[Old Elm]

Hello all. My first signs of the spring season are here in the form of the Great Horned Owls nesting up in one of my big O'le oak trees. This is a great time to be out scouting for new spots as well!

 

[shroomtrooper]

Hello Old Elm, I have been scouting. Have you noticed you can find some old carcasses of Hen of woods around oaks, I have seen 4 or so. They should come up again. I cant believe I have never found antlers, is this a good time to look? Good luck Elm.

 

[Old Elm]

Shroom trooper, with our light snow cover this year I'm not surprised you found the hens. We found a huge O'le topped off cotton wood the other day, that had oyster all the way up it. Definitly going to remember that tree!! This is a great time to find new clumps of dead elms too. Are you across the river in Minnesota?

 

[shroomtrooper]

Yes I am. I have been scouting everything close by, not much extensive woods in my area, just little patches, but each year I find a couple more and it adds up. Last year was the first time I expanded my mushroom foraging besides morels. Found Chickens, Hens, king bolete(1 only). Think I found Chanterelles, but still confused on false gills. Found Black Trumpets too late, moldy. Bunch of different Boletes. How long you been mushroom hunting?

 

[Old Elm]

I like lots of little patches best, then ya can do the " Hit & Runs" there is enough variety in our area that once the morels, ramp's & pheasant backs flush ya can stay in the woods til freeze up. My Grandma was way into foraging, and always dragged the whole herd of us out. She made it fun for us kids. Been a woodsy all my life. " I'd rather be lost in the woods, than found in a city."

 

[jdk32581]

Shroom trooper

I have found that chants have a very very distinct smell. It is like dried apricots. Once you learn that smell they become unmistakable.

 

[shroomtrooper]

jdk, I have heard that many times, and darn it, I didn't smell them. I cant believe I didn't. I will next time. I am also going to try to pull the gill out(or false gill). I really wanted to get some black trumpets but was a week late or so. I went out again and found a "hit and run" spot, sure enough old Hen of woods by oak. Was great getting out the last 3 days scouting. Good luck gentlemen. (and ladies)

 

[Old Elm]

My oldest brother dropped off a big bag of fresh Watercress yesterday,he picked while out trout fishing.Mighty fine! Now I'm anxious for some fresh ramps, gonna be a bit yet though.Feels good to be out watching the woods wake up to spring, lots & lots going on out there.

 

[Old Elm]

Night caps are blooming & we found a good batch of RAMPS on Monday that will be harvestable by the weekend. Won't be much longer now for morels..... Yeah!

 

[morel rat]

I'm thinking it's gonna be a couple more weeks b4 the Morels start poping..... around the first on May should be good weather permiting.<span style="color: blue"> </span>

 

[Old Elm]

Howdy Rat, get much rain up in Polk Last night? Glad ur still on this forum, I'm thinkin first wkend in May too.

 

[eksophia]

I work in Chisago County just across the river in MN and I measured 1/4 rain Sunday a.m. Probably got a little less at home (Polk County, WI).

 

[Old Elm]

Eksophia, thxz for the rain info, as far as lilacs go, as soon as I see a hint of blossoms its on for me. Also if Buckthornan saw a wren it's so close to happening. I think Buckthornman is a ways south of us. I haven't seen or heard any wrens yet myself, but I'm kinda deaf according to my kids. :wink:

 

[Old Elm]

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[Old Elm]

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[buckthornman]

Nope old elm. You just missed them they flew by in the blink of a eye. I'm north of all the cities. Couldn't, live there not for double my wages. Lilacs are swollen. Fairbault today. Wrenometer accurate?

 

[Old Elm]

Buckhornman, this moisture is just great &amp; the cool temps will help it soak in too. Glad ya saw my little brown feathered friends, we do now have lilac blooms pushing on through on the city lilacs, and the ramps are delicious right now, so that being said things are perfect for a flush real soon. We'll be heading down river this weekend.

 

[morel rat]

Hiya Old Elm, Nice to see you survived the winter..yeah we didnt get much rain up here in Siren, snowed the last couple days, but didnt amount to much. I also like this Forum, between this one and chris matherly's forum morelmushroomhunting.com I watch the progresion map he has at his site. also he has a new show again on Filthy Riches starts soon in a week or two. just fried up some dried Morels the other night man they was Good!!<span style="color: blue"> </span>

 

[Old Elm]

Morel Rat, always glad to see ya on this forum. We had a grand winter, although kinda odd not having any spring flooding. Did you sell your sprint car &amp; get grandma a Minnie van yet? I've been out and enjoying the spring a lot, we have a bumper crop of ticks going this year. We're gonna head down the river this weekend, prob swing down the Minnesota side &amp; come back up our side. Asked a sweet O'le farm gal for permission to cruise her land yesterday, she said yes as long as I take her along &amp; teach her. I told her ok as long as I can hide my car in the barn,don't figure she'll be able to keep up anyhow, gawd we could write a book about the crap we have to do to get the mighty morel! Keep us posted.

 

[Old Elm]

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