mushroom hunting

[GRIMJIM]

I just got back. We got about 40 lbs. total of hen of the woods. We were only out about two hours. Now I gotta get to cleaning them.

[Midwest31]

Thanks for posting.  I'd never heard of hen of the woods.  We've surely got them around here.  Is late Sept the normal time to find them?

[GRIMJIM]

Yeah, right around now. They grow around the base of very large oak treesd or dying ones. I hesitate to describe them, you should really go with someone that knows what they look like. Once they're pointed out to you, it will be pretty obvious which ones are good to eat. They grow in bunches of petal looking things.

http://theforagerpress.com/fieldguide/octfd.htm

They are very good but as I found out the hard way..........CLEAN THE RIGHT AWAY!
I left them in the back of my truck for a couple of days. It was pretty cool out. Man what a stench. I had to throw them out and it still smells in there a week later.

[GRIMJIM]

Oh, yeah, if they're turning dark yellow or orange they are too far gone. Look for gray to brown on the petals and white underneath.

[GRIMJIM]

I went again today by myself, well me and my s&w model 10.

I am making a pot of venison stew to take to deer camp and I figured wild mushrooms would be just the ticket.

I only found one. Surprising after all the rain we've had in the past couple of days. About half of a plastic jewel bag. Just enough for the stew with some to munch on as well.