In Missouri there are hunting seasons for deer, turkey and other animals. But perhaps the most popular hunting season has nothing to do with animals.
Because of the warm winter, the morel mushroom-hunting season is off to an early start, and residents are already finding some of these prized edible delights.
"I went out last week but couldn't find any undergrowth," said Taos resident Bryon Paneitz. "After the rains we had this week, we'll hopefully find a few."
Paneitz hunts around the Taos Conservation Area.
"It's not just people from around here," he said. "We get some come in from out of state."
Paneitz grew up in Owensville and has been hunting morels since he was 10 years old.
"I like the taste of them, so I definitely enjoy eating them," Paneitz laughed. "I'm a hunter so this is just another sport to hunt. It's quite a challenge to find them. Sometime you can spot them, and sometimes you can't. This may sound crazy, but if there's a good mess of fresh morels, I can usually smell them before I spot them."
Paneitz said the rain and warm weather should bring the ground temperature up, which will help the morels come out.
"Generally, we need 50 degrees and over for the best hunting," he said. "Some of my friends have found red ones lately."
Missouri Department of Conservation Spokesman Lucas Bond said mushroom hunting usually starts in mid-April.
"We're not surprised to see some popping up already with the weather we've had," he said. "They've been found all over the map."
Bond said it doesn't require any type of permit, and morel hunting is free for everyone to enjoy.
"Missouri has many varieties of edible and non-edible morels," he said. "If you're not sure, you can visit our website, mdc.mo.gov, and search for "Missouri's Wild Mushrooms.' It gives a list and shows pictures of what's edible and what is not."
"Mushroom hunting is a great way to get people to get back out into nature," Bond added. "Keep in mind that moist woodlands, as well as areas around ash trees, dying elms and apple trees, are good spots to hunt, as are the edges of fields and near creeks."