DNR produces map of 2014 burned areas to give folks a hand
in the hunt for morels
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has produced an interactive map that highlights the state’s 2014 wildfires and prescribed burns – each more than 10 acres in size – to help mushroom hunters in their quest for morels.
“Morel mushrooms are often found in locations where large fires occurred the previous year,” explained Paul Kollmeyer, resource protection manager for the DNR Forest Resources Division. “Each spring we get calls from people who are seeking details on those sites to hunt morels. We’ve created this map to give our customers the information they are looking for in a mobile-friendly, easily accessible package.”
The DNR’s interactive Mi-Morels map provides forest covertype information, latitude and longitude coordinates, and state land boundary information.
Morel mushrooms commonly sprout in locations burned by wildfires or prescribed burns with a forested covertype; grass or sunlit open settings are less likely to produce the tasty fungi.
“While the map may provide details on the covertype that was burned, it’s up to the user to investigate whether morel mushrooms are growing at any location on the map,” Kollmeyer said. “Just because a spot is marked on the map, it doesn’t mean morels will be growing at the area identified. We’re providing a resource, but it’s up to the hunters to head out to the forest and see what’s available.
“Whether you find morels, a day spent walking in the woods, enjoying the spring beauty, is a day well spent.”
The information and data in the map on burn locations, state forest cover-type, and state land boundaries are available for users to interact with and download via the DNR Open Data portal. This site gives the citizens and public land users of Michigan access to Michigan DNR spatial data and information.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is not responsible for the incorrect identification of morel mushrooms. For more information on safe mushroom hunting, visit the DNR’s website.