224: Stop Guessing: This Map Predicts Mushroom Hotspots
Tyler Hacking returns to talk about his new mushroom map guides and the GIS technology behind them. Tyler explains how his scientific background in mycology and geospatial analysis led him to create predictive mushroom maps using tools like ArcGIS Pro. Instead of simply copying public mushroom sightings, his process layers historical collection data with habitat factors such as tree associations, water, fire history, elevation, soil, slope, aspect, and other ecological parameters to predict where mushrooms are most likely to grow. He focuses especially on morels, but also discusses other edible mushrooms like chicken of the woods, oyster mushrooms, pheasant back, and porcini.
Tyler walks through how the guides are built state by state, with current maps including places like California, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin in progress. Each guide includes multiple high-resolution maps and hundreds of specific GPS coordinates designed to help foragers save time, gas, and frustration by getting closer to likely mushroom habitat. He also emphasizes that the maps are meant to support responsible mushroom hunting, including ethical harvesting practices, proper identification, and sustainable foraging. The conversation also touches on fire morels, the limits of public databases, customer feedback, affiliate opportunities, donations to mycological societies, and Tyler’s future plans for commercial, medicinal, and nutraceutical mushroom mapping.
Interested in maps? USE code “KKMAPS2026”
Watch Previous Ep with Tyler HERE
