Morel Mushroom Hunting Club

Newsletter November 2007

"Ohio Hen Of The Woods Foray"

By: Chris Matherly

     2007 has turned out to be one of the worst mushroom hunting years for many across the Midwest and the South. It also holds true in Ohio. I have had many reports that people had not found any, or very few Hens this year in their normal spots. Our foray included hunting in areas that last year 92 total Hens were found! Well, we weren't even close to 92, but we did find some, and a few nice fresh ones, and enough for everyone to take some home! So I guess you can say it was a great success! This foray, we were lucky enough to coax Mycologist David Fischer in joining us. He came down by bus from NY, and was a big blessing to our group, as we all gained a lot of knowledge from him.

Chris Left, David Right

     We found over 15 edible species, including hericium, mica caps, oysters, shaggy manes, lepiota naucina, puffballs, grifola frondosa, pluteus cervinus, honeys, and even an aborted entoloma!

Nice Shaggy

     David Fischer gave a very impressive mushroom presentation at OSU Saturday Eve that was also opened to the public. This topped of the first day...

Attendees  included some of the nicest folks that I have ever had come to one of my forays.

     It couldn't have been a prettier day on Sunday for our big feast! We hunted in the morning (after a light frost and fog) and then the sun came out, and turned it into a beauty of a Fall day. We had the perfect location for our cook out. Let it be known that when I found the park, I drove in, spotted the shelters, even with a fireplace, and grills, very nice. I had driven on a blacktop path to the shelter, not realizing that I was not supposed to be driving on this, but I was quickly warned by a ranger to move my vehicle! On the way out of the park, I spotted some huge oak trees that I thought may have Hens around them. I pulled off into the grass, got out, ran through blackberry briars and made it into the woods in seconds. I spotted a huge White Oak, and proceeded to investigate when out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed blue lights flashing. It took less than 2 minutes to get busted at this park, not allowed to park in the grass, not allowed to pick mushrooms. I came running out, the Ranger quickly asked (luckily this was a different ranger than before) "You looking for mushrooms"? I told him yes, he proceeded to tell me no what is in the park stays in the park, and that you weren't even allowed to wonder off of the trails. I wonder how he knew I was looking for mushrooms? I am sure it had nothing to do with my plates from Georgia saying "MORELS". I am regretting my hasty decision in custom plates, I can no longer give an excuse that I lost my dog in the woods....

     We had grilled steaks, cream of Morel soup, beer-battered shaggy manes, and best of all- fettuccini alfredo with Hen Of The Woods and grilled chicken. Comments were made "Forget the steaks, lets dump them..."

     Everyone had a great time, we met some new friends, and learned a lot. Wish I could do this every weekend!

Special thanks to David Fischer for taking the time out of his busy schedule to attend this foray. To Hugh Urban and Chris Ott for giving up their best Hens spots for our group, and all of their hospitality. And to Chris' new wife Jessica, for letting me destroy her kitchen, (the cream sauce boiled over- man I am sorry!).

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