COMPLETE GUIDE TO MORELMUSHROOM HUNTING IN THE CADILLAC AREAMorels may be the best known wild mushrooms in the Midwest and are hunted by hundreds of thousands of people. They are delicious, easy to correctly identify and generally are safe to eat. The fruiting period of morel mushrooms is from late April until mid-June, however the best hunting is in May. A warm, moist spring is best for morels. Mushroom hunting can be safe and fun. However, you must be able to identify the mushrooms you collect as true morels. This brochure will not provide you with enough information to identify and collect wild mushrooms, only provide general guidelines. It is recommended that you pick with someone who is an experienced hunter and to use an illustrated mushroom guidebook.

MOREL MUSHROOM GUIDE

CADILLAC, MICHIGAN

H A P P Y H U N T I N G

G U I D E L I N E S F O R S A F E E AT I N GRemember, mushrooms from the wild can be dangerous if proper identi�cation isn’t made. Use caution when hunting mushrooms in the wild. Also follow these simple tips to ensure safety: ∙ Eat only cooked, fresh young mushrooms with no sign of damage. ∙ Try morels in small quantities to make sure you have no adverse reactions. Each person must try them for themselves, as even “safe” mushrooms may produce an allergic reaction to some people. Save a few fresh specimens for identi�cation in case some one should become ill. ∙ Do not drink alcohol when eating mushrooms. Alcohol may promote the entry of potential toxins into the body. ∙ If you become ill a�er consuming mushrooms, seek medical attention promptly. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination and hallucinations.

R E M E M B E RW H E N I N D O U B T, T H R O W I T O U T !

Use caution, and if at anytime you believe the texture, smell, or look of your mushroom does not appear correct,

discard right away.

Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau201 North Mitchell St., Suite #102Cadillac, MI 49601.(231) 775-0657 www.CadillacMichigan.comwww.ExploreCadillac.org

W H AT I S A M O R E L ?

T R U EM O R E L

Hollow Inside

Yellow/White Morel(Morchella esculenta)

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Black Morel(Morchella elata)

FA L S E M O R E L S

False Morel(Verpa bohemica)

Cottony Fibers/Chunky Insides indicate a falsemorel mushroom

Beefsteak(Gyromitra esculenta)

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A G O O D P L A C E T O S TA R T Y O U RH U N T I S AT T H E D R I P L I N E O F T R E E S

(1) Jason Hollinger and is published on Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Share Alike 3.0

Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau201 North Mitchell St., Suite #102

Cadillac, MI 49601.(231) 775-0657

www.CadillacMichigan.comwww.ExploreCadillac.org

H E L P F U L F I E L D G U I D E S(Guides available at local bookstores)

�e Audubon Society Field Guide toNorth American Mushrooms by Audubon Society and Gary H. Linco�

�e Mushroom Hunter’s Field Guideby Alexander H. Smith and Nancy Smith Weber

W H AT I S A M O R E L M U S H R O O M ?Below is a list of some di�erences between true and false morels. Look at the accompanying pictures to the right along with expanded descrip-tions included under “Identify a True/False Morel.”

�e two most important features to examine when trying to identify a morel mushroom are the cap shape and whether the interior is hollow.

True morels share these characteristics (SAFE): ∙ Hollow from bottom of stem to top of cap if cut lengthwise. ∙ Bottom of cap is attached to the stem. ∙ Cap is full of ridges and pits (prune like, only deeper pits). ∙ On most morels, the cap is longer than the stem. ∙ Stem has little bumps both inside and out. ∙ Stalk is usually a light color (sand, yellow or grayish).

False Morel Look-alike (DO NOT EAT): ∙ Commons Cap is more wavy and lobed. It appears to be bulging outwards. ∙ Cap o�en has an irregular shape and appears "squashed", almost as though it has been stepped on. ∙ Cap hangs freely o� the stem. If you slice it lengthwise you'll see the cap is attached to the very top of the stem. ∙ �e inside is not hollow. It will be �lled with some cottony �bers or chunks of tissue.

I D E N T I F Y A T R U E M O R E LMorchella elata – �is is commonly known as the “black” morel. �is color may vary from gray or grayish-tan when young, darkening to black or almost black when older. Black morels usually appear during the last two weeks of April. �e best black morel hunting usually falls within the �rst two weeks of May.

