Foraging Indiana’s Mushrooms
By Coltin Gresser
I never really grew up around anyone who mushroom hunted. If there was any talk of mushrooms, the only one that was brought up was the most popular of all the wild mushrooms, the Morel. We would walk the woods during the spring not really knowing much about where Morels grow the best or what species are associated with them. We would find one or two occasionally but never had a day where we could fill a 5-gallon bucket.
As I have gotten older and gained more experience in the woods. I have noticed that there is a plethora of edible mushrooms that are in the temperate deciduous forest that I call home. Some of the classes I have taken at Ball State University have given me more perspective on mushrooms and their role in the ecosystem. There are many tricks and tips that can make you a better mushroom hunter.
Here are some that I have learned along the way whether it be from another source or me personally experiencing it in the field. Knowing the ecology of the area that you are planning on foraging can make a night and day difference with the number of mushrooms that you can find.
Where to Look
So, depending on the species of mushrooms can depend on what ecosystem you can find yourself in. The majority of mushrooms are going to love floodplains. These are areas where the name entails that flood during rainfall events. These can be wetlands, lowlands by lakes, or river floodplains as well. Mushrooms love emerging after a good rainfall. Mushrooms do not hold moisture too well and will start to dry out somewhat quickly. So usually after a rain: 1-3 days is the best time to go see what has emerged.
Identifying Where Mushrooms Are
Trees are a wonderful helper when you are out and about foraging. This is because certain species of mushrooms will grow on or near certain species of trees. For example, Ash trees and Sycamore trees are associated with Morels. Knowing your tree identification can help you decide whether to look in certain areas. Oaks and Maples are great trees for Pheasant Back, Oysters, Chicken of the Woods, and Hen of the Woods. For your upland forest ecosystem with Pines and Spruces, you can find Slippery Jacks and King Boletes. The reason for the mushrooms associating themselves with the tree is due to an underground network of mycelium. This is a connection of the roots of the trees and the “roots” of the mushrooms. They can send signals and nutrients between trees and mushrooms and assist with tree-to-tree communication as well. This network will span over the entire forest and even have a buffer zone outside of the forest zone as well.
Seasons and Land
Mushrooms follow the seasons. The most productive times of year for mushrooms are the spring and fall. However, they can be found in the summer and winter. Springtime is where you can find Morels, Slippery Jacks, and Boletes. Whereas in the fall, it is time for Chicken of the Woods, Hen of the Woods, and Oysters to begin emerging. Sometimes species of mushrooms can grow all year round and some will grow the majority in one season.
Just a reminder, if you can forage for mushrooms any time on private lands you have permission to be on. For public, state, and parklands there is usually an allotted time for mushroom hunters to be out in the woods. It is important to note that in any National Park there is absolutely no harvesting or collecting of anything. However, in a National Forest it is encouraged that you go out and hunt for mushrooms, look for sheds, or collect stones for your rock collection. Make sure you really investigate the areas you plan on foraging in, so you know the rules and laws and can avoid having to talk to a Conservation Officer.
The number one thing that I can promise you that will increase your haul of mushrooms is putting in the miles. It’s just like shed hunting, the more miles you walk, and hike will increase the chances you come across more mushrooms. The good rule of thumb is once you find one, be on the lookout because there is more around. It’s always hard to find the first one. Once you do, the game becomes easier and easier.
Good luck out there in the shroom woods and send us pictures of your shroom hauls. We would love to see the information we put out being applied and having success.
