seedly characters as many are elderly or alone (but we all have guns) and we watch out for each others children. Having strangers on the property sends up alarms for many reasons. I know I keep saying the same thing, but please, introduce yourselves and ASK. That way if something goes wrong, we know who was there. If not, you get turned in and we’ll find out who has been there.
Th epoint is, stay off of EVERYONE’S farm unless you have PERMISSION, or pay my taxes. Yesterday a greedy mushroom picker took three grocery bag fulls, but he offered me some. How sweet. Today, just took down another one, the authorities will be contacting him. It is NOT YOUR property. STAY OFF. Hopefully after several citations and money, greedy people will learn. I would also like to add, I do believe in the hobby, fun, butrition as well as it being a really good way to raise a child. ASK PERMISSION! NOt ONE picker has asked me for permission except for one TRUE person growing Purple Myrtle asked if he could harvest SOME. I said of course as he stated he would not clean me out. He sent me a check nearly a year later as a 5% of his profits from cultivating and selling. The money is not the important thing./ He DID the right thing and is welcomed back to my farm anytime. GROW MANNERS or GROW your own mushro9oms.
found 300 blacks and half frees in allegany county may 2 and about 200 blacks april 30
Farmer Jane - where exactly is your farm so everyone can avoid picking YOUR mushrooms
I tried posting this once and it did not work so I will try again. As a farmer, people trapsing all over my property hunting mushrooms has become a great disadvantage to the mushroom family as well as other natural plants. Ginseng is now endangered as well as the constant poaching of mushrooms from LAND OWNERS PROPERTY. It has gotten to a point where I have now had to enlist the help of law enforcement. I understand this to be a “hobby’ yet many lie and are selling them for a profit. How dare anyone think they can just walk onto any property and take what they want, espeically endangering the speices they seek? I find poachers to be very rude and NOT a lover of nature. I am sure, that if some were to at least ASK if they may continue thier hobby,a farmer would direct them to a place where they could gather enough mushrooms without wiping out the entire “crop”. For those making the money from these, BUY THEM FROM US TO PRESERVE THE AMERICAN FARM> You are thieves and farmers are tired of it. We ARE fighting back. Stay off of MY property!
Catoctin & South Mountain should begin fruiting again with all the rain. I found a few popping up the other evening and left them to grow.
Mushroom hunters using plastic bags… stay home. Use a mesh bag ( Med Tide Landry Bags work well) to spread the spores and help in crease the crop YoY….
Carroll county found 90 yellows today some fresh some almost done in by the recent rains
Picked a few hundred yellows and blacks and a handfull of half-frees in the last two weeks. I haven’t found a freshly popped morel in a week. The groudcover has grown an awful lot during that week, and I believe the central MD season has about drawn to a close for me. It was an OK year for me, with maybe 5 lbs total. I froze a lot of mushrooms and have about a pound in the fridge.
Looking forward to next year will start in a week.
2 of us found about a dozen this Saturday am in the Catoctin area. Took about an hour. Tomorrow should be better. They were small, light colored and fresh.
Morels are finally up in good numbers and sizes in the Baltimore area. Found a few hundred small ones last week, but now many others are over five inches tall. Just an FYI for any new hunters in MD as to where to hunt, Baltimore City Property and State Parks are ILLEGAL to pick mushrooms. If you do so (as many do), be discreet, and not mention it on a public forum where others may not be aware of the laws.
Found 44 today near Baltimore today in 1 1/2 hours. Mostly yellows 2-4″ but also some beautiful grays 6″. With the showers and humidity this weekend will be good.
anyone having any luck in the Thurmont-Emmitsburg area? Will be up there this weekend, with time to look…
I think I asked too soon. I found 17 today in many of the same spots I looked before. Very nice sizes. All of them were very fresh. Some looked like they had started to go down hill but perked back up after this recent rain. I think these cool & wet temps are going to do the trick. If anyone else is in the Southern MD area I wouldn’t lose hope, get back out there!
I Found 2 Gallons Today In Harpers Ferry WV.
Mostly Yellows and white ones. It’s going to be a short season this year.
I think the recent hot days have slowed the shrooms in southern md. Hopefully with the rain and a few cool evenings, we may still find some yellows in the next couple of days.
Bill T, I think maybe another 8-10 days in this area, but who knows? We might have to start heading North.
