just a suggestion, if you are going to always make a batch or two of jerky when you get a deer, get one of those jerky boards. I think they are around $20 or so, but your slices are even and consistent. Buddy of mine has one and thats all we use for jerky cuts. He smokes his as well, usually using hickory or mesquite chips at 200 for about 3 hours. I myself got a dehydrator for x-mas from the mother in law and used that with great sucess.