Springtime arrives with an explosion of outdoor opportunities - crappie fishing from the bank; white bass spawning runs in creeks; turkey hunting; and of course, wild morel mushroom hunting. In fact, if you've not yet experienced the seasonal but short-lived annual phenomena centered around hunting and feasting on the wild morel mushroom, well, it's high time you did! Here's a few steps to introduce you to a spring pastime you just might want to take up this year! But hurry, because now's the time!
1/5: Gone Huntin'
The first step toward a platter of morels is to go hunting for them. There's been plenty said on tactics and tricks. But in short, you find them in the woods across Oklahoma during the spring - particularly during late March and April. And of course, one thing all mushroom hunters will agree on is you can't find them if you don't go looking. Search in the woods, along field edges and under trees. You're trying to train your eyes to spot their unique shape. Some morels stick out like a sore thumb because of their bright golden color. On the other hand, you can walk right past others as they hide among brush, leaf litter or in tall grass. Go slow, make multiple passes over the same area, and don't hesitate to come back to an area a few days later if you come up empty handed the first time. Step 5 below provides an entire episode of Outdoor Oklahoma TV with tips and tricks for how to hunt and identify morels.
Note: While we constantly remind hunters and anglers of the extensive opportunities to access fish and wildlife on our state's Wildlife Management Areas, it should be noted here that it's generally illegal to remove any natural resources other than legally harvested fish and wildlife from Department-managed lands. That means when it comes to collecting the delicious delicacies known as morels, you're looking for lands on which you have permission to access and where morel harvest is allowed.
2/5: Wash & Prep
Once you have a handful of morels in your possession, it's time to prep for cooking. Slice them lengthwise and soak in a mild solution of salt, and water for about 10-20 minutes. Then set them out and pat them dry. If you've ever fried a mess of crappie, then you know exactly what comes next. Make an egg wash with milk and a couple eggs, and dredge your sliced morels. From there, toss them with a mixture of flour - seasoned to taste with salt and pepper - until they are well-coated. Nothing complicated here! You've got this!
3/5: Fry 'em Up!
Break out your favorite skillet. We like cast iron, but go with whatever you have at home! You're going to pan-fry, so add a shallow layer of your cooking oil of choice after your skillet warms up. Fry each side until golden brown, then remove to cool.
4/5: Tell Your Favorite Jokes and Stories Between Unforgettably Tasty Bites!
Serve 'em up with a side of ranch dressing, ketchup, or your other favorite sauce. Even better when served alongside fresh-caught fish or venison hamburgers!
5/5: Learn More!
Fried wild mushrooms are just the start. Morels make great ingredients on homemade pizza, omelettes, mushroom burgers, in sauces, and pretty much in any dish that calls for cooked mushrooms. Morels can even be dehydrated (they should be completely dry) and used later.
Like we mentioned, much has been said on how to find morels. Searching online and for social media groups can be a good way to gain more knowledge. Not all wild mushrooms are edible, so doing your own research is important. If we do say so ourselves, we think you'll learn a lot from one of our own past episodes of Outdoor Oklahoma TV. At least, with a title like "How to Hunt Morel Mushrooms," we sure hope so! Follow a true expert along on a morel hunting journey in which a number of tips, tricks and tactics are shared. If you missed that episode, you might just be missing mushrooms! Check it out above! For additional ideas, including a recipe for a real treat on how to combine wild mushrooms with other springtime bounty like wild turkey meat, skip to the 12:23 mark. To go straight there, just click here!
Morel hunting is an exciting way to enjoy the outdoors. But like other favorite outdoor pursuits, this pastime only comes around for a few weeks a year. Once you give it a try, you may find that hunting and feasting on fried morels with friends and family becomes your own annual outdoor tradition.
- Michael Bergin is a senior communication & education specialist for the Wildlife Department