Charity, I once got lucky in Assateague, but it wasn’t fungus related
I’ve found a good bit from about mid-pril to just a few days ago. Maybe 2-3lbs this year. Only one a few days ago though, now I’m finding nothing. I’ve been checking around poplars mostly. I’m in Calvert County.
Do you guys think the season could be over due to the recent heat? We’re getting good rain now, would that bring up more?
I guess if need be I’ll go up to Western MD this weekend to look for more, conditions should be good there I’d think.
On other question. I heard that deer will eat morels. Is this true? Some of the poplars I’ve looked around have had deer trails, and I was thinking this may be the reason none are arouund.
Found about 25 today during lunch, Charles County, near General Smallwood Park. How long will the season last?
Found my first morel yesterday in St. Leonard, MD. I do believe it was a half free.
Has anyone ever had luck near Assateague? I’m going this weekend and the weather’s supposed to be much more conducive to morel hunting than shell fish hunting. Just wondering… Thanks!
Kevin,
Thanks very much! I found the few I did under poplars close to the river, so I will try to go up after this rain and see what happens.
Meredith
Have found about 30 over the last 3 days in Loch Raven, 2-6″ yellows. Most were starting to dry up today, hopefully rain tomorrow, Thurs & Fri keeps ‘em around…
Victor,
There are morels in Patapsco State Park as well as Leakin Park. I have found them in both. Just need to start looking
New teacher in Md and have some kids that want to learn how to mushroom hunt. School located near patapsco park at city line. I truly thank anyone for tips of where to hunt nearby to give these kids an experience of a lifetime!!!
Meredith - Go to the higher elevations now. They are just starting to come up in the poplar tree woods. If you notice the trees are just starting to bud in the higher elevations. The person from Thurmont just posted that they found some recently so that would be the place to go. Cunningham Falls State Park would be a good place! Good Luck
OK, I don’t expect much of a response, but maybe I’ll be surprised. Moved here from Michigan years ago, have never hunted in Maryland. Don’t even know where to “start”. Anyone willing to give advice on specific (within reason) locations? I live in the Catonsville area.
Found 15 half-frees upper Baltimore County in about 1.5 hours.
Found 3 in Greencastle area…. went great with eggs. Now have to go find more I guess.
I went out for the first time as a Marylander today without much hope given the heat. We found only two — yellows, I guess — in Washington County, but given the heat and that we just picked a random place to go, I counted myself lucky just to have a good spot to return to next time!
My question of more experienced locals is this: do all the different kinds come up at once, or are some later than others? If the current batch is desiccated by this heat, are we likely to get a second flush after the next stretch of cooler weather and rains? I hope so — this is rather addicting.
out today in thurmont found about 80 total, i believe they are just starting there, should be good all week
I live around Annapolis, is there any chance of me finding any mushrooms around the bay here?
Jamie,
You found them in Loch Raven? Thats great, I drove out to Western Maryland on Saturday from Aberdeen, and what an exhausting drive. Heat was bad too. Went to Dans Mountain and was very dissapointed, no may apples or nothing just rocks. I would like to find some place closer to Aberdeen. Just want a few I’m not looking for 100 mushrooms, a small mess would be fine.
Anything in upper Baltimore Co?
Found about about a quart so far all black ones. Went Yesterday only found 2 longnecks.Hunted in West Virginia near the river. Nothing like the great year last year. If it stays hot the season will be over fast.
Saturday was another good day…several hundred total among four of us, and weighing in at about 9 pounds total…about 90% blacks, 10% half-caps. Found 3 whites. The unseasonably warm weather pushed a few past peak condition as they were drying up. Central Maryland
3 of my friends went to one of my best spots in montgomery county and they came out with approx 100 25% grays the rest yellows within about 2 hrs. Overall the past 2 weeks have been fairly productive at 5 middle Montgomery county spots although not as numerous as last yr but still pretty good pickin.
Carroll county md found 40 today Black pecker heads and some nice fresh greys
My son and I found about 30 today and I found about 50 or so yesterday. Not real big ones most about two to three inches.
Yet another mushroom hunt … nothing. Today my wife and my sister-in-law and I hunted in three spots for two hours and never found a single mushroom.
Is this a bad year or what? I’m not seeing many postings about people finding them.
