Iowa's Morel Hunt is On!
Morel mania has definitely taken hold again this spring as the cult of fungi seeking hunters take to the woods in what has become a growing spring ritual across the country. Each year when winter releases it’s hold and we begin to get that first warming trend of sustained temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees, people across the state of Iowa head for their secret mushroom hunting grounds in search of one of natures tastiest natural growing morsels.
However, according to an article posted on the Iowa DNR website, this year’s crop is turning out to be more of a bust than previous year’s mushroom mega-crops. Heavy winter snowfall followed by excessive spring rains and lower temperatures are being blamed for this year’s sub par crops. While reports remain in the fair to good in the southern half of the state, the northern half may experience a lower than anticipated harvest with the season rapidly coming to an end.
But fear not friends, for if you hustle, call in sick to work or skip your child’s next athletic event, you may just still have time to collect enough shrooms for one last butter pan frying feast. But I wouldn’t wait any longer, because with the fast rising temperatures leading to increased growth of grass and underbrush, finding your succulent fungi bounty will become harder and harder with each passing day.
For those not willing to fight the briars, ticks and hours of scouring the Iowa countryside in search for the elusive morel, I’ve heard they can be found at many farmers type markets for a mere $ 30.00 per pound. For any true morel fanatic that seems like a small price to pay for a taste of a unique gift that springs from the ground right here “In Your Backyard Iowa”.
Rob Welch
Outdoors: TV host shares his morel-finding hints
By Juli Probasco-Sowers - Register Staff Writer - May 18, 2008
Des Moines Register
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