Chanterelles can be found in the same habitat that favors morels. They will always be found on the ground in grass or leaf litter, never on decaying wood or trees, and while they may be found singly, they grow more commonly in groups. All mushrooms favor moist conditions and the chanterelle is no exception. Generally, any extended period of rain should provide conditions suitable for chanterelles. Since the fruiting season of these fungi begins in May and continues through October, opportunities for finding them abound.
Early fall is a good time to search because heavy undergrowth and insect pests are on the decline.
As bright fall foliage begins to litter the forest floor, they become more difficult to find. The novice hunter should be aware of one particular look-alike to avoid. The bright orange color of the Omphalotus olearius mushroom, like the chanterelle, is quick to catch the eye. An inspection of the cap clearly reveals the knife-edgelike gills. These fungi are always found on decaying wood or trees, unlike the chanterelle.