I found about 250 yesterday during a 4-hour forage nearabouts Largo, MD. I’ve never found so many before! I’ve got some drying in the oven, I’ve already eaten a few.
I have looked deeper in the woods behind my house several times this week and found none, but twice when I returned home in a spot I picked a few the first day I found more. Today I found 3, the biggest was over 4 inches and the others a bit smaller. I think they were there before but under the May apples and only visible today…yahoo! I now have enough to eat! Annapolis, MD
Jason & Brian,
They are there. Spotting them is the trick. I fond a few more yesterday, but list my cell phone in the process. Just means I’ll have to go back again today in the blazing heat.
I’ve been looking in Patapsco the last few days. I’ve come up with nothing. Found a few spots near my house with all the indicator species y’all have mentioned. Hilly, tulip populars, moss, fiddleheads, mayapple. Nothing. Are there different soils I should be concerned with? Our area is rather full of clay. Could Baltimore Co. be lagging behind other parts of the state?
My wife and I have hunted 5-6 times throughout Washington County and Shepherdstown and haven’t found a single mushroom. That bites.
Nate I don’t know about Charles County but I do know they grow in Montgomery County. Last year was my first year in this state and I found roughly 7 pounds.
I’ve been hunting shrooms almost all of my life. Mainly in Ohio where I grew up. I moved to Maryland about 2 years ago and have not been able to fund a single shroom. Has anyone found them in Charles county in southern Maryland? I’m going out to a farm this weekend to look and have my fingers crossed. Happy hunting all.
Found about 15 in the Potomac area yesterday afternoon. If I was a betting man I think this afternoon and Sat are going to be great, esp if it gets nice and hot today.
Evan, there is one simple test to see if you have a real morel or a false one. A true morel is absolutely hollow: just a shell when cut in half. False morels have cottony floss inside.
Went shrooming for the very first time..figured i’d have an advantage cause i hunt for deer antler sheds in Feb. and Mar… anyway checked out some shroom web sites to get some tips… which seemed to be tulip poplar forests and off i went…things did not go well for awhile didn’t know what to look for…i was up Loch Raven Area..Came up empty first 2 areas then…. presto ..the 3rd area i found one..which made me slow down and concentrate harder and…Bingo..I found 17 in an area about 75′ square…. If i told you exactly where i found them.. i’d have to kill ya…but any way it was exciting as hell..took em home flowered em up and sauted in butter… great… can’t wait to go out next week..The ones i found were brown.. 2 to 4 and a half inches tall….
evan…probably “pecker” morels…not as good as the blacks or greys but still a morel…but would need a pic to confirm…
went out tonight to my special spot and they were everywhere—literally—brought home about 4 lbs and probably left a couple of hundred in the woods to grow another day or so…this is gonna be a good weekend…expecting to find a couple of thousand before the end of April 2 weekend(judging by what I didn’t have time to pick!)…
Evan,
Those sound like half frees - a type of morel that are eatable but not as choice as others. More stem less meaty head. They usually come up before the others and signal the beginning of the season.
About posting pictures…Never tried it but did you try to like put it in photobucket and tried to paste the embeded code? That may work…not sure! Gotta run, good luck!
Still cannot figure out how to post pictures of the morels I found in MD on this site…help!! I can paste the flikr link in the text but u then have to click on the link but I would like to be able to post actual photos?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37709413@N02/3469538268/
hunted morels for years in michigan. found about 30 today in silver spring, MD. But theyre kinda weird lookin. stem doesnt meet the cap at the base of the cap, it goes half way up into the cap before it stops. don’t wanna throw them away but dont wanna poison myself either by eating false morels. anybody know if what i founds good to eat or not?
That’s funny! I watched one last year for 5 days just to see how much and how fast they grew. It gained about an inch a day…I kept it camouflaged all those days and went back to get it on the 6th day it was gone…someone else found it. Anyway, I pulled another 60 yesterday and did not go today. Gonna let em get bigger and probably go out Sunday. Just fried up a batch and shared them with the neighbors. They never had them before and couldn’t believe how good they tasted. Truely the “Meat of the Earth”. Good Luck everyone!
Found over 100 blacks this morning but to small to pick, out of 100 I kept several dozen worth picking in rock creek park, some dummy was there picking 1/2 inch babies instead of letting them grow…what an idiot he said they pop up over one night and never grow after the first night….what a bone head!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37709413@N02/3469538268/
Found over 100 blacks this morning but to small to pick, out of 100 I kept several dozen worth picking in rock creek park, some dummy was there picking 1/2 inch babies instead of letting them grow…what an idiot he said they pop up over one night and never grow after the first night….what a bone head!
