It’s Morel Mushroom Hunting Season in Oklahoma!

It's Morel mushroom hunting season in Oklahoma! These tasty little treats are only found for a limited time throughout the spring. Early spring is the best time to hunt and find Morels in the Sooner State. For the next 4-6 weeks it's prime hunting season so get out there and start looking for Morels. Once the Red Buds start blooming, which they are, it's just about the right time to get off the pavement, and head into the woods.

A handful of Morel mushrooms ready to be cooked and enjoyed!

If you've never had one, you're missing out, they're the most delicious mushroom hands down! So what do they taste like? To me, they have a nutty, earthy flavor when lightly fried they take on a more meaty flavor when fully cooked. Some people eat them raw, but I prefer cooked or fried. One of the best ways to fry them is in bacon grease, it may sound weird but believe me, it takes the flavor to a whole new level and experience!

Sometimes you get lucky and find a big one, this one's a meal in itself!

Because they only grow for a limited time during the early spring months and once harvested they have to be eaten quickly, they're very expensive to purchase. Not only that Morels aren't farmed like other mushrooms. They have to be collected in the wild. I've seen them for $20.00 to $30.00 a pound and that's when you can find them. If you've never hunted for Morels mushrooms before hit play on the video below to learn more.

You can find Morels in the woods, typically they grow near creeks, areas of higher moisture, and in dead foliage. Look around the base of trees and if you see a dead or near dead tree make sure to look closely, morels love to grow near the bases of dead trees. You'll see them sprouting out or slightly covered by leaves and dirt so make sure you look closely and move vegetation around using a stick, small rake, or by hand.

The more the merrier! If you too have 'Morel madness' you know what I'm talking about.

If you've never hunted for Morels you'll want to be careful and make sure that what you're picking and eating are indeed Morels. There are some types of mushrooms that look like Morels but are poisonous and can be harmful if eaten, so do your research. It wouldn't hurt to go with someone who knows what they're doing and has knowledge of the various mushroom types the first few trips into the woods just to be safe.

Time to hit the woods and do a little Morel hunting while the hunting is good!

Starting now through May is prime Morel season in Oklahoma and you'll have the greatest chance of finding these incredible mushrooms. They grow best in 60-degree temperatures and when overnight temps don't drop below the 40s which is pretty much where we're at right now. So grab a basket or mesh bag, a walking stick, or rake and head out into the woods. We only have a few short weeks to hunt Morels in Oklahoma.