RE: making jerky
POOHEY. . . . use any type of meat you want, uncooked. Trim it very well. cut in strips no more than 1/8 thick. Marinate it in spices of your choice. I mix soy sauce, teriaki marinade, garlic, cheyane (sp?) pepper, Chili pepper, onion powder, black pepper, salt and such to taste, little bit of olive oil put all that and place in a big bowl with the meat. cover with foil place in the ice box, mix every few hours. the next day take it out and place it in your dryer. check it every few hours and start removing pieces when they are dry but not brittle. make sure the thicker peices are dried through too.
You think the indians cooked their meet first? Nope. . . .with proper drying you'll be fine.
Just remember that if you dry to slow bacteria and or mold will grow. . .this is bad.
This will work for salmon and sturgeon too. . . . .