Found over 100 blacks this morning but to small to pick, out of 100 I kept several dozen worth picking in rock creek park, some dummy was there picking 1/2 inch babies instead of letting them grow…what an idiot he said they pop up over one night and never grow after the first night….what a bone head!
I am looking for a good place to morel hunt in Annapolis or Anne Arundel County. Looked a few places last year, but didn’t find anything. Would love to scratch around this weekend 04.25.09
Check online for local state ground. You are allowed to hunt morels there but some are limited on how many you can pick. C&O Canal Towpath is a favorite around here but you are limited to a gallon, according to the last law I read. Personally I never had any luck along the Potomac River. I’m still sticking to looking under the Osage Orange trees. The friend I took yesterday to my “Secret Spot” never found that many in that short of time in their entire life and they are 73 years old. The Osage Orange trees are also know as Hedge Apple Trees for those who are curious! They look like a Locust tree but are orange in color and also have thorns and big green balls that looks like brains…LOL
I just moved to Elkton md (cecil county)How is the morelhunting in this area?
Went out yesterday near Cockeysville for about 2 hours. Found nothing, same as last week. Is anyone having any luck yet in Northern Baltimore County? Thanks. Ed.
I skipped out of work early and took a friend into the woods behind my house yesterday in Ijamsville. We hunted about 2 1/2 hrs in a drizzle and only found 2 large blacks that were dry & wilted. Then heard the roar of the approaching T-storms decided to head back. On the way back we stumbled into to a decent size patch of grays, pretty big ones. Collect 30 or so before lightning drove us in. I’ll be heading back to that patch for sure!
Went back out yesterday afternoon and took a friend with me to the same spot I was at the day before. Between the Two of us we found 90 in Two hours. Looks like they are up finally! Biggest one was about 5″ tall. Leaving the woods we got a thunderstorm so that should get them up even more. Doesn’t look like Catoctin Mountain is doing very well according to a friend who went there yesterday. Also I saw a bunch of hunters in an abandonded apple orchard yesterday. Might be a place to hit! Go get em hunters!
Going out this coming weekend. Ready for some Morels! Has anyone here found them near Harford County? You don’t have to tell me where, I’m just curious so I can find a place closer to Aberdeen. Three hours to Allegany and two hours to Fredrick, that is kind of a long drive. Was thinking about PA, may look at their state park list there and see if I can find a place not so far away. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Good hunting all!!
Went back to my spot this year around Hagerstown Md. and they just started coming up. I have an Osage Orange grove that they grow in. Found close to One Thousand between the three of us last year and ran into many hunters while hunting. I would imagine there were over five thousand pulled from that 20 acres of woods. Gotta Love it! Found my first 30 yesterday and weren’t any bigger than about 2″ tall. Black, Yellow, and Cappies. I’m sure there are more to come as long as the undergrowth doesn’t get too tall this week! Need a thunderstorm to wake them up!
Celia,
No permit required, but trespassing laws apply. You’ll want to find a heavily wooded area, best to be hilly/mountainous. Find areas with a lot of Tulip Poplar/Beech. Look for mossy ground, where fiddle head ferns & May apples are popping up. Not usually going to find them in grassy/sunny areas.
Unless you stumble upon a motherlode, them buggers can be hard to spot, but once you spot one, look for more.
Chris- yeah, you can find both black and yellow morels on the Eastern Shore of MD. I have. Find some poplars and start looking.
Want to go morel hunting - don’t know how. Can anyone help? Do I need a permit or anything?
GOOD LUCK EVERY ONE SEASON LOOK’S PROMISING
Went back today looked in same spot got soak and wet but found a gallon.blacks three white.SOLD to a bartender for $80.great day first time selling them.Keep a little for me too smiling.IT WAS HARD LETTING THEM GO BUT WORTH IT.
I’m new to morel hunting and would like to know if there is any chance I may find them on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? I’d love to go hunting for them, but it is hard for me to find time to drive to the western side of the bridge.
Awesome hunt this weekend in central maryland. We over 200 morels - mostly blacks but whites as well.
