Smoke shack construction

I have been using this very small electric smoker for 3 years now. All things considered it did a fine job for the first 2 years.
The temp control froze up and wouldn't budge. The burner element became loose and unsafe. The latch broke on the door. Well you get the point.

So I decide to build one. Yes build one why not? First things first however...What to build it with. Wood was my natural choice. I can get a lot from work at no cost.
My next question was; is that feasible? So the search engine on my PC went into overdrive. By golly it is possible especially for what I want.

I started with a basic 2x4 shell with 1/4 plywood on the outside and insulated on the inside. Right here the dimensions are 56" tall by 36 " wide and 36" deep.

I then added a door and included a window I had leftover from our Hail storm of 2008
As you can see I added 3 rafters I cut on a 3-12 pitch.
I covered the gable ends(below) with plywood and proceeded to sheet the roof

Now I have to line the inside with oak boards I hope to get from a friend at a reasonable price. I will line the bottom 2 foot with aluminum flashing to help with cleanup of drippings. Also cover the floor with either firebricks or clay tiles. More pictures to come. Stay tuned.

Kaitlins last hunt night

Well we left the house at 4:15 pm tonight. We had time for some pictures before settling in.

It was a quiet evening. Breeze about 10 to 15 mph temps in the low 70's. We saw 1 buck about 150 yds out. Watched him feed for awhile then disappear into the brush. Nothing else stirred until we were leaving a couple of deer entered the field as we were walking out. Couldn't tell what they were. They were about 50 yards out. Kaitlin begged me to let her shoot one but I told her there wasn't enough light and it wasn't safe. Besides we owed the deer a little more respect than that. It was nice to have some one on one with my daughter. She is going to make a fine huntress and I am very proud already. We will try again during the regular season in November. Thanks to Richardson's Guide Service for the free hunt they so kindly awarded her during their annual drawing. Check them out on the web at richardsonsguideservice.com.

Saturday Night Deer Hunt with Kaitlin

Took Kaitlin (13) out for a special youth hunt last night.
We seen 10 deer. 3 were bucks. We had one old doe come within 10 yards of us but
she wouldn't give us a good shot. Eventually she ran away.
6 pt. came out right at dark at about 50 yds. She took a poke at it but missed.
What a rush. She said Oh my I'm shaking. It's a good thing she was shaking because she couldn't feel me shaking. LOL We will try it again tonight. All things considered. It was a success