I've tagged along on hunts before but have never actually shot (no licenses, etc) but it was really fun. There's a decent range down here in Athens that lets you rent a variety of different firearms (The Firing Lane). Dunno if that's closer or further than other places for you. Definitely take the hunter safety/gun safety course... Guns don't kill people... people with guns do. Picking up a gun and not being comfortable with it is just as dangerous as pointing it at someone's head... if you're nervous, accidents are 100% more likely.