20 Nebraskaland • May 2020
IN THE FIELD
FROM A MUSHROOM EXPERT
By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley
Tersh Kepler of Omaha is Nebraska's morel mushroom
expert. Here are his thoughts on the 2020 season.
The 2019 flood is on every mushroom hunter's mind.
From Kepler's experience hunting after the previous flooding
event, he isn't worried about this one.
"The major flood we had in 2011 wiped out the spot I had
been going to for 50 years. It was like walking on the moon,"
Kepler said. "The year after was terrible for hunting, but two
years later, it was unbelievably strong. It was like nature
reset the land, and the morels came back in huge numbers.
I'm actually excited about that."
However, Kepler urges hunters to continue to avoid flooded
areas this year. The honeycomb-like texture of morels
can easily attract lingering contaminants and grit. Kepler
recommends starting at the river bottoms above the floodline
and working up to higher ground as the season progresses.
After a mild winter and favorable March, this year's season
could shift a few days earlier. Kepler predicts the season
could begin sooner than April 10 and last through the
third week of May. Start looking for morels when ground
temperatures reach 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit.
"If the dandelions are starting to pop in your yard, that
goes hand-in-hand with morels," he said.
Search near freshly dead trees that are still holding their
bark and maybe a little greenery at the top, especially around
cottonwood, elm, ash and apple. When you find morels near
a tree, walk out 20-30 feet from it and start working your
way back in.
"Take your time. Most people hunt too fast," Kepler said.
Use a mesh bag to carry gathered morels, which will allow
spores to disperse while you walk. To preserve his finds at
home, Kepler dehydrates halved morels at 135 degrees until
fully dried; do not wash mushrooms prior to dehydrating.
For gear, Kepler offers "everything but the mushrooms" on
his website morelmushroomsupply.com.
For real-time reports on where morels are popping state-
by-state, check morels.com and thegreatmorel.com/morel-
sightings.
PHOTO
BY
JENNY
NGUYEN-WHEATLEY
