...  Also, this doesnt account for carrion.  Some 'experts'
>believe that humans were largely scavangers.

Dear Wade, this is fascinating, the scavenger bit. Do you have references
for this? Maybe humans were eating a lot more bacteria back then?  Maybe it
is healthier than we think to eat aged meats that do have bacteria in them?
Just wondering.

Speaking if aging, how long does dried beef jerky keep, and under what
conditions? I have had some in my refrigerator and it has been there for
quite some time as my son eats only the wild game meat. How long does it
keep unrefrigerated? refrigerated? frozen?