Morchella esculenta – �is is commonly known as the “white” or “yellow” morel. �e color may vary from creamy to yellow-tan. �e second and third weekend of May is usually a good weekend to �nd this morel.

I D E N T I F Y A FA L S E M O R E LVerpa bohemica – �e “false” morel may look similar, but does not have all of the characteristics of a true morel. �e most telling sign of a false morel is the way the cap is attached to the stalk. �e cap of a false morel is attached only at the tip of the stalk and hangs like a skirt around it. �e false morel is not recommended for consumption.

Gyromitra esculenta – �e “beefsteak” mushroom is irregularly lobed and wavy with a reddish brown cap and a light colored stem. As this mushroom matures, it will darken to nearly black. �e beefsteak morel is not recommended for consumption.

W H E R E T O H U N T ?

BRETHREN

HURON-MANISTEENATIONAL FOREST

WEXFORDCOUNTY

MANISTEECOUNTY

BENZIECOUNTY

LAKE COUNTY OSCEOLA COUNTY

MISSAUKEECOUNTY

GRAND TRAVERSECOUNTY

LAKEMITCHELL

LAKE CADILLAC

CLAM RIVER

PINE RIVER

TIPPY DAMPOND

BIG MANISTEE RIVER

HODENPYL DAMPOND

MANISTEERIVER TRAIL

NORTHCOUNTRY

TRAIL

NORTHCOUNTRY

TRAIL

NORTHCOUNTRY

TRAIL

FIFELAKELOOP

BIG MANISTEE RIVER

WHITEPINE

TRAIL

42

55

55

55

115

115

115

115

55

37

37

37

37633

137

CADILLAC

PP

P

P

P

P P

P

PP

P

113

113113

MANTON

FIFE LAKE

BUCKLEY

KINGSLEY

MESICK

MARILLA

WELLSTON

BOON

Caberfae Peaks

Ski & GolfResort

Boon Rd

Haring RdW 32 Rd

S 27 Rd

W 34 Rd

W 16 Rd

W 30 Rd

N. Coates HwyH

igh Bridge Rd

Dill

ings

Rd

N. C

oate

s H

wy

Mar

illa

Rd

Erw

in R

d

Rice Rd

9 Mile Rd

Springdale Rd

Lindy Rd

Wel

don

Rd

13 Mile Rd

16 Mile Rd

N. County Line RdN. County Line Rd

Nessen City

Rd

Karlin Rd

HOXEYVILLE

Coyote CrossingResort

W. 48 Rd

S. 13 Rd

S. 7 1/2 Rd

Hoxeyville Rd

Boss

chem

Rd

Hea

ly L

ake

Rd

Snyd

er R

d

Seaman Rd

12 Mile Rd

W 50 Rd

S. 7 Rd

War

�eld

W. 34 1/2 Rd

W. 38 Rd

Mac

kina

w T

rail

No 52 Rd

S. 4

1 Rd

S. 3

7 Rd

E 44 Rd

E 46 Rd

E 48 Rd

S 29

Rd

S 25 Rd

S 21 Rd

S 31

Rd

S 25

Rd

N. 2

9 Rd

N. 3

1 Rd

12 Rd

W. Arnold Rd

N. 3

5 Rd

N. 3

3 Rd

N. 3

7 Rd

No 6 Rd

N. 3

9 Rd

N. 4

1 Rd

E. 16 Rd

E. 20 Rd

E. 18 Rd

E. 14 Rd14 Rd14 Rd19 R

d 23 R

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Sum

mit

City

Rd

Del

l Rd

Schi

chie

l Rd

Gleaner Hall Rd

County Line Rd

Hammer Rd

Harrand Rd

N 1

1 Rd

N 7

Rd

W 4 Rd

Head Rd

Faylor Rd

Viaduct Rd

Simpson Rd

W 4 Rd

Miller Rd

Matchett Rd

Sparling Rd

Kingsley Rd

E Center Rd

E. 46 Rd

No

49 R

d

KARLIN

NESSEN CITY

COPEMISH

Dublin

HARRIETTA

KALEVA

HOBART

BENSON

BENSON

EvergreenResort

EldoradoGolf Course

Lakewoodon the GreenGolf Course

Antioch HillsGolf Course

Emerald ValeGolf Course

THOMPSONVILLE

MANISTEERIVERTRAIL

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

MACKENZIETRAILSYSTEM

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

NORTHCOUNTRYTRAIL(HIKE/BIKE SEGMENT)

