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Eastern NE / Missouri Bluffs Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

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Eastern NE / Missouri Bluffs

900–1,350 ft · NE🚗 Directions

Good

Missouri River bluff forests of eastern Nebraska — Indian Cave SP, Ponca SP, Stone SP, and the Loess Hills escarpment on the NE side. Rich oak-hickory with bur oak, shagbark hickory, basswood, hackberry, and black walnut on unglaciated bluffs. Among the best spring morel territory between the Ozarks and the Dakotas.

Trees:Bur Oak Shagbark Hickory Basswood

Updated Oct 11, 5:15 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

Eastern NE / Missouri Bluffs grades Good for fruiting: 4.38" over the past 14 days with no drought and a met moisture trigger gives the substrate a solid base, and soil at 72.1°F has held above threshold all 7 days. The catch is the dry week. Zero precip in the last 7 days has pulled VWC down to 0.16 today against a 0.23 weekly average, so moisture is marginal and desiccation risk is moderate. Wood-decay species (oyster, hen of the woods, chicken of the woods, lion's mane, honey, and the polypores) hold water in the substrate and are your best bets. Ground-dwelling and thin-fleshed fruiters like shaggy mane, inky caps, waxcaps, and meadow types dry out fastest and will fade first. Every species in the model is flagged viable, but treat that as a temperature and moisture-history signal, not a promise of fresh flushes everywhere. Watch for rain: without a soaking event in the next few days, the Good grade will slip as VWC keeps dropping, while a decent rain on warm soil should kick off a strong flush. Hot tip: Hunt north-facing slopes, creek bottoms, and big downed hardwoods where moisture lingers, and check freshness carefully, since anything on exposed ground is likely drying out.

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(2)

Three Adirondacks

developed

~5.1 mi from center

Adirondack

developed

~6.5 mi from center

⚠ 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

HIGHPrimed

Oyster MushroomPleurotus ostreatus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Hen of the WoodsGrifola frondosa

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Lion's ManeHericium erinaceus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Honey MushroomArmillaria mellea

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Liberty CapPsilocybe semilanceata

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Scarlet WaxcapHygrocybe coccinea

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Winter PolyporePolyporus brumalis

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Tooth JellyPseudohydnum gelatinosum

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Elm OysterHypsizygus ulmarius

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Devil's CigarChorioactis geaster

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Winter Mushroom / Wild EnokiFlammulina velutipes

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Yellow-Gilled GymGymnopilus luteofolius

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Common StinkhornPhallus impudicus

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

HIGHPrimed

Lantern StinkhornLysurus mokusin

All conditions met (soil 72°F, sustained 7/7 days above threshold, today 0.16 VWC, 7d avg 0.23)

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.