[Regionnaire]

Hey fellow shroomers. First post of the new year. I'm another NW Indiana hunter living in Porter County. Wild ramps are starting to pop, the shrooms are usually 2-3 weeks after. But we need warmer weather. I'll keep you updated.

Hey there, capn! Nice to see you back.

 

[Regionnaire]

Nice to get some details on the elusive black morel.
I have to admit, I am terrible at finding them.
So thanks for all the info.


I did know about the zone in Michigan being "more tropical" because of the lake:
It's known as the fruit belt because of all the cherries and blueberries
and peaches that can be grown there.


Imagine a 25-mile wide strip of land from the state line
all the way North to Traverse City.
That's the zone.


But I never thought to apply it to black morels! DUH!

Hey there, Nosky...good to see you

It goes even farther inland in NW Indiana because we get wind blowing directly off of the lake all winter. It takes longer for the ground to heat up because of it. That's why Lake, Porter, and La Porte counties can be so finicky.

Blacks are genetically identical to half-frees, greys, and yellows. They're black because they need to absorb more light to compensate for the colder ground.

I start to search for them when the ground temp is in the low 40's, and leaves are budding. With all others, I look for partial shade...early in the season, blacks tend to pop where there's more constant sunlight, and colder/darker pockets later. When I am searching for them, I start on the SE side of the forest working west, and hit most any sunny hill or open patch I can find. They are tough, but once you figure them out in a forest, you're golden for the entire season. If I find a patch, I tend to find more (peckers/greys/yellows) later to the north and west of where I found the blacks.

BTW, not sure why, but I have the best luck with black morels near Ash trees. Maybe they wake up faster than other species...I don't know

 

[Penelope]

I'm in NWI, Walkerton area. I've been lurking on this board for a long time but haven't bothered posting. I'd love to team up for a hunt. My personal hunting area was purchased and is now off limits, so I've been trying to scout out some new spots. I love finding them more than I actually like eating them, which in my mind makes for a great partnership! I'd also love to find other women for outdoor activities - I love foraging and identifying wildlife.

 

[noskydaddy]

Hey there, Nosky...good to see you

It goes even farther inland in NW Indiana because we get wind blowing directly off of the lake all winter. It takes longer for the ground to heat up because of it. That's why Lake, Porter, and La Porte counties can be so finicky.

Blacks are genetically identical to half-frees, greys, and yellows. They're black because they need to absorb more light to compensate for the colder ground.

I start to search for them when the ground temp is in the low 40's, and leaves are budding. With all others, I look for partial shade...early in the season, blacks tend to pop where there's more constant sunlight, and colder/darker pockets later. When I am searching for them, I start on the SE side of the forest working west, and hit most any sunny hill or open patch I can find. They are tough, but once you figure them out in a forest, you're golden for the entire season. If I find a patch, I tend to find more (peckers/greys/yellows) later to the north and west of where I found the blacks.

BTW, not sure why, but I have the best luck with black morels near Ash trees. Maybe they wake up faster than other species...I don't know

Hey @Regionnaire, good to see you too buddy. Thanks for even MORE detail. "Ground temp in low 40s to begin." That's good to know. Maybe I'm starting too late.

Like you, I do focus on where the ground gets more direct sunlight first.

I read a good article on vineyards and where they plant grapes because, they too, use the "TERRIOR" (the lay of the land as it pertains to soil and climate) to determine best results.

It's very interesting to see the world in that 3D TOPO map. Kinda of like studying those maps to locate fish in lakes. I can study those things all day! LOL

 

[Regionnaire]

Hey @Regionnaire, good to see you too buddy. Thanks for even MORE detail. "Ground temp in low 40s to begin." That's good to know. Maybe I'm starting too late.

Like you, I do focus on where the ground gets more direct sunlight first.

I read a good article on vineyards and where they plant grapes because, they too, use the "TERRIOR" (the lay of the land as it pertains to soil and climate) to determine best results.

It's very interesting to see the world in that 3D TOPO map. Kinda of like studying those maps to locate fish in lakes. I can study those things all day! LOL

The low 40s is a starting point for me this close to the lake. The farther inland you go, the warmer the ground. Wade was just mentioning in the other thread that he loves the ground temp @ 55-60. I start looking when it's in the 40s, and go out every day I can when it hits 50.

Just wanted to throw that out there. I'm so used to hunting near Lake Michigan that it might lead to some bias.

 

[Regionnaire]

I'm in NWI, Walkerton area. I've been lurking on this board for a long time but haven't bothered posting. I'd love to team up for a hunt. My personal hunting area was purchased and is now off limits, so I've been trying to scout out some new spots. I love finding them more than I actually like eating them, which in my mind makes for a great partnership! I'd also love to find other women for outdoor activities - I love foraging and identifying wildlife.

