As an all purpose gun for shooting coyotes to elk, the 30/06 excels. Especially for someone who can afford only one gun. But everything has a price, and the price you pay is recoil.
If all you want is a deer rifle, a .243, 30/30, 7mm/08 or several other calibers do the job.
I put a Sims Recoil Pad on my 30/06 & it has really made a huge difference, for an old guy like me. I enjoy shooting it more & would have no problem hunting with it.