Hunting for morel mushrooms in Iowa is expected to be more popular as the temperatures warm up this spring, but Washington County Conservation advises to ask permission before hunting on private property.

Executive Director Zach Rozmus says before you start hunting for the fungi, get the proper clearance in advance, “I encourage individuals that hunt on private ground to reach out to landowners every single year to confirm that they have permission year in and year out, because permission once does not mean permission for all eternity. And then on public ground, make sure you are aware of whatever county you’re in or state-owned property that they allow mushroom hunting because not all those properties do allow it.”

Rozmus adds fluctuating day and night time temperatures isn’t conducive to good morel development right now, but numbers will improve as warmer temperatures become more frequent. He says that will turn southeast Iowa into fertile ground for mushroom hunters. 

*Click here for more advice and tips on morel mushroom hunting