‘Fungi fever’ erupts as tasty morel mushrooms emerge from the ground

LINCOLN — Mushroom picking season has begun, with morels now emerging in eastern Nebraska’s river bottoms.

In a few weeks, they should be found in more hilly, woodland areas above rivers, according to Greg “Outdoor Guy” Wagner of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Wagner said it takes patience, a sharp eye and selection of the right spots to gather morel mushrooms, as well as permission if you’re hunting on private land.

“Walk slowly and scan the ground carefully. Where you find one, you should find more,” Wagner said.

He recommends hunting near dead and decaying trees, like cottonwoods. State parks, state recreation areas and wildlife management areas owned and controlled by Game and Parks are open for non-commercial mushroom hunting.

Wagner also recommends using insect repellent, carrying the picked mushrooms in a mesh back to keep them fresh and wearing brightly colored clothing so turkey hunters, if they are present, can see you.

Beware of “false morels,” he added, which are red, have a brain-like lobes and are solid on the inside. They should not be eaten.

For more information and recipes on morel mushrooms, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/morel/.