If you like the idea of eating sustainably harvested, local food, and also love cooking, and maybe even hiking, then keep reading. This article is for you. I want to share some tips on mushroom hunting, specifically for morels, here in central Oregon. Mushroom hunting is a family friendly activity, and due to the variety of terrains that these mushrooms grow in, it is suitable for many different skill levels.
I have been mushroom hunting for the last 11 years; one thing I hear from people, often, when I tell them that I pick (and make delicious recipes out of!) wild mushrooms, is “aren’t you afraid that you’ll eat the wrong one, and die? My answer is no. There are several reasons for this. First, I never eat a mushroom that I haven’t positively identified. In addition to there being some great books out there on foraging, you can also join Facebook groups that specifically help with IDs. A wonderful book on mushroom hunting is All That the Rain Promises and More by David Arora. Finally, I, Sharon Trammell, do not take responsibility for any wild food that anyone chooses to eat. Do your research!
In Central Oregon, your first step is to locate a forest fire, preferably one that burned in the 2024 fire season. When you arrive at the burn, make sure to follow any posted signage relating to safety closures. Having arrived at a legal burn area, your next step is to start hiking! Surprise! No, not really, but be prepared to cover some ground. Start by locating areas of the forest that still have some tree cover. Morels like some moisture, and I haven’t often found them in areas with acres of direct sunlight. However, if you can’t find any shaded areas, you can start looking in holes. Areas where the ground has caved in, tree roots have burned out, or there are small clumps of plants like ferns, are prime habitat for these moisture-loving mushrooms!
Another tell-tale sign that you are in the right area, is when you find the little orange cup-fungus. These often co-habituate with morels. Once you have located some of these, get down on your hands and knees, and look sideways. Maybe, if you are looking for a truly grounding experience, lie down, place your face against the ground (see what I did there?) and get on the mushrooms’ level. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly spot mushrooms everywhere!
If you don’t find morels within the first 15 minutes of searching an area, I would advise getting back into your rig, and driving farther into the burn. Stop often and scout by walking into the area and looking from that extra-grounded perspective (the ground). Look at your map. Have a snack, or take a short nap (but not while you’re driving around!). Keep covering area. One other tip to keep in mind, is checking your elevation. Morels start to pop in early May, and they follow the snow level. In my experience, they tend to pop about two weeks after the snow melts from an area, which means that, by mid-June, they may be up in the 4000+ foot range.
If you are lucky enough to find some (and you likely will be!) the next step is harvesting them ethically. While many scientists have debated on whether to cut or pull fungi, in general, the fact remains: mushrooms are spread by their spores. The fruiting body is just an outward manifestation of that invisible spore that stays embedded in the ground in areas where they grow. So, more important than picking versus pulling the entire root, is transporting in a mesh bag that allows spores to fall all over the forest. Additionally, I recommend leaving a few for the other forest creatures who rely on these mushrooms for food.
Finally, the most important thing to remember when harvesting any kind of nature, is to be thankful. The universe truly does feel our energy, and when we practice gratitude for what we find in the forest, we are creating an environment of abundance. By thanking the universe after each mushroom we find, we are opening ourselves to receive more. I cannot stress enough the difference this makes. If you get anything out of this article, it is to take this mindset into life with you. It will truly change your life.
Next, I want to explain how to clean these mushrooms. Wild mushrooms often have little white worms, and sometimes other tiny critters make their homes in these mushrooms. As soon as you are ready to use them, place them in a bowl, sprinkle salt over the top, and run water to cover them. Now, let these soak for a couple of hours up to overnight. When ready to use, drain, and if you have an outdoor area you want to inoculate with mushroom spores, toss the water there. Cut the morels in half lengthwise, looking for any remaining critters. Cut into smaller bits and rinse again.
To cook, place in a cast iron skillet, on medium-low heat. Allow the mushrooms to heat up and then begin steaming. They will likely have a fair amount of moisture, especially after being soaked in salt water. Cook, stirring to prevent sticking, in the pan, until all moisture has evaporated, about 5 minutes. This is an important step, as raw morels can upset the stomach. Now, if you want to have them on a burger, to top a rice pilaf, or to add to an omelet, add some grass-fed butter or vegan butter, and cook until they begin to crisp. Serve as desired. For a more detailed recipe, visit my website at sharontrammell.com/blog where I plan to upload my recipe for cheese stuffed morels! Happy foraging (and happier eating!).
—Sharon is the author of the book “Becoming Strength, and I Swiped Left Again.” She is the 2024 Northwest Outdoor Writers Association excellence in craft first place winner in the fishing category. She is currently working on a project focused on foraged foods. To find out more, follow her on Instagram at @outdoorsymoomma and subscribe to her email list at sharontrammell.com.
This article appears in Source Weekly June 12, 2025.
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