Backwoods Etiquette
for Morel Mushroomers - Top 10
10) Don’t
trespass
9) Don’t throw a
cigarette butt down and start a forest fire
8) Don’t be loud (no
radios, please!), unless you need to speak audibly to members of your group simply to let wildlife know your
presence (especially bears)
7) Don’t do your
business within 200 feet of a stream, river or lake
(dig a six-inch hole and bury everything if it’s Number 2)
6) Don’t
litter
5) Don’t destroy or
maim other plants
4) Don’t feed, touch
or harass wildlife (no matter how darn cute all those helpless newborns in the woods are at this time of
year!)
3) Don’t mark morel
motherload areas on public lands with “No Trespassing,” Private,” or “Keep Out” signs!
2) Don’t steal morels
from other morel hunters as you trick them to look the other way
And Number One on the Backwoods Etiquette
top ten list: Don’t ask a morel hunter to show you his or her “hot
spots!”
As Mike explains, “It is kind of like
someone asking you for your credit card number or access to your bank account.” Fred explains that asking someone the location of
their prime morel hunting grounds is downright sacreligious, and he’s not giving his up anytime
soon. “When I die I might tell someone my mushroom spots,” he
says.
Roon John advises, ““Do not ask roons for
the exact location of a morel find. However, it is entirely proper to attempt to read their
minds.”
Frank points out that failure to follow
the ten commandments of morel hunting could result in your being classified as an Azzholus Woodlandi, which
is a slang term for those who do not respect the woods or other hunters!
But Frank is a really nice guy, so he
posted a great morel hunting spot on his web site page http://www.michiganmorels.com/morels1.shtml. It’s in a state forest where you can pick a bushel in about three
hours. Wink wink, nudge nudge!
|