Hunting in general is something that can be site and season specific. So depending on your local regs. (ie. legal firearms), the time of year you're going out, and the region, it's tough to say. Part of the joy/experience of hunting will be to solve this puzzles with time in the field. However, start with this...when-the hours around sun up and sundown are the best times. This is when deer travel to and from bedding & feeding areas & feel safest. Where-focus on the areas where you've seen deer, or signs of them, bedding down and/or feeding...the edge of cornfields, acorn rich forest, etc. Finally, rifle-I'm partial to a .270 rifle, unless your regs require shotgun. Then go 12 gauge slug.

First off "WELCOME TO THE FAMILY "
Now we need a little more info about where you'll be hunting so we could help you decide what kind of weapon would be a good "fit" for you.
Really thick stuff you'd be better off with a shotgun instead of a rifle.
Anything from a .243/.300 Win Mag( little big for you probably though) will all do what you want it do do.
As for "area's" with "BIG Bucks", just go to Boone and Crockett's website and they'll have all ite info you could ever want.
Good Luck and Good Hunting !

A 30.06 is a great all around gun for deer hunting, but what kind of landscape are you going to be hunting in? If your hunting heavy brush, use a 12 gauge shotgun. With big open areas I'd use a 30.06 or a .270. At the same time, if you don't have to take far shots and have a little brush to shoot through, a 30-30 is a nice gun for deer hunting as well.

For even the biggest and Monstrous Mule Deer, hitting "MOP" is 80 percent shooter and 20 percent gun!

Back in 80, I sold my 300 Win Mag and replaced it with a 25-06 and never regretted it. I've shot more deer with my 22-250 with 55 grain soft points than all my rifles combined!

Bottom line

For both the beginner to the extreme shooter, you cannot and will not go wrong with the 25-06 which happens to be the smallest recommended cartridge for Elk!

Armchair Outfitter, what ever happened to him?

Welcome Aboard
Any of the calibers mentioned above are good for deer, but take note of Clay Cooper's advice. You don't need huge firepower for whitetail. It's more important that you get a rifle you are comfortable with and that you practice. I would suggest going a little bigger--a .243 is a good choice and Savage makes a good rifle at a cost that won't break the bank. A 3-9 x 40 scope is good. There are several good brands of optics. If you need to cut corners on costs, most of the reasonably priced scopes work pretty well. Be patient--that monster buck doesn't always show up right after the last commercial break. That's TV--real hunting usually takes a few episodes--or seasons. Have fun, and most important, hunt safe. Good luck.

bolt action 25-06 or 30-06 is always a great choice

As far as caliber you have lots of options. I use a Tikka T3 270 win and I love it. Early morning and evening are when you'll most likely see them without pushing a bush. If you want to call or rattle them out look for the three things they need...food shelter and water.

I would suggest a 270 win. That is what I have and I love it. Mine is a Tikka T3. For your first rifle be very mindful of recoil. If you develop a flinch it could take years to get rid of it. Lots of guys use a 243 and have success so a "cannon" is not necessary, especillay if deer is your only target. A 270 will drop anything in North America with proper shot placement, that's the key with anything though. I'm taking mine on a moose hunt this year.

a 270 browning