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Daniel Boone NF Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

Daniel Boone NF

Good

Daniel Boone National Forest in eastern KY. Rich mixed mesophytic forest with tulip poplar, white ash, oak-hickory, and old apple orchards. One of the earliest and most productive morel regions in the Midwest belt. South-facing slopes produce first.

Trees:Tulip Poplar White Ash Hickory

Updated Oct 11, 5:07 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

Daniel Boone NF is rated Good for fruiting conditions. Soil is at 58.3°F with no drought and the moisture trigger met, but the limiting factor is moisture. Only 0.43" fell over the past 14 days, and VWC sits at a thin 0.15 (7-day average 0.16), so flushes will be real but not explosive. The strongest candidates are the fall staples: Hen of the Woods, Honey Mushroom, Lion's Mane, Hedgehog, Blewit, Beefsteak Polypore, Smooth Chanterelle, Oak Milk Cap, and Bear's Head Tooth, all with 7/7 days above their temperature thresholds. Chicken of the Woods and the stinkhorns are marginal at 4/7 days above 60°F, and Black Trumpet is a long shot at 1/7 days against a 62°F minimum. Watch for rain: a soaking of an inch or more would lift moisture off the floor and kick the fruiting pulse into gear within a week, while continued dry weather with cooling soil will start shutting down the warmer-season species. The high-confidence list also includes lethal species: Death Cap, Destroying Angel, and Deadly Galerina are all fruiting now, along with Green-Gill Lepiota and Poison Pie. Expect them in the same habitats where you'll be hunting edibles. Hot tip: Prioritize old-growth oak stands and the drainages and north-facing hollows that hold moisture longest, since that's where Hen of the Woods, Honey Mushroom, and Oak Milk Cap will be putting out while the open ridges stay dry.

Generated by Claude (Anthropic) from the structured weather, soil, and phenology data on this page. The LLM can misread edge cases — treat this as a starting hypothesis, not a guarantee. Always verify conditions on the ground before committing to a long drive.

Foraging Potential80/100

✅Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

Precip 7d

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Nearby Camping

Within(8)

Whittleton Campground

developed

~0.2 mi from center

Miguel's Campsite

developed

~0.7 mi from centerFee required/night

toiletshower

Reserve →

Middle Fork Campground

developed

~0.8 mi from center

Tunnel Ridge Road

dispersed

USFS~1.9 mi from center

Daniel Boone National Forest

Reserve →

Koomer Ridge Campground

developed

USFS~2.1 mi from centerFee required/night

Daniel Boone National Forest

Reserve →

Red River Gorge Geological Area

dispersed

USFS~4.2 mi from center

Daniel Boone National Forest

Reserve →

Land of the Arches

developed

~5.1 mi from centerFee required/night

Callies

developed

~7.2 mi from center

Reserve →

⚠ Road Access Notice

Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.

Viable Species

Confidence × Primordia state

MODERATEActivating

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

soil temp marginal (58°F vs 60°F min, 4/7 days above), today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

MODERATEActivating

Black TrumpetCraterellus cornucopioides

soil temp marginal (58°F vs 62°F min, 1/7 days above), today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Destroying AngelAmanita bisporigera

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

BlewitLepista nuda

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

EarthstarGeastrum triplex

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Deadly GalerinaGalerina marginata

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Violet WebcapCortinarius violaceus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

BlusherAmanita rubescens

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Gem-Studded PuffballLycoperdon perlatum

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow PatchesAmanita flavoconia

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Poison PieHebeloma crustuliniforme

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Blackening RussulaRussula nigricans

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Elfin SaddleHelvella crispa

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Crested CoralClavulina cristata

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Aniseed FunnelClitocybe odora

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 6/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Rooted CollybiaXerula furfuracea

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

The DeceiverLaccaria laccata

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 58°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16)

MODERATEActivating

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

soil temp marginal (58°F vs 60°F min, 4/7 days above), today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16

MODERATEActivating

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

soil temp marginal (58°F vs 60°F min, 4/7 days above), today 0.15 VWC, 7d avg 0.16

Primordia readiness: Cold = mycelium dormant. Activating = soil warming, primordia building. Primed = 5+ sustained warm days at species threshold; fruiting imminent if moisture cooperates. Based on Schmidt 1983 / Mihail 2007.

Daniel Boone NF

AI Conditions Report

Found something?

Nearby Camping

Whittleton Campground

Miguel's Campsite

Middle Fork Campground

Tunnel Ridge Road

Koomer Ridge Campground

Red River Gorge Geological Area

Land of the Arches

Callies

Conditions History

Viable Species

Limiting Factors