I didn't talk about it much, but 2014 was a disappointing year. I wrote several proposals for new books, on an array of topics, but none were accepted by any of the major publishing houses. After two successful books, I thought I'd become a proven quantity and could have a little freedom to write what I wanted to. Apparently not. "Frustrating" would be putting it mildly. 

So late last year, I said screw it: I would write a third book, come hell or high water. And it would be a follow-up to Duck, Duck, Goose, only this time covering venison in all its forms: deer, yes, but also antelope, elk, moose, caribou and even the exotics like fallow and axis deer. 

I had no idea how I'd publish it; the thought of a Kickstarter campaign came to mind. But then I got a new literary agent, and she said she thought she could sell a venison book. Turns out she was right. 

I am excited to let you, my newsletter readers, be the first to know that my third book will be published by W.W. Norton & Co., one of the largest publishing houses in New York, and that it will come out sometime in 2016. Our working title: Buck, Buck, Moose. Who knows if that title will hold up as the book progresses, but I think it's fun and useful. After all, deer are bucks, sure, but so are antelope. And even though I've yet to hunt moose, I've cooked it quite a bit. 

In the coming months I'll give you updates and previews of the book as it comes together -- a privilege of being a newsletter reader. Meanwhile, if you have any ideas about what you are really looking for in a venison cookbook, let me know. I am all ears! 

MARYLAND VISIT

If you are anywhere near Chestertown, Maryland on Tuesday, April 7, I will be at Washington College talking about sustainable food, foraging and wild game cookery. Details are here. The event is free and I'd love to see you there if you can make it.

APRIL in SEASON

April is when spring really arrives in all but the most northern climates. Morels, ramps, fiddleheads, trout, striped bass and wild turkey are what we're cooking with. In the desert Southwest, cholla buds are ready, as are tender nopalitos. Spring tides are opening up the clam beds on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Mackerel are running up the Atlantic coast and the shad are running the rivers there and here in Sacramento. In cooler places, April is a great month for spring greens like dandelions, chicories, wild spinach, miner's lettuce and nettles in the North. It's a good time to dig roots from overwintering plants like chicory, sunchokes (an American native) or American groundnut if you are in a place where spring is just thinking about getting established. Here in Sacramento, our elderflowers are already starting to bloom. 

If you're thinking about getting out there, here are a few articles on spring foraging you might find useful:

• Curly dock. This is the love child between spinach and rhubarb, a tart, tender spring green that lives everywhere and loves to be cooked with fish or turkey.
• Eating Your Lawn. How to ID chicories, dandelions and their relatives. You'd be surprised how many wild greens are in your yard.
• Foraging for Morels in the West. Normally morels are a May thing here, but with our drought they are already being picked about 4500 feet in the Sierra. 
• How to Gather Wild Onions -- sustainably. Ramps and other wild onions are in high demand now, but as foragers we need to be careful about overharvesting. 
• Gathering Wild Asparagus. Asparagus is basically done here in California, but it's just starting everywhere else. Here's how to find your own secret patch.

GARDEN & GUN

If you can find yourself a copy, I have an article in the latest Garden & Gun magazine about fishing for gigantic brook trout in Manitoba, Canada. I think it came out pretty well, and the photos are outstanding!