To help with the fat smear, I've actually laid the ground fat out on a cookie sheet and let it come to almost completely frozen, and then mixed it in. It worked better for me, but I still mash and squeeze it too much. My youngest son has the touch, not sure how he does it, but his hand mix always looks better than mine!
I haven't bought just trimmings for it before. When I get out the equipment to make sausage, I usually make quite a bit, so butts and scraps from them are available.
I understand about the no deer thus far! My wife had surgery, so I've been sticking pretty close to the house this deer season. But, rumor has it, that a doe may arrive at my workplace in the morning! Stay tuned for that one!