TRAIL DIFFICULTY

CadillacCountry Club

P

N AT I O N A L F O R E S TAC C E S S M A P N

P

SEATON CREEK CAMPGROUND

44.358384-85.810460

RED BRIDGEACCESS

44.283753-85.861582

UPPER RIVERTRAILHEAD

44.289544-85.870770

MARILLATRAILHEAD

44.373692-85.840066

44.250194 -85.734044

RECOMMENDED TRAILS/AREAS

PUBLIC & PRIVATE LAND AREA - PLEASE RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY

GPS OF PARKING AREAS

SNOWMOBILEPARKINGAREAPlenty of parkingand a lot of nationalforest to explore

44.250194 -85.734044

G U I D E L I N E S F O R C O L L E C T I N GHere are some helpful tips when collecting. �ese are great for the �rst-time hunters along with a few items that even the seasoned pros may have not known.

∙ Know exactly what you are collecting. If you are a beginner, pick with someone who knows mushrooms very well. Use an illustrated mushroom guidebook. ∙ Use mesh bags*, paper bags or a woven basket for collecting. Do not use plastic bags as mushrooms will begin to spoil before you get them home. Breathable bags also allow spores to release during hunting which will aid in the repopulating of mushrooms in the area. ∙ Select only fresh, young mushrooms that are un- damaged. A�er a mushroom matures, it begins to deteriorate. One spoiling specimen can contaminate the entire batch. ∙ Pinch the mushroom or use a small knife to cut the mushrooms just above the ground. ∙ Keep mushrooms cool, shaded and well aired until you get them home.

W H E R E C A N M O R E L S B E F O U N D ?

�e Manistee National Forest and state land around Cadillac is a popular hunting ground; morels can be found throughout. �ere is no de�nite spot on where to �nd morels, however, here are some suggested conditions to look for that may yield the elusive morel:

∙ Black morels can usually be found growing around ash, fruit and aspen trees (also known as popple or poplar) and have also been found growing in lawns and �elds. ∙ Hunt for elm, fruit and maple trees when looking for the white/yellow morels. ∙ Some mushrooms grow on trees. Morels do not. You will always �nd them on the ground. �ey appear solitary, scattered, or in groups and clusters. �ey do not grow on wood.

Black Morels (�rst to typically appear):Black morels typically appear �rst, so we’ll start with them. �ey generally grow near ash, sycamore, aspen, and coniferous trees. Black morels can be found in burned areas as well, especially 1 to 2 years a�er the occurrence of a forest �re. Additionally, wetland areas can be conducive to black morel mushroom fruitings, especially in lowlands containing sycamore and cotton-wood trees.

Yellow/White Morels:Yellow/White Morels grow near a variety of hardwood trees, including tulip poplar, ash, and dead or dying elm trees. Older apple orchards are also good places to look.

Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau201 North Mitchell St., Suite #102

Cadillac, MI 49601.(231) 775-0657

www.CadillacMichigan.comwww.ExploreCadillac.org

P R E PA R AT I O NHere are some helpful hints for Morel preparation. ∙ Rinse mushrooms and slice lengthwise; clean out any dirt or insects. Discard any badly damaged specimens. Soak in salt water in refrigerator to remove additional dirt and insects. ∙ Morels should be cooked as soon as possible since they begin to deteriorate soon a�er picking. �ey can be cooked and frozen, canned or dried (sun dry, air dry, in oven or hang dry with needle and thread).

C O O K I N G T I P SHere are some helpful hints for Morel preparation. ∙ Sautéing is an easy and delicious way to prepare morels. Melt butter in a frying pan, add a single layer of morel halves and sauté for about �ve minutes each side. Watch that they do not stick! ∙ Morels can be used in any recipe calling for mushrooms but be aware that they have a delicate �avor that can be overwhelmed by strong seasonings.

Cut lengthwise, and clean out.

E N J O Y I N G Y O U R M O R E L H A R V E S T

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Cook right away for best results a�erpicking.

J O I N U S F O R O U R S P R I N G F E S T I VA L

Second Weekend of May since 1959 www.mesick-mushroomfest.org

Flea Market, Softball Tournament, Hobby/Craft Show, Parade, Mud Bogg, Midway, Mushrooms – Mesick Lion’s Club