OKLAHOMA CITY — State officials are happy when tourism dollars mushroom. And, in fact, bringing attention to foraging for the morel mushroom may boost tourism in another fun way.
At least, that’s what Rep. John George, R-Newalla, hopes. He authored House Bill 3263 in the current legislative session, with a goal of the morel being designated as Oklahoma’s state mushroom.
“I’m one of the thousands of Oklahomans who hunt the tasty morel mushroom each spring,” he said in a recent press release. “I wanted to run this fun piece of legislation to support these dedicated foragers and maybe attract new interest in Oklahoma’s landscape and promote more awareness of Oklahoma’s variety of mushrooms. By implementing a state mushroom, we could even expand opportunities for communities across the state to attract tourists and teach about fungi safety.”
The morel, considered a delicacy because of cultivation difficulties, is native to Oklahoma and primarily grows from mid-March through early May. The mushrooms can be found all across the state; however, they only grow under specific temperature and precipitation requirements. Morels can be toxic if eaten raw or undercooked.
Eight other states— California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Illinois— have already declared an official state mushroom. Minnesota was the first to legally name a state mushroom in 2010, which is also the morel.
The time is now
Although Southwest Oklahoma weather is currently experiencing roller-coaster temperatures with record heat followed by cold fronts blowing in, this is the peak time to forage for morels. Outdoor enthusiasts ready for the hunt should keep a few guidelines in mind. A free comprehensive Oklahoma morel mushroom foraging guide is available at oklahomafungi. com and offers the following tips.
First, understand where foraging is permitted. Private property is only an option with the permission of the land owner. Chickasaw National Recreation Area, located in Murray County, allows foraging; however, individuals are limited to a 5-gallon bucket of mushrooms per person per year. Ouachita National Forest in Eastern Oklahoma has the same rules.
Foraging is not permitted on state-owned public lands, including parks and wildlife management areas managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Always check local regulations.
Why morels?
An internet search reveals from multiple sites that Oklahoma has thousands of species of mushrooms and fall into two basic categories: edible or toxic. Proper identification is the only way to know for sure which category a mushroom is in.
A blog at foraged.com notes that morels stand out among wild mushrooms for their unique taste and texture. Chefs and home cooks seek this particular mushroom for the rich, nutty flavor that enhances a wide variety of dishes.
Meanwhile, out of the field and back to the statehouse, Rep. George said in his press release that he hopes this bill will not only serve as a great representation of the morel hunting community but also encourage more people to explore Oklahoma’s diverse landscape.
“Most years, I am out there with the many Oklahomans who enjoy searching for the morel,” he said. “Some people consider this almost as important as deer hunting in the fall, with families planning their time around this activity in the spring. Naming the morel as the state mushroom is a fun way to recognize this pursuit, but it also could help communities by promoting tourism and educating people about safe mushroom hunting and consumption.”
Currently, the bill is making good progress through the legislative process. It passed unanimously out of the House of Representatives’ Tourism Committee in February and then by majority vote through the House Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee.
After a third reading in the full House in mid-March, Bill 3263 crossed over to the Senate and has received a first reading in that chamber. Provided the legislation advances to the governor’s desk and is signed into law, the morel will become the state mushroom on Nov. 1.
Debi DeSilver is an awardwinning, third-generation Oklahoma journalist whose career now spans 50 years. She can be reached at silvercitypublishing@gmail.com.