Morels are for picking, not digging

Tracey · Apr 22, 2008, 6:49 pm

Since this is the beginning of the season and I have already seen this, I have to do this post.
I hunt public land. So it is inevitable that I will be hunting behind others.
Cups, cans and bottles are not for marking spots. If you do, know that you have just shown me your spot and I will be back there before you. I say this, so maybe you will think twice before leaving your trash.

When you find morels and dig away the leaf matter in a 3ft diameter, you are destroying their habitat. You are also covering up the morels that will be growing there in the next week or two. I know this, because I find the majority of my morels under the piles that you have created. I will never understand the purpose of digging away all the matter. If you lift the leaves where you find your morels and replace them, I will not find your spots and your future morels can grow without trying to struggle thru a pile of leaves.
I have never actually saw anyone digging these areas, but was told once by someone that this is what they do, because this is how they were taught. It just saddens me when I get into an area and see hundreds of 3ft bare spots and I see this in every place that I hunt.

Please leave the woods as you found them.
Thanks.

Tammy · Apr 22, 2008, 8:39 pm

I'll second all of that, Tracey. Thanks for posting this!

I always carry a trash bag into the woods with me to pick up what others leave behind. It never ceases to amaze me how much trash there is. (Or how many spots we've found this way!)

If you can carry a full beer or pop into the woods, it should be much lighter to carry out...and I don't need your 10 cents deposit.

And styrofoam coffee cups aren't biodegradable...and neither are water bottles or baby diapers.

Public land is for all of us to enjoy, but it's hard to enjoy the land when it's dotted with litter.

And as for disturbing the morel habitat, the subdivisions are doing very well at destroying spots, so please, like Tracey said, please leave the woods the way you found them. Show some respect for this beautiful land we live in.

(She says as she steps down off of her soapbox...)

Deerslayer · Apr 22, 2008, 8:48 pm

What they said....if I see ya dumping trash or leaving it, I'll say something to ya and that's a promise

GABE · Apr 22, 2008, 8:55 pm

Ummmm, maybe Turkeys????

miker · Apr 22, 2008, 9:46 pm

Its referred to as badgering, and that would put that individual who is badgering as having the mind capacity of a badger, which is nothing more than a fat stupid weasel,mike

Tracey · Apr 23, 2008, 7:18 am

Not turkeys. Although I do see the markings from turkeys often. I have no problems with the turks, that's their home.

The holes I saw yesterday were done by a human male, size 10-11 shoe, age 40-80. Drinks coffee from a styrofoam Speedway cup(and leaves it) and uses a larger walking stick. Was in the woods about 3 hrs prior to my arrival. He may have been accompanied by a female using a smaller stick.(This one not sure of). But I guarantee this was human damage.
Still waiting for the appearance of my male who brings his coffee can of cigarette butts and scrapes big holes and leaves cigarette butts in the center of the holes

If you get 10 hunters in an area of 5 acres that do this, you end up with trashed woods.
I knew I should have stated that this is not from turkeys, lol.
Yes Jack, I always cover my stems :)

wildcrafter · Apr 23, 2008, 11:17 pm

I beg to differ it is turkeys just the featherless kind.

Apr 22, 2008, 6:49 pm	#1
Tracey Full Member Name: Tracey Southern, Michigan USA Fairgrove Join Date: Feb 12, 2003 Posts: 288	Morels are for picking, not digging Since this is the beginning of the season and I have already seen this, I have to do this post. I hunt public land. So it is inevitable that I will be hunting behind others. Cups, cans and bottles are not for marking spots. If you do, know that you have just shown me your spot and I will be back there before you. I say this, so maybe you will think twice before leaving your trash. When you find morels and dig away the leaf matter in a 3ft diameter, you are destroying their habitat. You are also covering up the morels that will be growing there in the next week or two. I know this, because I find the majority of my morels under the piles that you have created. I will never understand the purpose of digging away all the matter. If you lift the leaves where you find your morels and replace them, I will not find your spots and your future morels can grow without trying to struggle thru a pile of leaves. I have never actually saw anyone digging these areas, but was told once by someone that this is what they do, because this is how they were taught. It just saddens me when I get into an area and see hundreds of 3ft bare spots and I see this in every place that I hunt. Please leave the woods as you found them. Thanks.

Apr 22, 2008, 9:46 pm	#5
miker Full Member Name: Mike Southern, Michigan USA Join Date: Feb 8, 2003 Posts: 2,830	Its referred to as badgering, and that would put that individual who is badgering as having the mind capacity of a badger, which is nothing more than a fat stupid weasel,mike __________________ I've been accused of the things, I've said

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Apr 22, 2008, 8:39 pm	#2
Tammy Enhanced Membership Name: Tammy Northern, Michigan USA Twin Lake Join Date: Feb 8, 2003 Posts: 665	I'll second all of that, Tracey. Thanks for posting this! I always carry a trash bag into the woods with me to pick up what others leave behind. It never ceases to amaze me how much trash there is. (Or how many spots we've found this way!) If you can carry a full beer or pop into the woods, it should be much lighter to carry out...and I don't need your 10 cents deposit. And styrofoam coffee cups aren't biodegradable...and neither are water bottles or baby diapers. Public land is for all of us to enjoy, but it's hard to enjoy the land when it's dotted with litter. And as for disturbing the morel habitat, the subdivisions are doing very well at destroying spots, so please, like Tracey said, please leave the woods the way you found them. Show some respect for this beautiful land we live in. (She says as she steps down off of her soapbox...)

Apr 22, 2008, 8:48 pm	#3
Deerslayer Full Member Name: Mike Northern, Michigan usa Join Date: Mar 7, 2003 Posts: 571	What they said....if I see ya dumping trash or leaving it, I'll say something to ya and that's a promise

Apr 22, 2008, 8:55 pm	#4
GABE Full Member Name: mike Southern, Michigan usa Join Date: Feb 8, 2003 Posts: 174	Ummmm, maybe Turkeys????

Apr 23, 2008, 7:18 am	#6
Tracey Full Member Name: Tracey Southern, Michigan USA Fairgrove Join Date: Feb 12, 2003 Posts: 288	Not turkeys. Although I do see the markings from turkeys often. I have no problems with the turks, that's their home. The holes I saw yesterday were done by a human male, size 10-11 shoe, age 40-80. Drinks coffee from a styrofoam Speedway cup(and leaves it) and uses a larger walking stick. Was in the woods about 3 hrs prior to my arrival. He may have been accompanied by a female using a smaller stick.(This one not sure of). But I guarantee this was human damage. Still waiting for the appearance of my male who brings his coffee can of cigarette butts and scrapes big holes and leaves cigarette butts in the center of the holes If you get 10 hunters in an area of 5 acres that do this, you end up with trashed woods. I knew I should have stated that this is not from turkeys, lol. Yes Jack, I always cover my stems :)

Apr 23, 2008, 11:17 pm	#7
wildcrafter Full Member Name: jeff Central, Michigan usa eaton rapids Join Date: Apr 11, 2008 Posts: 40	I beg to differ it is turkeys just the featherless kind.