On lead bullets, judges rule against environmentalists

[NickB79]

44. What are you hunting with, gold bullets?

But seriously, you can get into hunting for under $500 total (gun, ammo, scope, clothing, misc. equipment, license, etc) if you realize you don't need the newest, shiniest gadgets on the market.

A single-shot Rossi or NEF rifle, mil-surp. Mosin Nagant, or single-shot shotgun will set you back less than $200. If you step up to a pump-action shotgun, you can get a Mossberg 2-barrel combo that will allow you to hunt both waterfowl and deer for under $300. A basic 4X or 3-9X scope and a few boxes of generic softpoint ammo will set you back another $100.

And the great thing is that, once you buy the hardware, it lasts for years. The guns should last generations if well-cared for.

The butchers around here charge a couple dollars a pound for processing a deer, and if you are moderately skilled with a knife you can do the butchering in your garage or backyard. You can then turn steak into hamburger with a decent food processor if you feel like it: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-grind-your-own-meat-in-134272

Me? I like a more relaxed hunting experience, where I can stroll through the woods on nice days, so I hunt small game with a $100 pellet rifle from Walmart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ruger-Blackhawk-Elite/27678724



Amazingly accurate and surprisingly lethal on rabbits and squirrel out to 40 yards with headshots, ammo is everywhere and costs under $10/500 pellets. With a 6-mo hunting season and very generous bag limits, you can bag a lot of meat for not much money.