OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Rainy weather means it’s time to hunt mushrooms.

Mushroom hunting is a popular hobby for many residents in the heartland.  Hundreds of people visit Lake Wapello State Park in the spring just to take part in the annual tradition. 

However, due to unusually dry weather to start spring, mushrooms haven't been able to grow as much as previous years.

“This year we've had real low amount of precipitation,” park manager Ron Moore said.  “Even though we've had a good water table, we were awfully dry.  It seems like every year that we got to have some moisture to bring the mushrooms up.”

Mushrooms tend to appear in dark moist areas.  When you look for specific trees where mushrooms grow on elm and maple are most popular. 

“Usually look for dead or decaying wood trees.  [Elm and maple] seem to be kind of the hotter areas to look for mushrooms."

Before you go hunting for mushrooms make sure you have permission to search on the property.  If this is your first time hunting mushrooms make sure you pick the right ones.

“The morel are the ones you want to look for.  A lot of other fungi are edible but I wouldn't recommend (eating them).  If you've picked something, you have a question, take them to an expert.  Find out what they are before you even try to eat them.”