How to Find Morels in Southeast Ohio

Don weather-appropriate clothing, as morels grow abundantly in wet spring weather, as the excess moisture helps the mushrooms emerge from the soil. Wear a rain coat or water-proof clothing, a hat and shoes appropriate for hiking. Layer your clothing to easily cool down if the weather abruptly turns sunny and hot, as spring weather has a tendency to do.

Bring along a mesh, reusable grocery bag or create your own breathable bag by reusing the red, nylon bags used for sacks of potatoes and onions. These bags allow the mushroom spores to disperse on the forest floor while you carry them. The bags also allow the mushrooms to breath, preventing them from getting soggy, which happens often with plastic grocery bags.

Walk off the beaten path and scan the forest floor for the spongy-headed morel mushroom. Examine the ground closely, morels may be barely peeking out from under falling longs, leaf piles and right along rocks and trees. You may even find morels growing in deer trails and right beside roadways.

Pick morels by pinching them off at the ground -- the stems are edible as well. Pinch off any dirt that comes up with the morel. Toss any mushrooms that look like morels but have solid stems, as those "fake morels" may be inedible.

Remember the locations you find mushrooms at each year. Check these locations in following years -- as morels often, but not always, reappear in these locations.