Bring on the Morels:
Are you one of the many Missourians who love hunting morel mushrooms? If so, Spring in Missouri is an exciting time of year for you! I’ve already heard talk of some early sightings! According to soil temperature maps, the southern half of the state is holding temperatures favorable for Morel growth. So, what’s the catch? How can you gain an edge when it comes to finding these scrumptious treats? Well, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation, several factors can be helpful to keep in mind. These include watching slopes facing the south and west during cooler weather in the early season and transitioning to slopes facing the north and east as temperatures rise. Make sure to be extra watchful around dead trees and debris as well! Check out this page for a full list of ideas and tips.
If you’re anything like me, you may be a little cautious about identification. There are poisonous mushrooms here as well, so make sure you know how to properly identify the morels before ingesting them. Once you’ve had some success, here are some delicious recipes to try out thanks to Game and Fish Magazine. And hey, even if you don’t find the allusive morels, spring in Missouri is always a great time to get out and enjoy hiking the outdoors! Still need a place for your hunting? Hop on over to Missouri Land Company to check out current inventory…you just may find the perfect morel hunting ground!
Spring in Missouri Brings Turkey Season:
One of the things I love about Missouri is the ample hunting opportunities that exist almost year-round. This time of year definitely doesn’t disappoint with Spring Turkey season right around the corner! I’m gonna shoot you straight, I haven’t had much personal success in the turkey hunting department yet. Last year was my first time going, and the gobblers avoided me like the plague. Good thing I don’t easily give up! I’ll be back at it again this year. So, what are the game changers here? What’s it going to take for me to bag my first bird? I’d love for you to chime in with all your best pointers! In the meantime, I’ll continue studying tips and tricks from one of my favorites, Steve Rinella, and hope for the best. Maybe I’ll even be lucky enough to pick up some help from our very own Mike Stoner as well! In all reality, as much as I would love to be able to come back next month and tell you all about my first bird, I’m just as happy to have yet another excuse to spend some much needed time in the great outdoors during one of my favorite times of year…Spring in Missouri! Of course, if you drop your bird…whether it’s the first or the fiftieth…I want to hear all about it!
Personal Spring Favorites:
With this being my favorite time of year, I could talk, or write, your ear off about all the wonderful things to get out and do this spring. Rather than writing that book, we’ll sum it up here with a quick mention of some of my favorites. Then, it’s up to you to go out and check them out! For all my birdwatchers out there, you know we are all looking forward to our first hummingbird sighting of the year! They’ve made it to southern Missouri y’all. I can’t help but keep checking out my window on the regular hoping to catch this year’s first peek at these tiny but mighty beauties. It’s also time to start thinking all things plants! Have you started your seeds indoors yet? What’s going in your garden this year? I’m trying my hand at several different approaches, including my first hydroponic system as well as raised beds and some traditional gardening. I hope to grow a nice assortment of veggies, fruits, herbs, and flowers. And of course, no spring would be complete for me without mentioning how excited I am to get back in the saddle! There’s no better place to sit than on the back of my Mustang, Shiloh. I always love being able to feel a sense of renewed excitement in her as well when we can finally start exploring again without the cut of the bitter cold winter constantly biting at our skin. Whether I’ve hit on some of the things you are most excited about, or if your favorites are yet to be mentioned like the bees, the baby animals, or just the newness of the earth, there is literally something for everyone during Spring in Missouri!