Welcome, Penelope! There are still some great forests to hunt in your area. I will help you out when the time arrives. If schedules line up, I have some new forests to scout not far from you, and a couple big forests I haven't been to in a while that could use the extra eyes. Last year, there were others from your area looking to meet, so maybe they'll pop their heads in at some point as well.

 

[r0ck3m333]

I've always found that the more people you take the more morels you will find.

 

[r0ck3m333]

Also you can carry more beer that way

 

[wade]

I've always found that the more people you take the more morels you will find.

Yes..I agree, I hunt mostly a 7,000 acre area..
It is to much for me to find them all but Together We can cover it Throughly.. and it's so Enjoyable to share my spots and Hunt together..
Still I do announce to others a Moral Reminder that "These are My Spots..Do Not Ever come back here without Me" Unless I'm dead.. then sure come hunt Enjoy and Remember Our Good times Together

 

[r0ck3m333]

I let my friends know if they go without my crew not only will I be able to tell, but they won't find shit without us lol😆

 

[wade]

Also you can carry more beer that way

That does sound good...Thanks For the Reminder..
Here are pictures of an Awesome old Pal about 4 yrs ago.. Hunting with me having a Beer, at "Ambush Pass" we where all Shocked when, without warning..6 months later a Brain tumor took him Quickly.. Luckily We had Many Good times Together Through the years Past

 

[r0ck3m333]

One of the best ways to mark a spot. Beer can in a tree. If you find an old beer can in a tree stop and look harder😄

 

[wade]

One of the best ways to mark a spot. Beer can in a tree. If you find an old beer can in a tree stop and look harder😄

Yep I figured that one out.. Funny kinda hate that .. but still have a look when

 

[Penelope]

Lol, snitches get stitches. Thanks for the warm welcome Regionnaire. I'm planning to really venture out to new areas this year, even if it's just to hike and scout. I would love to visit your area Wade. It looks so amazing in your photos. I'm from mid-Michigan originally and have found Northwest Indiana a bit desolate, despite the proximity of the lake. I love finding new quiet wooded spots around here that feel like home. I'm hoping to make a trip down this season for some hiking and maybe a little mushroom hunting if I can get the time off.

 

[Heaven Lentine]

The half-free morels are actually delicious by the way...

I agree! 😋

 

[Heaven Lentine]

What kind of trees do your black morels like @Heaven Lentine ?

I'm only bout a year late on this reply LOL
But I find blacks around such a wide variety of trees, man. The most notable areas that I repeatedly find blacks at, are in sunny spots on the outskirts of dense, very hilly woods (that are filled with at least 10 different kinds of trees). The hills cause the areas to be well drained, and the sun warms up that run off from those hills, creating pretty much prime condition for morels....
Now that I think about it, I do have a couple areas of nothing but Tulip Poplars, and those almost always have blacks.

 

[Heaven Lentine]

🍄 Happy 2023 Morel Season to all my shroomie pals out there! 🍄
Here in South Bend, IN, the season is creeping up on us and could easily be here after just a week of some nice 50° & sunny days. We've sure had a lot of precipitation, which definitely leaves me hopeful for an epic season this year.
(Don't let the picture fool ya, last week was t-shirt

weather, today snow, tomorrow who the hell knows 😂)

 

[celticcurl]

🍄 Happy 2023 Morel Season to all my shroomie pals out there! 🍄
Here in South Bend, IN, the season is creeping up on us and could easily be here after just a week of some nice 50° & sunny days. We've sure had a lot of precipitation, which definitely leaves me hopeful for an epic season this year.
(Don't let the picture fool ya, last week was t-shirt

weather, today snow, tomorrow who the hell knows 😂)

I'm in southern MI sitting here watching the snow fall. I'm about sick of it. Got about 4 inches today. We have accumulated a lot since that ice storm a few weeks back.

 

[Kokomorel]

I'm in southern MI sitting here watching the snow fall. I'm about sick of it. Got about 4 inches today. We have accumulated a lot since that ice storm a few weeks back.

Better get your gear ready for Indiana it won’t be long

 

[noskydaddy]

I'm only bout a year late on this reply LOL
But I find blacks around such a wide variety of trees, man. The most notable areas that I repeatedly find blacks at, are in sunny spots on the outskirts of dense, very hilly woods (that are filled with at least 10 different kinds of trees). The hills cause the areas to be well drained, and the sun warms up that run off from those hills, creating pretty much prime condition for morels....
Now that I think about it, I do have a couple areas of nothing but Tulip Poplars, and those almost always have blacks.

Thanks @Heaven Lentine BEtter late than never but it was ALMOST never! LMAO!!! Hope you have a great season. Be sure to post!