Morel Mushrooms 2010

[happy honker]

April 30...just had a few wet days, now it's sunny (but not too warm).
Is it time to start looking for morels?
I'm east of Edmonton and hope to get out this weekend.
cheers.
HH

[FishBrain]

I think you may need a couple warm days. I head north to Smoky lake for maylong, and I can ussually find them then. Not sure exactly when they start coming up as I am new to picking myself, but I have found them every may long for the last few years
Last year being so dry did not yield very many but the ones that were there, were big.
I know this link is for the states but it gives you an idea of when they are being found. just add a week or so to the dates because we are north
http://thegreatmorel.com/2010.html

[walking buffalo]

May long weekend is usually the ealiest you would find them. But I think they will be out earlier this year, of course that depends on the weather.

Phenological connectors for golden morels are when Dandilions are in full bloom and Aspen, Cottonwood trees are leafing.

[howlin]

none down south so far,even in the open burn

[albertadeer]

I found quite a few up north already!!

[ROAD HAMMER]

wat does a morel mushroom look like ?

[TheClash]

hmm have never collected wild mushrooms, any recomendations for areas down here in the south/southwest of alberta?? lethbridge/magrath/waterton/pass area??


will have to pick up a book i guess. i could see how soe wild mushrooms sauteed with some butter, salt, pepper, garlic would go great with some grouse.....fresh ..out in the forest.....hmmm..i like the sounds of that

[bessiedog]

I've been out to my three haunts a few times now.

Nothing yet. Drumming grouse. Ticked up moose. Silly turkeys.

no morels yet. A bit or warm weather would really help. We do have the moisture!

bd

[Redfrog]

Never tried the morels, but have eaten the shaggy manes and puffballs. I have found some puffballs the size of a soccer ball in B.C. here they don't seem to be much bigger than a golf ball.

[fluxcore]

When I was growing up we collected chantrells and pine mushrooms in the fall for some extra cash (mushroom stations were set up to buy them) as far a morels I don't think I've ever seen one. Would I have any luck finding them around Red Deer? chantrells were awesome on steak, man I wish they grew around here.

[FishBrain]

Originally Posted by Redfrog

Never tried the morels, but have eaten the shaggy manes and puffballs. I have found some puffballs the size of a soccer ball in B.C. here they don't seem to be much bigger than a golf ball.

I will see if I can dig up my pictures from up at the farm last year, I found some HUGE puffballs. If not I will get some pics this year

[Redfrog]

Originally Posted by FishBrain

I will see if I can dig up my pictures from up at the farm last year, I found some HUGE puffballs. If not I will get some pics this year

You can just give me the location if that works easier

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by Redfrog

Never tried the morels, but have eaten the shaggy manes and puffballs. I have found some puffballs the size of a soccer ball in B.C. here they don't seem to be much bigger than a golf ball.

I used to see guys picking shaggy manes in K country. How do they taste?

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by Sundancefisher

I used to see guys picking shaggy manes in K country. How do they taste?

Really subtle flavour (not a lot) but good,Very delicate. I pick only the young ones, with no sign of pink or purple ink developing on the cap. They deteriorate really fast at this point, they actually self digest, the resulting black liquid was used as a writing ink in the past, the feather and bottle of mushroom ink.

Shaggy Manes hold a lot of water, when you sautee them there will be a large amount of juice.

Something interesting I have noticed, and friends who have shared the dinner agree;
Sautee shaggies in real butter, just a touch of salt. Serve them with med. rare to rare red meat, wild of course. When combined with some blood, the shaggies have a shrimp flavour!

[deanmc]

Originally Posted by Sundancefisher

I used to see guys picking shaggy manes in K country. How do they taste?

One thing to remember that not everyone realizes is that shaggy manes are poisonous to some people when consumed with any alcohol.

[molly09]

Would like to know if anyone is buying mushrooms, where, and how much?

[Beaver101]

Found 31 lbs this May long and another 3 lbs today. Largest morels I've ever seen or picked!!!

[bigbadbrown]

hey beaver what part of the province was this?

[Beaver101]

Redwater area

[FishBrain]

Holy crap Beaver101, those are awesome!!
I hope, I hope, just to get a couple more pounds this weekend.

IF you can find a resaurant that wants them you COULD get up to $100/lbs

[hunt_and_fish]

Wow those are some huge morels beaver. Very nicely done.

[walking buffalo]

Golden Morels are finally coming up around Calgary!

A little late than usual, but here they come. Picked a couple of pounds on Sunday and a couple more pounds tonight. My good spots haven't started yet, but with a couple of warmer days ahead, there should be some good shrooming this week.

There are at least four morels in the first pic, the harvest shot is about a 1/4 of the find so far, waiting for the sun to dry them out.

[deanmc]

Wow growing right beside a dandylion. Not at all were I have been looking. That may explain why I cant find any..........

[bigbadbrown]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

Golden Morels are finally coming up around Calgary!

A little late than usual, but here they come. Picked a couple of pounds on Sunday and a couple more pounds tonight. My good spots haven't started yet, but with a couple of warmer days ahead, there should be some good shrooming this week.

There are at least four morels in the first pic, the harvest shot is about a 1/4 of the find so far, waiting for the sun to dry them out.

Sweet thanks man! I have seen lots of mushrooms poping up around calgary.
I have been out the last week just waiting.
was this west of town?

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by bigbadbrown

Sweet thanks man! I have seen lots of mushrooms poping up around calgary.
I have been out the last week just waiting.
was this west of town?

These were picked about 5 miles east of the city. They are probably growing really well in the city as it is warmer in town.

Hint: go fishing by some mature cottonwood trees

Golden Morels grow symbiotically with Aspen and Poplar/Cottonwoods.

Remember the advice Beaver gave us.

[bbgirl70]

Hi there, I was just wondering where all the buyers are this season of morel mushroom picking? I have a couple of weeks off and would like to go pick mushrooms. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

[FishBrain]

Originally Posted by bbgirl70

Hi there, I was just wondering where all the buyers are this season of morel mushroom picking? I have a couple of weeks off and would like to go pick mushrooms. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

I think the morels are long done. If not I hope some one chimes in as I would get out again

[bbgirl70]

Originally Posted by FishBrain

I think the morels are long done. If not I hope some one chimes in as I would get out again

Okay, thanks. I was still hoping to get out there after last years fires, thats the only time Ive ever done it. Well hopefully someone out there can help out.

[deanmc]

I found 5 GIANT golden Morels about 6 weeks ago. Growing in a sandy bank in a friends yard. I had been looking everywere and had given up when someone mentioned the sponge plants growing in their yard.lol It was pretty funny after all the walking I had done to have some pop up 20 yards from their sidewalk.

[Shmag]

Well the red top mushrooms should be in full swing now, they are the next tasty treat