ME AND A BUDDY FOUND 1 GALLON TODAY IN FREDERICK BY PARK’N'RIDE I ALSO WILL UPLOAD PICS.
Nice day (April 19) in Frederick County Maryland. About 100 morels….whites, bells and blacks.
Maryland black morel
Tried again, two different places. No luck. Mushrooms hide from us.
Carroll county found 1 Black today . need some rain.
Found my first two blacks this morning in Ijamsville. They popped up overnight. I may be scouring the warmer South facing slopes today.
I have looked several times. Nothing yet. Trying again today.
April 19th- I found 8 1&1/2″ morels this morning behind my house in Annapolis, Maryland (same place last year). They are in the fridge waiting for more tomorrow.
Amy, Sent you an e-mail
went for about 2 hours a few miles out of clearspring… found two sizable blacks nothing more… a few warm nights and they will be poppin like crazy… im gettin so sick of the woods bein torn down by these loggin companies too.. they are cuttin down some really good shroomim spots in this area
MY FIRST TIME OUT FOR THE SEASON found about 25-30 caps took me 15 min too find em soaking in salt water now. HAGERSTOWN MD good luck all sunday looks like it will be a good day by the weather here.
Mark
I will gladly take you up on your offer. Thank you so so much. Just let me know whats good for you.
Ribeiroa@go.com
dr robot-I’ve heard that they grow at Rock state park. I’ve never hunted them there, though.
Amy… I live in Calvert County…I found some Morels on my property today but they are small… So there are morels in Southern Md….. I find most at the base of trees… Good luck
Hey….. I left a few small ones alone in hopes that they’ll grow a little more… Can anyone tell me how long to wait or should I snatch them now…..Thanks
Amy M. Would you like to get together and go shrooming. I will show you the ropes, if you’d like…..See ya
Hello, I am originally from IN and I love to hunt morels. I now live in Aberdeen and I need to know if there is anywhere I can go to find mushrooms, that is public land, do not want to get in trouble. Any assitance would be greatly appreciated, went to IN last year and found about 3lbs with my aunts.
I caught the fever last year! It was heart breaking because it was at the very end of the season. I wan only able to go once. I have gone this year but I’m having a lot of trouble finding mushrooms. I’m not quite sure what to look for. I think part of the problem might be that I was taken hunting in Northern MD and I live in Southern MD and that is were I have been looking. If there is any one that can help me out I would greatly appreciate it.
I’m new to morel hunting, but planning my first trek this weekend, perhaps around the loch raven reservoir. Any general hints? I know I’m looking for tulip poplar trees. Does the terrain need to be a certain way?
thanks in advance!
yeah allegheny co is where im at i am right near the pipe line that runs across green gidge rd. they will be up every where buy sunday i was out today and found 9 nice black ones but that wasin pa so we shall see . still if any wants to go ill be out on green rige all day sat and sun leaving fri to go to the cabin later and happy pickins
Jim, You are in a good area. I don’t know where your cabin is located but I do know they grow in that area. Rob
Jim,
Where is Green ridge Mountain? Allegheny County?
i have a cabin and 67 ac on greenridge mt never really hunted mushroooms up there is greenridge any good for them? i am right off greenridge rd if anyone wants to get togather this weekend to look ill be up there all weekendand it is going to be nice out any help would be reallly nice ty all and hope everyone find alot this weekend
I’m hoping to do a story on morels for The Frederick News-Post, where I am a feature writer. I need to talk to some folks in Frederick County about hunting morels — stories about the quest and morel-hunting adventures, tips on where you might find them (not your secret locations but what to look for), what makes them so special, how to prepare them. Contact me at sguynn@newspost.com or 240-215-8605. Thanks!
Does anybody know where I can find ramps east of Garrett Co? I agree with Chris, they really go great with morels (and just about everything else that calls for green onions, for that matter).
Jim H, since we hunt pretty close we should get together sometime. I’m not one of the types that horde all locations. But there are a few that are a family secret. Just shoot me an email if you want to go shroomin’
j.hart@myactv.net
Found a dozen Black Morels today (4/13) in the Bowie area. Unfortunately, they were about three or four days older than I would have liked. Nevertheless, they will yield quite a few tasty morsels. Next year I plan to start my “lookin” a week or so earlier.
