The diner was busy and full of fellows talking about deer hunting and their favorite hunting rifles and the rifles that they had to start out with back in the day.

One fellow started to talk about making a lifelong investment and the price of rifles. He was going to buy a rifle for his boy and let him grow into it.

I put my spoon of chili down and I caught sight of his boy, a slight lad of 11 or 12 who was excited to be with the men of his family on his first hunting exploration as an equal at the lunch table.

The discussion went on to the first sporting arms that they had tried out as youth, none that would be considered a deer hunting classic in this day. Talk about WWII military conversions, “punkin” balls out of old shotguns, and other hand-me-downs made me think this lad is not going to have a pleasant experience.

I thought of my first days of hunting and how I had the same experiences as that lad was about to have with his men folk. Years later, I thought about my greatest hunting investments and the numerous rifles and calibers that I experimented with over time.

I did come to some conclusions — the best life long hunting investment you can make is in your son or daughter. Mentor them right with all the knowledge and ethics that you can share about the hunting experience. Talk about safety, making a clean shot and respect for your game.

Along with all of these considerations, make sure that you start your youth out with a safe and proper-fitting firearm.

There is quite a difference between a 200-pound adult male or a smaller framed woman and even more so with a 12-year-old youth. Each rifle is made with a certain purpose and fits each person differently.

The stocks of rifles fit differently on each person as well as the barrel length. My favorite rifle to carry is a Remington 700 short action 7mm-08. It fits me well and it pulls up naturally when I want to aim and fire at a target.

It is an effective rifle for me to hunt deer with in Pennsylvania. I have 7mm’s, .270s, 30-06, and all kinds of other rifles, but it is a favorite.

A gunsmith friend once told me, find a rifle that you like and learn to use it effectively. Try it with your hunting coat on and in different positions in hunting situations and you will find a lifelong hunting investment.

What is the perfect rifle and caliber? It all depends on your situation in life and what you can work with in capital.

I would start a young or new hunter out with a sound rifle that fits them in length and comfort. Dozens of models are made in youth or women sizes. The resale value is always sound as every year a new hunter comes along looking for that kind of rifle.

For an investment of $300 to $400, you can have the perfect-fitting rifle. Later in their hunting career, they can choose a rifle that they truly feel is best for them.

Once the rifle model is chosen, you will need to consider the caliber and perhaps the optics. Remember to make a sound investment and not a junk experience or overpriced choice.

With a young hunter or smaller framed person, I prefer the .243, 7mm-08, .308 or .270 calibers in a lighter bullet between 120 to 140 grains in weight. Too much foot poundage kick will turn off a new hunter quickly.

Ammunition for the more common calibers in a light load will save you money on the practice range as well. Don’t be one of those hunters who have the same box of shells for 10 years. That means one thing to me, he doesn’t shoot much, he’s cheap and he isn’t going to be a good mentor for a youngster.

The only way that you get to know your sporting arm is through shooting practice in a safe environment of a range setting. Practice loading and unloading the rifle safely with the muzzle down range and especially become acquainted with the safety on your rifle.

Confidence is built up with repetition and practice with your sporting arm and when you get to know it, you will be comfortable handling it safely.

Practice shooting your hunting ammo and learn how it recoils, so you aren’t afraid to fire it. Young shoulders bruise easily and pain is a definite turn-off for any future adventures in the outdoors.

Last but not least, talk to your new hunters about shot placement. There is no place for making a poor shot and wounding an animal. The best shot I can make is always behind the shoulder in the heart or lung areas; this will be a clean hit and the deer expires quickly.

Use the entire experience as a learning tool for the new hunter. They need to learn the field dressing, recovery and tagging of the deer.

If they have confidence by participating with you, they will be a better sportsman for it. If you take the entire experience from purchasing the perfect rifle to making your first harvest, you will have made a lifelong hunting investment in a special new partner to share your experiences with.

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.