[newtimmy]

The season could well start this year in February for Alabama. It has started in February for at least the last 3 years running. Ground temps near Bham have a ways to go; 2,3,4 weeks or more depending on the weather. My hunting partner and I are watching our spot that is dozens of miles south of Auburn, Al. At this location the soil is warming and air temps are forecast to be averaging hi 64 and lo 47 for rest of January. If that verifies and it doesnt turn back real cold in February we may venture out around Feb 5th or Feb 10th. Definitely time to watch soil and weather forecasts from Augusta to Dallas and points south of that line

 

[newtimmy]

For the record my father and I have found morels in Alabama since 2009. We have picked morels in these counties: Barbour, Dallas, Shelby, Tallapoosa & Winston. I hope some Alabama hunters find this useful.

 

[newtimmy]

Heading out to give things a look in south Alabama tomm (2/11/21). Will be hunting pretty far south. Location is about 25 miles south of Montgomery.

 

[newtimmy]

Thoughts on Alabama timing. South Alabama should start last few days of Feb. or first few days of March. And by South Ala, i mean any hunting near the Selma/Montg./ Phenix City line and points south. Im guessing my metro Bham spots will start somewhere in March 8-14 range; of course weather dependent, and if we get another super chill week like this week is; that would cause more delays in morel commencement..

 

[chonas]

Warming rains projected this week in HSV. I'll go scout around next Wed probably.

 

[chonas]

8 inch soil temps 47 after those two 70F days, so looks like next Tues at the soonest.

 

[newtimmy]

Chonas, i tend to think first finds in South Alabama these last few days of February. My Bham spots start March 4-9 range and Huntsville start March 10-15. Hey it doesnt hurt to look early. My dad and i hunted at our s alabama spot Feb 11 & 19; and were going tomm/ friday (26th).. i just hope we have a fruitful season whenever it does start

 

[newtimmy]

Jk117, glad to see you are back on the site this year. I saw you on a “like” up above.

 

[chonas]

Checked on Sunday. Trilium and mayapples just coming up, saw my first 2 cherry trees in bloom.

4 inch soil temps for past 24h are:55-62.6
8 inch soil temps are: 55.4-57

Nighttime cooldowns next week make me think if fruiting has begun it will be stunted, if they haven't we'll have some in 2.5 weeks.

https://wx.aamu.edu/ is where I'm checking soil temps btw.

 

[newtimmy]

Chonas, thinking March 13-17 start sounds about right for Huntsville. I expect my Bham earliest spot to start any day now or wait til March 7,8 at the latest.. but i cant argue with these morels. Theyve surprised me starting early and surprised me starting late. My dad is checking Barbour cty tomm (2nd), and i will check bham spots Weds. (3rd). We are to the point we are checking everyday and at least every 2 days no matter what.

 

[chonas]

Oak-leaf hyrdrangea has been a pretty great indicator for me the past 3 years. Once it has 3 inch leaves it's time to start hunting. Right now mine is budding.

 

[newtimmy]

No finds on 3/2 or 3/3 in bham or barbour county. Hunting bham again 3/4 (thurs) and heading south to barbour county 3/5 (fri)..its everyday or at least 6 days a week... they are close and temp forecast to be normal to slighty warmer than normal... keep the 77 and 80 heat away. 65-72 for highs is just fine

 

[eidolon]

They were found in Stockbridge GA yesterday afternoon, 3/4/21. So check your latitudes. It appears to me to be on just about the same latitude as central Birmingham...This was the first find of the year on the East Coast that I have seen reported. The finder did not have a time-stamped receipt, but I am familiar with her, and she found a lot of them last year, so I am pretty sure she's for real. She had photos, said they were small, and she was waiting for the weekend to pick. They are kind of late this year and the weather over here is HOT in the afternoons. No rain predicted for the next 10 days...

 

[eidolon]

^ A guy on the Georgia forum here copied and pasted her post from facebook, if you want to see the pix.

 

[judymoon]

Anyone started looking yet? My first flush last year was on St Patty’s day in N Ala, snow this year could make for an awesome season!

 

[jk117]

hit my early spot today found three little ones.

 

[gutterman]

Those are some nice and fresh beauties! Great work jk117.

 

[AmateurShroomer]

Nice JK117! We’re you looking in central or northern Alabama? Also when you say early spot are there terrain features you think makes them come up sooner or does it just happen that a certain patch comes up before the others? Thanks!

 

[Bob Gosnell]

Nice JK117! We’re you looking in central or northern Alabama? Also when you say early spot are there terrain features you think makes them come up sooner or does it just happen that a certain patch comes up before the others? Thanks!

South facing hills produce 1st since the ground warms up faster that direction. At least in the northern states that is

 

[jk117]

Nice JK117! We’re you looking in central or northern Alabama? Also when you say early spot are there terrain features you think makes them come up sooner or does it just happen that a certain patch comes up before the others? Thanks!

It’s in Blount county. Warrior river.

Only reason I call it my early spot is it flushes usually a week before the spots I know of along the Cahaba river. It’s on the flat top of a slope that gets a lot of morning sun. It’s in a general east / south east facing side on the river.