How to Start Morel Mushroom Hunting in Southern Indiana

Learning how to start morel mushroom hunting in southern Indiana is as simple as taking a step into nature.

Finding mushrooms on the other hand, is a totally different story. I love to take the time to go out, hunt, and be one with nature! 

Where should I go when trying to start mushroom hunting?

You are going to need to go into the woods to mushroom hunt.  We are very blessed to have acreage where we can go and hunt/forage for mushrooms.  It is pretty awesome to just take off into our woods and look around.

We also lease property. Leasing property is where you rent property for a specific purpose. A signed contract and agreement are made as to what that purpose is and how much you will pay to rent that property.

Your local state park is another great location for hunting mushrooms. You will want to double check your state requirements, but mushroom hunting for individual use is usually permitted. 

You may have friends or family members that you could ask for permission to hunt for mushrooms on their property. Make sure to always ask permission first. 

Do your research and find out what public lands and state parks are in your area. 

What should I wear?

Listen…! You are going to want to wear pants for sure. I do wear leggings sometimes, but jeans are better, because the thorns won’t tear your jeans as easily as they can tear your thin leggings. 

Tall boots are also what I would consider essential. I like to wear tall socks with my boots, so that my socks don’t end up pulled down over my heels. It is pretty annoying when that happens and it also creates a blister on your heel. 

The top that you wear is up to you. Just remember that you will be walking through the woods and there are a lot of bugs and sticker bushes out there. 

I wore a t-shirt the last time and that worked out fine for me.

Should I bring a friend along when I go mushroom hunting? 

For sure!  I personally think that it is a good idea to bring someone with you.

For one, you can cover more area. Having someone with you will also help with safety. You can also keep each other company and you will find it is a great way to connect with others.

I was loving me some mother/son time on our most recent hunt. Also, when you find one mushroom, it is fun to call over those you are with so that they can see if they can find it too.

Not only is it a good way to train the eye, but there are usually a couple more in the area that everyone can help find. 

A lot of the great places are off the beaten path and it’s a good idea to have someone with you

How to Start Mushroom Hunting Safely

Whether you are on your own property or somewhere else, always let someone know your location. You can do this verbally or with your phone.

There are several ways to show your location using your phone.

Remember to wear appropriate clothing, pack water, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t get lost! Bring a friend with you, both for a good time and for safety.

Spray down your clothing with some sort of bug/tick spray. Check yourself for ticks periodically during the hunt.  I like to just do a quick look at my boots and pants and try to spot them before they make their way all around.

Make sure you check yourself thoroughly when you get home. Feel free to play the song, “ I like to check you for ticks”. Ha! 

What do I look for?

We hunt for morel mushrooms. These babies are hard to see.

They are usually brownish on top and blend in with all the brown dead leaves on the ground.

I have been told that they love growing around poplar trees. They also like oak and ash. I tend to look near dead and rotting trees.

I have had no consistency and am really just a hunter, not a finder, if you know what I mean. Basically, I hunt more than I find. 

How do I look for morel mushrooms?

Walk slowly and scan the ground. Look for downed and rotting trees and look around them.

You might need to squat down and really get a good look around. Stop every now and then and just scan the area.  No need to rush.  

What time of year is good for mushroom hunting? 

April showers bring morel flowers…or is it mushrooms! April is a great time to start finding morel mushrooms. They love the moist ground that comes from all of those April showers.

The soil temperatures start to warm up in late April.

This makes April and May the perfect months for mushroom hunting in Southern Indiana.

When is Morel Mushroom Season?

Morel season in Southern Indiana is really considered to be April and May. 

What part of the mushroom do I cut when harvesting them?

When you do find a morel mushroom, move away the leaves that are around it and cut it as close to the ground as possible. You want the stalk and the cap.

Put them in a mesh bag, and take them home to fry up. Do not eat them raw!! 

What do I do when I find one?

Celebrate! Woohoo! Harvest it by cutting it as close to the ground as possible.

Put it in a mesh bag or whatever bag you have with you.  Look around that exact area to see if you can find a few more. If you have a way to mark your location for future hunts, mark it.

Take it home, put it in a container with water, and put it in the refrigerator. It will last for about a week covered in water in the fridge.

Fry it up or saute it and have it with your dinner. Delicious! 

What mushrooms are safe?

I have only tried morels so I can not advise about any other types. Morels are safe and delicious when fried or sauted. We deep fry them and serve them as a side with fried fish. Do not eat them raw.

What mushrooms are unsafe?

I don’t know all the names and types. I research them when I find them.

When in doubt, throw it out! Well, in this case, don’t even pick it.

You will see tons of the mushrooms that are unsafe to eat. Also, if the morel has a funny smell, has dried out, or has become hard, we won’t eat them.

We like to play it very safe with mushrooms. Do your research before eating.

Morel Mushroom Hunting Tips 

A successful and avid mushroom hunter would tell you to train your eye to scan the forest floor by looking at pictures on line.

They would also tell that to look for tulip poplar trees, ash trees, elm trees, and exposed or downed tree roots. Learning to identify the different tree species would definitely be helpful. 

The first mushrooms start sprouting up when the spring rains begin and the soil starts maintaining a warmer temperature. They love growing in moist soil.

Look for forest areas that have fresh growth coming.

Facebook and other sites with more expired hunters will serve as a great resource to you when looking to find information. I am a beginner and am more about encouraging you to get out there and give it a try. 

How can I feel successful when I start mushroom hunting if I am not successful at finding any?

It is like fishing. Just enjoy the hunt itself.

Being outside in God’s creation is THE best gift. When you learn to slow down, put your phone away, stop and look and listen, and just be, you will find more fulfillment than you can ever imagine.

The snake wasn’t a great surprise, but I technically was in its home. You can find so many things in nature..rocks, snakes (yikes), streams, birds, flowers, etc.

The cows being entertained by us on the walk back was also enjoyable.

Time to be a Doer and Give Morel Mushroom Hunting in Southern Indiana a Try

Morel hunting in early spring is the best time to find wild mushrooms in southern Indiana. Don’t worry if you missed this season, they will be back next year. 

Most mushroom hunters have their secret spots and have found ways of marking them. These incredible edible mushrooms are like gold.

These gourmet mushrooms have a great earthy flavor and are delicious. I love hearing all the tips that hunters share and I hope you take time to follow that rabbit trail and learn more about finding morels. Good luck!