Years ago, my husband made many batches of beef jerky in the oven. He ate it at lunch regularly. I remember that it had a salty, flavorful marinade (soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce?) and it dried in a low oven for a long time.

I don't have his recipe any more, Dave, but if you Google "how to make beef jerky in the oven", you will find many recipes. His method has the advantages of no flies and no varmints.