Beginners FAQ on sausage making, meat curing etc may often be found at the head of each relevant section, but here is the place to ask experienced users for advice if you are still stuck or need more information...we're here to help!
The deeper the freeze the better (i.e. a frost-free freezer will cause more damage due to freeze-thaw cycles). The flavors will fade over time even while frozen. I know that some of my smoked snack sticks even had texture changes from freezing too long. Plus if it's a good recipe, you won't be able to make it last an entire year
Pigs are magical creatures.... they turn vegetables into BACON!!
Update. I made some venison sausage with two recipes. The first was a normal breakfast sausage and the second an Italian sausage. The breakfast sausage needed a bit of sage when I fried a test piece. The Italian was good from the start.
I used a meat grinder to stuff the casings. That is a bit of a skill I’ll need to work on.
I would say to use the grinder to stuff a few more times. Then if it seems like you're truly interested in continuing the hobby (and can therefore justify the expense) look at getting a dedicated stuffer. It is so much faster, easier and less frustrating. Glad to hear your recipes worked out. In the end it doesn't matter as much what they look like as long as they taste good.
Pigs are magical creatures.... they turn vegetables into BACON!!