Found First morel of the year one black morel. Western Md. Savage River. Have Pic didn’t pick this one forgot newspaper for date. I’m a hunter not a bulls_ _ ter. Be another good year hear.
Nothing in Ijamsville, either. Well, I did find a nice cluster of oysters and some small brown shrooms. They turned out to be deadly poisonous Deadly Garlerina. Either that or some kind of psilocybe. Not going to take a chance of mis-identification.
Out once again, this time on Catoctin Mtn. park. No luck as of yet. I’m with Big Head Gordie, waiting untill the poplars bud.
Went out 4/10/09 and only found 2 blacks on South Mt. The poplars on the mountian haven’t budded yet. Perhaps I’ll try agian on Wednesday.
Celia, they are also under white ash in MD.
Celia,
First you’ll need to find some preferably hilly/mountainous area to search. That’s the easy part.
In this region, I look for Tulip trees & Beech. Finding the morel is the real challenge. Plan on several 3-4 hour hunts over the next 3 weeks. You’ll generally find them on the ground, amongst the leaves
They are up in Montgomery County, Maryland! Here is photos that were found today!
I’d like to go morel hunting in MD for the first time. Does anyone have any hints on how to go about doing this?
Thanks,Celia
i believe we need a few warm days or nights yet. here in clear spring usually around the 20th depending is when i begin to look
Went out yesterday afternoon found a dozen small blacks, looks like maybe this weekend will be a nice trip!
Hey Gorilla Fringers (HA HA!). No need for the pillow case I’m already hot on your trail. Its only a matter of time before I spot your mint green Ford Pinto stationwagon parked along side that mountian road. Perhaps I’ll make my territory on your tires. Those blacks you find are only an appetizer compaired to the piles of meaty whites and greys I’ll have in a few weeks. You may need to keep the ole pillow case for yourself. You know there is an advantage to being one of Ole Barneys top guides.
As for my area of the mountian, its a little north of yours, I think they will be a pop pop popping in a few more days. I went out Friday and did’nt find any morels only a few yellow toadstools. I may try this afternoon.
Last year we found morels on April 20–my mom’s birthday. I, too, was wondering with the crazy warm weather we had over the weekend if they’d be up but now with a bit of a chill am thinking of waiting a week or so. Will probably look around anyway. I am in suburban MD between Columbia and DC…
I found 6 blask morels on Sunday the 5th while in Vienna VA. Two 2″ X 3″ and four small buttons. They were right at the edge of a path under a cluster of Tulip Poplars and a small Holly tree. I know this is a MD site but It was just across the river so…
After finding these I have the bug and am looking all over! In general do they grow in higher elevations? I live along Sligo Creek which has a ton of Poplars but most are down low, close to the creek.
what part of maryland? anywhere close to hagerstown
Greetings to all. Just got back from the mountain tops found almost a gal. Most findings were on southeast flats ,ridges.Not bad for a 4 hr walk could have been better,but i will take what i got. hopefully the cold spell wont last long .mountains are dry ,hopefully we grt some good showers next couples of days with some warm days to follow.HAY BIG HEAD GORDIE havent got your answer yet, i do got a pillow case that fit that head of yours.I wish all that will be going out these next few days good luck and be safe. got go pop pop pop pop later.
Hello fellow morel hunters. A friend and I went out on Sat. April 4th here in western Md and found 3 small morels 1″ or so. Just enough to get the bug. Despite the weather coming up I am going out Monday to my mother load spot. I am scared that the temperature getting below freezing on Monday night will ruin these small ones that are up. By the end of the week and next weekend things should be popping nicely. Good luck to you all and I hope we have another great season of morel hunting.
Alison, what city/region? Morels, I presume?
Found mushrooms in our new house patio — April 4, 2009. WOW!!!
Nothing today. Returned empty handed after a 2 hour hunt.
I live in Delaware. Does anyone have info about finding morels on the eastern shore?
Matt,
That’s opening a can of worms (or maybe worm infested ’shrooms). Ask 3 people and you’ll get at least 2 different answers. My personal preference is to look between the Tulip Poplar and Beech.
I also read Sycamore are hot spots, but all of them on my property are low, around the water and I have never found them there. Not yet, at least.
I’m a bit of novice in this area of the country when it comes to finding morels. I know every nook and cranny of my favorite spots back in the upper midwest (Where the mushroom season is centered on Memorial Day). However, the types of trees I find most of my morels around aren’t as common out here in the Mid-Atlantic. Any tips on what kinds of trees to look around for a new guy to the area?
