The first and most important item to take into the woods is a compass. If you disregard all the other items on this page that is up to you. If anything, please adhere to this number one item. I would like to stress the importance of a compass. Every year there are always reports in the news of mushroom hunters getting lost in the woods and separated from his/her group. Learn how to use a compass properly. When wondering around in the woods looking for shrooms it is so easy to loose track and bearing of the land. Think about it...You are out there looking at the ground and looking for the certain types of trees. Before you know it you have already walked close to a mile and everything looks the same and have no idea which way to walk to get back to your car. A compass will point your way back to the road. Just as long as you took a reading before you walked into the woods.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a very nice tool to take in the woods especially if you have to drive a couple miles back in the woods on a winding two-track. A compass may not get you back to your two-track since two-tracks usually twist and turn for miles throughout the woods. A GPS will navigate you exactly to where you parked your car. I would like to stress that a GPS does not take the place of a compass. Always take a compass along with your GPS. You never know when a GPS can fail. Sometimes they may have a hard time tracking satellites due to tree canopy or technical difficulties. Also if you carry a GPS always carry spare batteries along with it. A GPS is also good for marking those hot spots so you can always return to them the following year.

Mesh Bags are the ideal container for collecting morels. They allow the spores to fall out and spread around the woods as you walk thus increasing the possibilities of producing future morels. If anything else they will allow the air to circulate around them while you are in the woods. Plastic bags will build up heat and moisture that initiates the rotting process.

Walking sticks are a morel hunter's companion. They really come in handy for those long journeys in the woods. They help you keep your balance and assist you when walking up or down hills. They help to keep your balance when walking on uneven terrain, and while your walking across those stepping-stones to cross a river or creek. They are great for moving heavy leaf cover on the ground to expose those morels that are hiding underneath the foliage rather than having to bend over every time you walk up to that Ash or Elm tree.

A nice light pair of waterproof hiking boots is ideal footwear for morel mushroom hunting. Hiking boots that come over the ankle. It is good to have them over the ankle to provide ankle support and to assist in preventing you from twisting your ankle on uneven terrain. You want something light so you wont get as tired on those long hunts. Heavy boots will just weight you down and make your feet sweat. Look for something with good tread on the bottom, something that will keep you from slipping when walking on steep slopes but also providing comfort.

Two-way radios are excellent to have to stay in contact with your party. It is very easy to become split up and separated. They are also a good way to let your partner know that you just stumbled upon the mother-load and you need help picking without letting everyone in the whole woods know.

Carry with you plenty of water for those long journeys in the woods. You don't want to be in the middle of picking the mother-load a mile and a half into the woods and be dyeing of thirst. You don't want to become dehydrated. A 2-quart canteen with a strap so you can strap it around your shoulder will go a long way in the woods. Snacks are a must. I don't know about you but I build up an appetite in the woods and the last thing I want to do is leave the woods to stop at a Micky D's and leave the morels to be picked by other hunters. The only time I leave the woods is to hit another spot.

During the early morel season while the weather is still on the cool side you don't have to worry too much about insects, but as the season progresses into the month of May, the weather becomes warmer and the insects start to become a nucense. Mosqutitos can become a royal pain and there is always the fear of the West Nile Virus. Ticks are another insect you need to be concerned with as they cause lyme disease. Use a good insect repellent such as a Citronella or Eucalyptus. A good one I like is Deep Woods Off with deet. It is good to carry the can in a fanny pack or whatever you use to carry your equipment in. After a while the insect repellent will wear off or it may become washed away with sweat and you will need to apply more.