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The weather is dealing morel mushroom hunters fits, Nebraska Game and Parks’ Greg Wagner said this week. A morel mushroom hunter displays a few springtime morels he picked from Elkhorn River bottom woodlands near freshly dead cottonwood trees in rural Sarpy County. The ground is dry, and morel lovers need a few good soakers to improve conditions so the season doesn't end on a sour note.
A few downpours of a half-inch to an inch of rain would be ideal. "It's just a weird year," Wagner said. "We have rain in the forecast.
Let's see what happens." There have been reports of clumps of smaller morels being found, but no large ones and no big hauls among Game and Parks' staff. Daytime highs in the 70s and lows at night in the 50s would help turn things around along with rain.
Wagner's an avid hunter and has found a few clumps of smaller morels along the Platte River bottoms. His secret to success? People are also reading..
. He finds the morels along the eastern Nebraska river bottoms where there are dead and decaying cottonwood trees with the bark just peeling off and and where some rays of sunlight can get through the tree canopy to warm the ground. “Typically, I will pick a fair amount of morels around those trees with that scenario,” he said.
"That's a great morel tree." In a few weeks, morels will emerge in hilly wooded areas above rivers. Walk slowly and scan the ground carefully.
When you find one, he said, you're likely to find more. Wagner stressed that it’s important to get permission from the landowner to go onto private property, whether the land is posted or not. State parks, state recreation areas and wildlife management areas owned and controlled by Game and Parks are open to the public for noncommercial mushroom hunting.
Vehicle park permits are required on state parks and recreation areas. Open Fields and Waters program sites are not open to mushroom harvesting. It’s illegal to park at bridges along public roadways.
Those kayaking or air boating are reminded that river sandbars and woodlands are nearly all privately-owned and permission must be obtained to go on to those areas to look for morels. Wagner has the following tips for hunting morels: * Use insect repellent; * Carry a mesh bag to keep the morels fresh while picking; * Avoid contacting poison ivy or stinging nettles; * Do not disturb bird nests or animal dens; * Take along a pocketknife to cut morels or pinch them with your fingers; * The morel mushroom gathering period happens amid Nebraska’s spring wild turkey hunting seasons, so wear blaze orange clothing and steer clear of hunters and their blinds; * Watch out for false morels; you don’t want to eat them. False morels are red, have a brain-like lobe and are solid on the inside; * Pack out your trash and recyclables.
When finished picking, Wagner likes to cut the morels in half lengthwise and wash them thoroughly in cold water with a kitchen spray nozzle. Then a quick salt-water soak may be in order if the morels are dry. He prefers to sauté them in a skillet with butter and a little garlic.
You can find more recipes at visit OutdoorNebraska.gov . Search “Morel hunting.
” He just needs more rain the next few weeks to get a chance to enjoy the tasty treats. "The clock is ticking," he said. "That forest floor, it is dry.
" Download the new Journal Star News Mobile App Top Journal Star photos for April 2025 (From left) Eleanor Isaacson, Aspen Isaacson, Levi Isaacson and Norah Isaacson empty their plastic easter eggs of candy on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Woods Park in Lincoln. An opponent of LB89, also known as the Stand With Women Act, holds a LGBTQ+ pride flag up to a window as Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln prints something off during a floor debate at the Capitol on Tuesday.
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Lincoln Northeast's Lazerek Houston poses for a photo during the 2025 Super State photoshoot at the Lincoln Journal Star on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Lincoln. Omaha Skutt's Molly Ladwig poses for a photo during the 2025 Super State photoshoot at the Lincoln Journal Star on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Lincoln. Nebraska head coach Rhonda Revelle (from left) embraces player Natalia Hill at the top of the 6th inning next to Jordyn Bahl during the Creighton game on Wednesday at Bowlin Stadium.
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