We found these monsters late in May which is comparatively late, I'm told, for this region. They were at the base of a dying oak, not elm.

I hadn’t done any foraging until this spring. It intrigued me but I had never considered the larger concept of foraging versus the sometimes ill-portrayed subcategory of mushroom hunting. This year I had the opportunity to tag along with an experienced Morel hunter here in West Central Wisconsin.

There are a couple of basic things I can relate about spring foraging around here. Two things dominate the forager’s spring harvest in the Midwest, morel mushrooms and ramps (also called ‘wild leeks’), the first of which is quite sought after and can fetch up to $35/lb. Ramps seem to be making their way deeper into the public consciousness lately. Maybe that’s just my perception, but I’d never heard of them and this spring it seemed like everyone was talking about them from WPR to the New York Times. Maybe that isn’t so disparate… In any case, I’d read that morel and ramp season tend to closely coincide so I figured I’d keep an eye out for both or either. Of note, trillium season around here also tends to coincide.

I found quite a few ramps and it seemed as though once you found them, usually in low-lying areas with rich damp soil, they abounded.  The morels on the other hand were more elusive. I was told to keep an eye out for dead Elm trees and a place to check but personally had an entirely fruitless virgin season.

Super-quick Morel Hunting Guide

• Learn exactly what you’re looking for – there are ‘false morels’ and misidentification of mushrooms can be dangerous, sometimes fatal. Morels are easy, though. The library is your friend.
• Find a place where you can legally forage. Public hunting grounds are an excellent choice, but be aware of local hunting seasons and regulations.
• The season starts in spring and moves North as the weather warms.  There are numerous factors but April-May is generally when you would look in the Midwest.
• There isn’t a tried and true indicator for where to find them. Some say to check the base of dead Elm trees, some say Oaks. Some people believe they grow where lightning has struck. There’s a weird divination/wild-card aspect to locating them. Just keep your eyes open an enjoy the time out of doors.
• Be respectful of private property and the ecosystem.