Nathan67, you didn' t specify what type of hunting you wanted to do. A Ruger 10/22 .22 rifle( about $140) for squirrel hunting will help you learn to be stealthy in the woods which is a must for deer hunting. A 12 gauge or 20 Remington 870 pump will do fine for birds, rabbits, squirell and with slugs or buckshot for deer. And big game rifles depend on your terrain and average shot distance you will make. .308, 7mm-08, .260, 270, 30-06 and on and on for deer size game. But carefull shopping will get any of these in your price range. Good luck, be careful, and learn to have patience.