All around the country, game manament departments decry the decline of hunting in youth, yet require young hunters to use a gun with very limited range that recoils as hard as a dangerous game rifle and that costs as much to shoot.[:@]

I live in Indiana where I grew up hunting with slug guns. The situation you described pretty much has "shot gun" written all over it around here. BUT if I were in a state where I could use a rifle and I had a 50-100 yard shots I would not use a shot gun. I haven't use a shot gun in about 5 years, since I bought my Encore 209X50 that's all I've carried.
I don't necessarily agree with the ones that say a 12 slug isn't an efficient killer, I've had many deer drop in their tracks, or a few yards later, so that's not why I'd choose a rifle. The justification for my opinion comes from recoil and cost. A 12 guage loaded with 3" Partition Golds kicks harder than anything I've ever handled, itdidn'treally bother me, but Ihave an unclethat scared to death of his and I can't get him to put thedamn thing down and get something that he can shoot accurately. As I mentioned, anotherbig reason for me isthefrickin sabot slugs can cost almost 4 bucks a peice. For those 2 reasons, in your situation I'd go witharifle, like the good ole 30/30 or a good 7mm-08 or 308, and a scope like a Leupold 2-7 wouldn't hurt anything either! Also, don't forget about a good muzzleloader as an option!

Great thread!Man there are some passionate people on this forum, it's been a good read.

I'll be the first to admit that in the right situation a shotgun is an effective and efficient deer killing machine. But, in my opinion that makes no difference. When I am deer hunting, killing a deer is secondary to hunting a deer. When I carry a shotgun, I feel like I'm pheasant or grouse hunting, not deer hunting. I just like hunting deer with rifles. Bolt action rifles, lever action rifles, single shot rifles, pump action rifles, I don't care. Everybody has there own deer hunting thoughts, and mine don't include carrying a shotgun in the field.

I agree with this! Give me a rifle. I've seen way too many failures with Foster-type shotgun slugs to ever again want to use them. And, where legal, (it shouldn't be!!) buckshot is even worse.....

i think a shotgun is effective at that range but a rifle is far more effective

Rifle for sure! Shotguns kill deer just as dead but if givin the opportunity to hunt a field 200yds across your screwed! Rifle will do the job at 50 and 200, shotgun wont.

I would go with a muzzleloader if legal. 1 thing to consider is how accurate you are with each. and where you plan on shooing the deer. If you are wanting a shoulder shot use the rifle A slower round would help to like a PCR.