Hard to beat a good 12 gauge pump shotgun for beginning toshotgun: the Remington 870 can be had inexpensively(under 300)and is one of the toughest guns out there. That leaves a bunch for a real nice rifle and scope! Not that you have to spend it all there My personal favorite is the Remington 700; I favor the CDL. Also up there with good rifles are the Ruger 77, Winchester 70, and the Savage 111g. They're all going to run about 400-600. Asfar as scoping the rifle, a trusty 3-9x40 isa real all-around scope, and from makers like bushnell, burris, nikon and leupold you'll be set.I'm guessing by location you're dealing with black bears and whitetails? What better cartridge to suit than the 30-06. From antelope to moose and everything in between, you will have the gun that will do the job.