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Ouachita NF (OK) Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

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Ouachita NF (OK)

600–2,500 ft · OK🚗 Directions

A

Oklahoma side of the Ouachita NF — shortleaf pine, white oak, hickory across the Ouachita Mountains east of McAlester. Excellent yellow morel territory in spring; chanterelles, lobster, and hen-of-the-woods through summer/fall. Heavy public access via Talimena Scenic Drive.

Trees:Shortleaf Pine White Oak Hickory

Updated Aug 27, 4:16 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

**Ouachita NF Tier A: The Paradox of Potential** You're sitting on a Tier A rating despite bone-dry soil (0.14 VWC) because the region's biodiversity and substrate diversity create consistent fruiting opportunities even in drought conditions—wood-decayers, saprotrophs, and wood-lovers like oysters, chicken of the woods, and the polypore suite don't need wet soil to fruit. That said, the limiting factor is unambiguous: moisture. Two weeks of near-zero precipitation has left the soil parched, and nothing triggering off the moisture threshold means you're fishing in the shallow end of what this forest can offer right now. Watch the forecast obsessively over the next 72 hours—even 0.3–0.5" of rain will shift multiple species from "marginal" to "prime," especially the boletes, chanterelles, and milk caps that are currently coiled tight. The wood-fruiting contingent (polypores, oysters, stinkhorns) will hold regardless, so they're your reliable baseline, but the real flush requires water. **Hot tip:** Scout decomposing hardwood in creek bottoms and north-facing ravines where soil moisture lingers longest; oysters and hedgehogs will fruit there first when rain comes.

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(6)

Billy Creek Recreation Area

developed

USFS~1.9 mi from centerFee required/night

Ouachita National Forest

Winding Stair Campground

developed

~2.8 mi from center

Hikers Camp for Winding Stair Campground

backcountry

~2.8 mi from center

Winding Stair Campground

developed

USFS~2.8 mi from centerFee required/night

Ouachita National Forest

Cedar Lake Sandy Beach

developed

~6.8 mi from center

Cedar Lake Recreation Area

developed

USFS~6.8 mi from centerFee required/night

Ouachita National Forest

⚠ 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

MODERATEPrimed

Frost's BoleteBoletus frostii

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Oyster MushroomPleurotus ostreatus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

ChanterelleCantharellus cibarius

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

ReishiGanoderma tsugae

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Pink-Tipped CoralRamaria botrytis

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Aspen BoleteLeccinum insigne

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Indigo Milk CapLactarius indigo

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Saffron Milk CapLactarius deliciosus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Crown-Tipped CoralArtomyces pyxidatus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Panther CapAmanita pantherina

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Pig's EarsGomphus clavatus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Bleeding ToothHydnellum peckii

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Cinnabar ChanterelleCantharellus cinnabarinus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Berkeley's PolyporeBondarzewia berkeleyi

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Red-Capped Scaber StalkLeccinum aurantiacum

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Two-Colored BoleteBoletus bicolor

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Gypsy MushroomCortinarius caperatus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Caesar's AmanitaAmanita jacksonii

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

The PrinceAgaricus augustus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Weeping Milk CapLactifluus volemus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Bay BoleteImleria badia

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Bitter BoleteTylopilus felleus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Painted BoleteSuillus spraguei

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Chicken-Fat BoleteSuillus americanus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Shrimp RussulaRussula xerampelina

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

The SickenerRussula emetica

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Green Cracked RussulaRussula virescens

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Short-Stemmed RussulaRussula brevipes

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Peppery Milk CapLactarius piperatus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Coker's AmanitaAmanita cokeri

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Deadly WebcapCortinarius rubellus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Bloody WebcapCortinarius sanguineus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Bleeding AgaricusAgaricus haemorrhoidarius

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Northern ToothClimacodon septentrionalis

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Sweet ToothHydnum umbilicatum

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Red CoralRamaria araiospora

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Dog Vomit Slime MoldFuligo septica

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Yellow Fly AgaricAmanita muscaria var. guessowii

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Scaly Wood MushroomAgaricus silvaticus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Lobster MushroomHypomyces lactifluorum

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Slippery JackSuillus luteus

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Hawks Wing

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Amanita Muscaria

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Golden TeacherPsilocybe cubensis

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Ravenel's Stinkhorn

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

MODERATEPrimed

Elegant StinkhornMutinus elegans

moisture marginal (today 0.14 VWC, 7d avg 0.14)

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.