I first decide which way I want to go generally...whether along a deer path or toward a promising tree, for example. Once I've set my course, my attention is usually focused within a range of about six feet around me, with occasional glances to make sure I'm still heading the right direction. I often stop for several seconds and simply look around. Anyone watching me progress along a hill would probably think I'm drunk as a lord because I'm constantly staggering back and forth. I probably don't take more than five steps straight in any direction.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how often I have sat down on a stump or log for a drink, rest and smoke, only to look down and spot a mushroom at my feet.

Early in the season undergrowth isn't much of a problem but as the foliage gets taller I use my mushroom staff to move it aside. I also move bark around fallen trees but it's been my experience that if they're growing around a tree one or more of them will be visible without having to excavate.

We have one hard-and-fast rule in our group. The first person who finds a mushroom CAN NOT PICK IT until everyone else on the hunt has had an opportunity to "find" it for themselves. That's how we get our "mushroom eyes".

I also take my dog with me. She's a Standard Poodle and she has found mushrooms on her own. I just haven't been able to convince her to do it on demand. And yes, the de-burring process afterward is a nightmare.

Where I usually "hunt" I'm on the look out for dead elms so I look out and UP because they stick out in the green. I look especially for a dead elm that has some bark peeling. Then I use my stick (I usually find one when I get to the woods) and I push undergrowth aside and inspect around the tree. If I find one I really take some time to look very carefully around and out from(kind of following the root system) the tree. They are sometimes 10-15 feet away.

It appears it will be a bumper crop of ticks this year as well so some deet around the ankles and wrists will also be recommended. Boy they are small this time of year...had four on me from a quick walk along the deer trails yesterday. Gives me the hebee gebees all night, lol

I'm a tree hunter ! Find the tree, find the Morels !

Exactly how I am except I scan the ground as I walk from tree to tree.

I take all nessesities with me, then i stoop to the mushroms level when i spot one, i crawl on the groun, still carrying a stick, had a honey whole under hige piles of leaves, but i am cautious becouse lat year i ended up with a black locust thorn in the knee cap, hurt like heck, it happened as soon as i started to so i was bleeding with in the first 5 mins of the hunt lol, but.that didnt stop me, my husbands the look out because he is far sighted and he can spot the ones way far away. I am teaching him well! I just wished right now i was there with him instead of wisconsin, it been cold at night here by the dells so the season may have a little delay so i may not have luck this year. Just ease morels hold off a week its all i need! I will have 2 whole.days to hunt!

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Slow and steady wins the race...

I think that you will be back for prime time Julia. It is early yet.

Those long business trips leave a lot to be desired. I am glad that I am retired and no longer have to go on any of them.

Bob

usually im scanning out front of me, and will look down real quick every so often. I dont like looking down the whole time cause u dont know where your going and they usually grow where they grow for a reason so im definitely a tree to tree guy even though im a 2nd yr rookie... find the trees find the mushrooms. Im always prepared for anything out there... water, knife, fire(tool), snacks, some extra layer of clothing... deet around the ankles!!!! yuck @ tics. and I'm always prepared to pick some mushrooms!!!!! Good luck out there everyone! what a crazy season

I useually look at the lay of the land. I focus on hills and lower lands. once I find one I will not leave the area untill I am positive that I found all of them. I am patient.