Preparing ahead of time for your foraging experience can greatly enhance your success and safety. Dress for the weather. It's advisable to pack food and water, avoid poison ivy, be ready for insects, know the terrain and carry a compass. There are a few rules of thumb for gathering mushrooms. Take along a flat container for collecting morels.
Plastic bags cause mushrooms to sweat and disintegrate.
A rigid container will prevent the mushrooms from breaking during the hunt and maintain their edibility. Always cut the mushroom at the stem rather than pulling it from the earth. Keep your collection clean and keep it cool. Once you have your collection home, clean and cook the mushrooms as soon as possible. Splitting the cap lengthwise allows you to check for dirt and insects.