Giant morel mushroom found by Kansas City hunter

Jack Sherbo will long remember the spring of 2015 for the big one that didn’t get away.

No, we’re not talking about a fish. Or a wild turkey.

We’re talking about a morel — the king of morels.

While searching for the tasty woodland mushrooms in April, Sherbo came across one giant morel by itself, tucked under taller weed growth. The mushroom was the biggest Sherbo ever found, measuring 1 foot tall and 14 inches in circumference at the bottom of the skirt.

“I was amazed at the size of that morel,” said Sherbo, who lives in Kansas City and hunts for mushrooms in Platte County and Franklin County, Kan. “That one was the biggest I have ever seen or even heard of.

“When people go out morel hunting every spring, they dream of finding morels like that.”

Hunting for morels in the spring has become a popular pastime. Once the weather warms and spring rains start, the delectable mushrooms begin popping up. The chase to find those morels becomes a treasure hunt of sorts for hundreds of outdoors enthusiasts in Missouri and Kansas.

Productive spots become well-guarded secrets, much the same way as fishermen guard their “honey holes.” The season generally reaches its peak by late April, but can stretch into May.

“Last year I got 546 in just one spot, which is about an acre in size, in three hours of looking,” Sherbo said. “The same spot yielded about half that many this year, but that’s only because I quit looking after I collected more than I could use.”

The morel season has ended for the most part in Missouri and Kansas. But the good part for hunters — feasting on the morels they found — is just getting started.

Like many, Sherbo savors the results of those morel hunts. He slices them in half, soaks them in salt water for several minutes, then fries them in butter in a skillet. He seasons the morels with salt, and he has a meal that he looks forward to each spring.

Yeah, it’s free

If you’ve been wanting to give fishing a try but have been reluctant to open your wallet for the price of a license, this weekend is for you.

Saturday and Sunday are Free Fishing Days in Missouri and Kansas, part of National Fishing Week. That means aspiring fishermen don’t have to possess a state fishing license while they give the sport a try.

Fees may still apply at some private, city and county lakes, so check before you make your first cast. But at most bodies of water, fishermen will get a free pass.

Youth fishing derby set for Saturday

Harrisonville City Park will be filled with young fishermen Saturday.

A Youth Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Cass County Elks Lodge and the National Wild Turkey Federation, will take place from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the City Park Amphitheater, with the first 200 registrants receiving a free fishing rod and tackle box.

The event is open to youngsters 17 years of age and younger. Participants will compete for free trophies and awards, and will be served a free lunch. In addition to fishing, they also will be able to shoot archery and pellet guns.

For more information, call Mike Metchnikoff at 816-804-5999.

The water is still rising

The deluge of rain that has hit Missouri and Kansas continues to affect outdoors recreation in the region.

In Kansas, the reservoirs in the southeast part of the state are most-affected. Fall River Reservoir is 32 feet above normal, Toronto is 27 feet high and Elk City is 24 feet above normal.

In Missouri, Bull Shoals is 13.7 feet high, Truman is 10 feet above normal and Pomme de Terre is 8 feet high.

This story was originally published June 4, 2015 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Giant morel mushroom found by Kansas City hunter."