Just one other thing....
Your first deer rifle usually becomes a keep sake. It's a gun that you may want to hand down to your son some day. Scopes can come & go but get a quality rifle, preferably with a wood stock & not a youth model (unless you must). All caliber choices suggested are good for deer & bear.
Be safe, enjoy & treat it well to last multiple lifetimes.
FWIW...
...bug
Your first deer rifle usually becomes a keep sake. It's a gun that you may want to hand down to your son some day. Scopes can come & go but get a quality rifle, preferably with a wood stock & not a youth model (unless you must). All caliber choices suggested are good for deer & bear.
Be safe, enjoy & treat it well to last multiple lifetimes.
FWIW...
...bug