[nathangdad]

Well, while I would suggest a .22 caliber and/or
a 20 gauge for a newbie your must realize these are types of ammunition. There are many good quality guns out there in a variety of price ranges.

One suggestion would be to do some serious reading about various guns, calibers, and hunting game. Then your questions will become more specific. Also, you might want to observe various guns being fired at shooting ranges to give you a sense of recoil, muzzle blast, etc. It is also a great opportunity to speak to the owners of various types and calibers of guns. I would not advise going hunting until you purchase a gun to match the game, practice with it, and become proficient.