Frederick, Went out today and found 1, about 1/2 tall and don,t ask how. I agree with everyone, looks like a week or so if the warm weather sticks around. It doesn’t look to good next week though. I guess they will get here when they do…one thing for sure they will be here sometime.
Nothing up here in Thurmont, YET!! I went out on 03/29/09 found great ground conditions but not enough ground growth. Also went out yesterday (04/03/09)for an hour or so, all over the mountains to normal spots with nothing yet. Will make one last short trip tomorrow in hopes todays warmer weather drew a couple of blck ones out. Suspect though that earliest will be mid week and only if it warms up. I hope so have 3 kids and a dog that are as anxious as I am for them.
Anyone finding mushrooms in maryland?
I was out today in Ijamsville and didn’t any morels. I did encounter a couple huge oyster patches, but should have looked for them last week!
I’ll be out again tomorrow, but agree that it may be a bit early. 3-5 days after the next dousing rain, I think.
I will be cultivating morels this year. Seeding the shaggy parasol and shiitake (bought these as plug spawn)I started in the fall.
Anyone who would like to help with ID, my contact info’s on the blog.
Greetings to all. A speical hi to OLD BARNEY and BIG HEAD GORDIE. It was a good day on the southeast flats ,better days are on the way. Me and one of my followers found little over a gal. this afternoon. It looks like gorilla fingers might have another phenomenal year again. I wish all good luck this weekend that goes and be safe. GORILLA FINGERS will keep in touch with all. P.S. big head gordie if u would like to follow me one day i got a extra pillow case for u to wear to and from my hot spots ok, rule # 1 all followers wear pillow cases to and from hot spots. GOTTA GO POP POP POP POP LATER.
Well went out in western washington county today. The old spot looks like it’s too early. If we get some warm weather tomorrow, Sunday maybe a chance. I’m still thinking it’s another 2-4 weeks away for the gray and whites.
Today is the the day! However with the impending weather Im going out tommorow. Going to find some blackies on those south facing mountian slopes.
Gorilla Fingers I hope you have better luck finding shrooms this year, especially after your recent attempts at scareing trout.
Went out today in centeral MD and still a little early…looking like a couple more weeks.
cookshroom- I leave the 5th. Can you buy then in mid June?
If so where- Thanks. I have a friend here in WA State and we can’t find them here. I wanted to get some for her birthday.
I know this is a morel site. However, does anyone know of any oyster or chantrel hunting sites?
We want to go on a hunt for morel ’shrooms’!! We love to eat and create wonderful dishes with ’shrooms. We live in Southern Md around Solomons Island!! Dorothy’s sister Penny who live is Missouri, goes on an annual week-long hunt and has a blast!!! We are novists and love the outdoors!!
Bill & Dorothy
western MD in allegeny/garrett counties are the best places to find Morels in MD. but dont show up thinking you’re gonna find ‘em, cuz they are personally protected like territorial pissings. We also have an abundance of ginsing root, and Ramps, which are quite like a cross between onions and garlic that add a wonderful flavor to Morels.
Gerri,
You can buy morels in Annapolis, but not until the middle of April. Sorry, the only fresh morels around Annapolis on 1 April are new Morchella semilibera. If you’ll be there on the 15th, let me know.
Nick- morels are everywhere in MD, but you will find a lot more in slightly cooler and higher elevation areas north and far west of Baltimore than you will around the Patapsco. I suggest around Loch Raven Reservoir and north towards the Susquehanna River. It is true that you aren’t supposed to pick morels in State Parks, but many people do anyway.
Gerri- morels won’t be up for a while yet, you won’t find anything in two weeks.
Bob — Fort Meade, MD
March 15, 2009
Nick you might want to be careful mushroom hunting on state land. I talked to the people out at Patapsco Park last year and I was told that I could be subject to a fine for picking there.
Gerri — Anacortes, WA
March 14, 2009
I will be visiting the Annapolis area in 2 weeks. Is there anywhere to buy morels?
nick — ellicott city, md
March 14, 2009
Anyone found morels in Patapsco Park before? I know no one gives away their secret spots, but I’m new—from the Pac NW—and looking for good spots in the area to take my little daughter morel hunting.