Deer can be expected to vanish almost immediately, as they did in many areas at the onset of the Great Depression, and bears are scarce now. I personally have no problem with the idea of eating many of those animals if meat is otherwise unavailable, and they are likely to be significant pests, especially if you have a garden or domestic animals. It was supposedly acid-free and worked well. Parts and repair work are simpler that way. This really helps simplify your spare part stockpiling.
Revolvers are more reliable than automatics, especially for novices.
Stainless steel weapons are wonderful if you can afford them. No one outside the household needs to know that you are buying guns at all, and try to limit how much anyone in your household besides your partner knows about it, either. Don't screw this one up. Gun periodicals from garage sales or books from libraries are other inexpensive ways to get started with this. Once again, better way early than a week too late .