I've handled firearms since age 14, as I suspect others here have.
I agree - the first thing to do is get trained. Sporting goods stores can recommend firearms safety training courses.
Next, if you have the money for it, buying a basic .22 caliber rifle is good training because it is inexpensive to shoot, and running hundreds of rounds through any firearm is a good way to learn and reinforce good habits such as breath control and holding a sight picture.
If you don't have the money to buy a .22 and then gradute to a larger caliber, the question is - WHAT do you want to hunt? A shotgun is a bird-hunting weapon in most areas, whereas a rifle is a deer hunting weapon. I got the impression you wanted to deer hunt from the first post. There are tons of different calibers out there, and everyone has their favorite. I personally own a pre-WWII .300 Savage, which is a short range, moderately powerful rifle - but my daughter took a deer with one shot using it the first time she went out.
Finally - this is something no one has mentioned - if you shoot it, you're going to have to field-dress the carcass. If it's a deer, you need to know what to do in the field before transporting it. Many hunters take wild game to a butcher who specializes in preparing wild game, and that's what I'd recommend if you want to hunt deer. But do your homework and learn how to field-prep the deer. Sporting goods stores and other hunters can recommend a competent butcher.
I agree - the first thing to do is get trained. Sporting goods stores can recommend firearms safety training courses.
Next, if you have the money for it, buying a basic .22 caliber rifle is good training because it is inexpensive to shoot, and running hundreds of rounds through any firearm is a good way to learn and reinforce good habits such as breath control and holding a sight picture.
If you don't have the money to buy a .22 and then gradute to a larger caliber, the question is - WHAT do you want to hunt? A shotgun is a bird-hunting weapon in most areas, whereas a rifle is a deer hunting weapon. I got the impression you wanted to deer hunt from the first post. There are tons of different calibers out there, and everyone has their favorite. I personally own a pre-WWII .300 Savage, which is a short range, moderately powerful rifle - but my daughter took a deer with one shot using it the first time she went out.
Finally - this is something no one has mentioned - if you shoot it, you're going to have to field-dress the carcass. If it's a deer, you need to know what to do in the field before transporting it. Many hunters take wild game to a butcher who specializes in preparing wild game, and that's what I'd recommend if you want to hunt deer. But do your homework and learn how to field-prep the deer. Sporting goods stores and other hunters can recommend a competent butcher.
