A pump gun with wood and blued steel is what many of us grew up on. The Mossberg 500 in 20 gauge has a 3 inch chamber, a 24 inch barrel, a five-round capacity and a dual comb wood stock.

The dual comb stock is designed to fit with or without a scope, which is handy if you want to use the gun for deer with a slug barrel or birds with a bead. The 20 gauge gives gentler recoil than a 12, so younger hunters or smaller frames can shoot it comfortably. The 24 inch barrel moves quickly in thick cover. Spend an afternoon at the range before the season so you know exactly where it shoots.

Mossberg pumps have been a farm and field staple for decades, and parts and accessories are easy to find. For North Carolina hunters, the 20 gauge handles squirrels, rabbits, doves and, with the right slug and barrel, deer where shotguns are required.

Pumps are simple and forgiving, and they run with almost any shell. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer, where the background check is completed at pickup.