Here is a great gift idea for the hunter or fisherman in your life. A number of years ago, George Carl published his “Napa Valley Wild Game & Fish Cookbook (With Wine).”

This cookbook is a collection of recipes for preparing fish, fowl, big game and other delicacies you can’t buy at the grocery store.

Due to popular demand, the cookbook has recently been made available once again.

Most of the recipes were contributed by local Napa residents. The book includes sections on fish/shellfish, duck/goose, upland game, small mammals, wild boar and venison/elk. Each of the recipes features wine as one of the ingredients.

I’ve used the cookbook to prepare many delicious meals after successful fishing and hunting adventures. Even ordinary culinary skills like mine can produce a memorable feast!

The cookbooks can be purchased in Napa at Shackford’s, Sweeney’s, Browns Valley Market, Colonial Saddle, Craig Motors and Bookends. They are also available Upvalley at St. Helena Wine Merchants and the Culinary Institute.

Other retailers interested in carrying the cookbook can contact Greg Carl at wildgameckbk16@aol.com.

Bay fishing

seasons resume

On Thursday, Nov. 29, Governor Schwarzenegger lifted the suspension on all recreational fishing seasons in the San Francisco Bay oil spill area. Fishing had been suspended while the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) evaluated the safety of consuming fish caught in the affected area.

An advisory remains against eating mussels taken from the Berkeley Marina and Rodeo Beach. Samples taken from these areas showed some contaminants, so it is recommended to avoid eating mussels from these areas until future tests reveal no health risks.

Fishermen are also advised to use common sense and avoid areas of visible floating oil. Fish that come in direct contact with floating oil should not be eaten, nor should fish that have the smell or taste of oil.

Duck weather

is coming

So far our autumn of 2007 has not seen much in the way of rain, but hopefully some “fowl” weather is on its way.

The ducks and geese that live in our area year-round get smart pretty quickly after the season opens, and are able to find the safe places to land fairly easily as long as the weather stays clear.

But on stormy or foggy days, their flight patterns get thrown off and many birds will wander into areas open for hunting.

Local waterfowl hunting success is also affected by the weather conditions in Oregon and far-northern California. So far this season hasn’t brought any significant storms to those areas, either. Major storms or extended freezing weather will drive the migratory birds south, but until then they have no reason to leave.

Waterfowl populations in the Sacramento Valley are very good this year. For example, reports indicate on the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge that numbers are up 20 to 30 percent over last year at this time. Now all we need is the right weather to ignite the hunting season.

Guy Carl is a CPA and partner with Brotemarkle, Davis & Co. Accountants and Advisors in St. Helena. Contact Guy at GC.outdoors@sbcglobal.net.