Mushroom ID

[Smoky buck]

I am limited on mushroom knowledge and I am truly only comfortable on a few kinds. I have books but I am hesitant do to lack of experience

Could someone help ID these mushrooms?

I want to say they are an oyster mushroom but not sure. The were growing in an old aspen log

Switching to tap talk to post pic

[Smoky buck]

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[colvert]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

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Yes, oysters, just like these:

They grow on dead aspen trees either standing on on the ground.


Went looking for them today, but way too dry, absolutely nothing out there as expected, not even mosquitoes!

[Smoky buck]

Thanks

Not a real mushroom hunter but I spend lots of time outdoors and trying to improve my knowledge so I can at least be opportunistic when I come across them

[walking buffalo]

These Oysters grow on dead Aspen and Cottonwood that still has bark.

They can get buggy, and are real easy to clean.
The little black beetles will fall out with light tapping.
For maggots and for cooking,
Cut off the woody part of the stem, then pull from tip to stem into 1/4" strips.
If they have maggots, place the strips on a cookie sheet to dry a bit.
If you can, place them in the sun.
The worms will evacuate the shroom looking for a better home.
To preserve the shrooms, just let them dry thoroughly on the sheet.

[Smoky buck]

Well it’s good to see I was correct on oyster mushrooms and I can add them to my list of random things to keep an eye out for

[flyguyd]

Yes Oysters, yummy lunch right there

[TBark]

Yes, love checking the usual spots for these.
Most always on the same dead standing trees every June til early July, til they dry up or get buggy.

Hey Smoky, are these pics from this year? It’s a bit early.

TBark

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by TBark

Yes, love checking the usual spots for these.
Most always on the same dead standing trees every June til early July, til they dry up or get buggy.

Hey Smoky, are these pics from this year? It’s a bit early.

TBark

Posted the pic within 2hrs of picking them

[crazy_davey]

Let us know what you think of them after trying. Always see them just never bothered trying, don’t know much about mushrooms but would like to learn more and try a few.

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by crazy_davey

Let us know what you think of them after trying. Always see them just never bothered trying, don’t know much about mushrooms but would like to learn more and try a few.

I was going to cook some with dinner tonight. They seem like a firm mushroom and small good

Like I posted my knowledge is pretty limited too. My wife got interested because years ago we had a customer that traveled around picking mushrooms. Between some books the customer recommended and information they gave us we learned a enough to be able to pick/eat a few different kinds of wild mushrooms

When it comes to actually going out and finding them I am clueless. But I stumble on some edible mushrooms fishing/scouting/hunting every year now

[Smoky buck]

Pan fried oyster mushrooms and onions served on top of of rare whitetail steak is pretty tasty

[crazy_davey]

Nice, sounds tasty!

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by crazy_davey

Let us know what you think of them after trying. Always see them just never bothered trying, don’t know much about mushrooms but would like to learn more and try a few.

If you like mushrooms at all you will like these.
Not slimy at all. Mild flavor. Firm, even slightly chewy.
As with all mushrooms, always cook them.
Fresh Oysters have a bit of an anise (licorice) aroma.
Dried Oysters will give a bit of a nutty flavor.

Oysters are easy to identify, easy to find, hard to misidentify once you know, wide ranging and plentiful when it rains.
Go to any mature aspen forest now through mid July and look for dead trees with bark.
Then look for the shrooms. Up the tree and on the ground. They are obvious once you start looking. Bring a little rope with your knife, then pick a good stick to make an extended cutting pole for those perfect groups 10' high.

Finding them now is early from the norm, but not so unusual that a tax should be applied.
Typically they grow in a week or two, peaking in mid June to July depending on location. Many don't realize it but the SW foothills typically are a bit behind the rest of the province regarding plant growth in the spring.

Oysters are an easy shroom to pick and dry or freeze enough to last through the year.