Foraging Oyster Mushrooms

[Full Draw McGraw]

Hey all, anyone here knowledgeable about wild oyster mushrooms? I found these today in Greene county. They look the part according to what I’ve seen online and though I can’t say that I think they smell like anise myself, I do see why someone might say that.
I can’t find any forums that say there are dangerous lookalikes in GA, so as of now I’m leaning toward trying them (after more research, I’m really not interested in poisoning myself).
What are your thoughts? Concerns? Experiences?

 

[Impact97]

Enjoy! Nice score.

 

[Full Draw McGraw]

I found this impressive little cluster of oysters yesterday.

 

[Tomboy Boots]

If I had found those I would eat them. I can't tell you what is or isn't safe but we have never had a bad experience with oyster mushrooms. If you are on Facebook you can join the group "Georgia Mushrooming". We have over 21,000 members. It may help you become more familiar with the edible mushrooms that grow in Georgia.

 

[BeerThirty]

Those are definitely oyster mushrooms. From what I understand, there aren't any poisonous look-alikes to oyster mushrooms. Matter of fact, I just tried wild oyster mushrooms for the first time on a scout backpacking trip last weekend. I mixed them into my beef ramen soup, and they were outstanding.

 

[Tomboy Boots]

Oyster mushrooms are one of my favorites. They are delicious dipped in an egg wash then flour and fry until golden brown. We have also added them in omelets, soups, and spaghetti.

 

[Full Draw McGraw]

If I had found those I would eat them. I can't tell you what is or isn't safe but we have never had a bad experience with oyster mushrooms. If you are on Facebook you can join the group "Georgia Mushrooming". We have over 21,000 members. It may help you become more familiar with the edible mushrooms that grow in Georgia.

Who says i didn't? Actually i dried these.
This tree looks like it's going to be good spot to find them. It's an oak that was growing beside a creek until the bank eroded away under it. Now it's fallen across the creek but it obviously still has some living roots and the tree isn't totally dead (yet). You can tell from all the moss and ferns growing on it that it obviously gets good moisture from the creek.
I've found oysters on it the last two times i've been there. Not the prettiest oysters, but still oysters.

 

[Full Draw McGraw]

I had another good foraging day today, finding oysters all over the place. Here's some of the highlights.

 

[Full Draw McGraw]

Does anyone know what sort of fungus this is? Found growing out of the soil in an area of hardwoods, had the approximate size and feel of styrofoam packing peanuts.

*After doing some research i believe this is shrimp of the woods. A first for me

 

[Full Draw McGraw]

I got way too excited when i found this one. (obviously not an oyster)

 

[Impact97]

Does anyone know what sort of fungus this is? Found growing out of the soil in an area of hardwoods, had the approximate size and feel of styrofoam packing peanuts.

*After doing some research i believe this is shrimp of the woods. A first for me

Sure looks like it, but I am not an expert on these.

 

[NCHillbilly]

Does anyone know what sort of fungus this is? Found growing out of the soil in an area of hardwoods, had the approximate size and feel of styrofoam packing peanuts.

*After doing some research i believe this is shrimp of the woods. A first for me

Looks like aborted Entoloma.

 

[Para Bellum]

I got way too excited when i found this one. (obviously not an oyster)

Score on that one NOT being way up in a tree.

 

[Full Draw McGraw]

Score on that one NOT being way up in a tree.

Yeah but once i started cutting it up i found out it was full of little worms. Still a cool find.

 

[NCHillbilly]

Yeah but once i started cutting it up i found out it was full of little worms. Still a cool find.

A lot of those I've found have been soured.