What You Need to Know for Michigan’s Morel Hunting Season

Michigan's morel hunting season is quickly approaching, are you ready for it? Here's what you need to know before you embark on your fungi-related adventuring.

When is Morel Hunting Season in Michigan?

Morels are considered a delicacy, and they are sought after and priced as such. Amazon is selling a pound of dried morel mushrooms for $124.99. So, if you can get your hands on some morel mushrooms, you're in for quite the treat.

While May is considered 'morel month' in Michigan, these bad boys can be found as early as mid April and as late as mid June depending on the location. But no matter how you slice it, this is a thoroughly spring activity.

Where to Find Morels in Michigan

Finding morels can be a bit tricky at times, as people who do the hunting don't like to give away their good spots. However, there are some things to be on the lookout for that make a great environment for morels.

• look for areas that had fires that were 10 acres or larger, particularly in the last year
• look for forested areas with some cover, as morels won't grow in grass (but that doesn't mean you won't find them in some weird places, like landscaping wood mulch in a metropolitan area)
• dress properly, and don't forget those tall socks to help avoid ticks
• use a mesh so as to allow spores to spread from the mushrooms you pick, helping to maintain and/or increase the morel population

If you find some morels, or better yet, what you think are morels, don't forget to properly identify them before consuming them. There are poisonous mushrooms out there. One thing every true morel has in common; "their caps (heads, tops) are pitted with little hollows, as if holes had been punched partway through them."

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Good luck, and happy morel hunting!