look into hunting clubs in your area. call and find out what it takes to join. i've hunted my whole life but was raised in a hunting family. if you join one of these clubs rather it is a bird club or whatever these people should be willing to help you learn some things and help guide you down the right path. chances are that if they hunt one thing i.e. quail they probably hunt other game as well like squirrels and rabbits and deer. good luck. a shotgun would be my choice if i were to buy one gun to start out with because you can all sorts of upland game with fine shot, then hunt waterfowl with steel shot, and then hunt deer with slugs or buck shot all out of the same gun. whether you choose 12 or 20 gauge it really doesn't matter. look into a gun club or hunting club they can help answer a lot of your questions and hel get you on the right track. believe me hunting is more fun with buddies.