Knowledge needed to pick mushrooms Wausau Daily Herald Wisconsin is among several Midwest states where more mushrooms are found in spring. Morels typically sprout from late April to late May it this state, with middle to late May common in the north and early to mid-May in the southwest. There are several varieties of morels, including a "false morel. "Because some species of wild mushrooms are highly poisonous, no one should pick any wild mushroom without supervision from Sr experienced mushroom handler All wild mushrooms should be cooked before eating. A valuable book for beginning mushroom pickers is "Start Mushrooming - The Easiest Way to Start Collecting 6 Edible Mushrooms," by Minnesota experts Stan Tekiela and Karen Shanberg. The authors tout their starter mushrooms (which include morels) as "the safe six" and offer photos, descriptions and good advice on where and when to find them. The 126-page paperback is available from Adventure Publications (1-800-678 7006) for approximately $8 plus shipping