Ok I am new the hunting world and am wondering what would be the best to buy. The game is deer. I live in Northern VA and don't want to travel TOO far to hunt. Besides bow what you be the best firearm? Shotgun or rifle? I know that most places in the area are either bow only or bow and shotgun/ML. Thanks for the help.

Do you know where you are going to hunt? If so ,that would guide my response. If you plan to work the military base, see what they allow and purchases accordingly. If you think you will be on privateland, (I am not a fan of most public places) and you are on a tight budget, I'd go with a muzzle-loader. It give you two extraweeks and you can use it in rifle season. Once you narrow your focus, you will get many opinion on what to buy. Short of getting access to places to hunt, which is my challenge, these are the good old days for deer hunting and a good time to start.

Good Luck.

I agree with VaDeer, if you have private property to hunt on ML, Bow, Shotgun in NOVA area. If you choose to hunt bases Quantico (shotgun slugs only, bow) Fort Belvoir (bow olny). I'm in Dale City as well off Benita Fitzgerald/Cardinal Dr land to hunt on is the key in NOVA. I also agree with you about traveling too far just to hunt, I use to hunt in King George, Hopewell, Charles City now those were rides. Keep in touch.

When I hit the corn & bean fields in Fauquier and Spotsylvania counties I use my Winchester Model 70 in 7mm. When I hit the deep brush up in Culpeper, Orange and Madison Counties I use my Marlin 18944Ss in 44 Rem Mag. Different terrain and cover call for different tools. And this year I have a patch of woods I've been afforded the opportunity to hunt in Fairfax county, I think I'm going to utilize my bow for tht one. Find the right tool for the job.

(Clicking my heels together as I type: There's no place like home...there's no place like home..there's no place...like...)

Thanks for the replies. I've got the ML and a shotgun. Haven't worked a load for either yet. I was hoping that there was just one that would cover the lot. Really don't want to spent the rest of my life buys guns to fit all the possibilties.

VAdeer, the area is unknown really. I am taking the hunter safety this year, then I'm going to try to find some poor soul to take the newbie out. Newbie only to hunting as I've been shooting since I was 8, 34 now.

VAsavage, we are close, Minnieville and Cardinal.

Thanks for the thought Passafist.