Officially confused on choosing my first and maybe the only one for a long long time.

I really think that as an inexperienced gun owner and hunter that the OP should not be buying an SKS. A bolt action rifle would be far more accurate and safer for hunting and even target shooting. I'm in the same boat as the OP getting my PAL and Core this year. I have been practicing with my .22 quite a bit and went grouse hunting this fall with it. That was an eye opener, much more difficult to shoot at a wild animal then paper targets. I would take a good year to practice up before heading out, you owe it to the animal you will be hunting.
 
What do you consider small game? That includes grouse, coyotes, and turkey.

My advice for deer anyways, get a mosin nagant (less than $200) then spend as much as you can on binoculars, they will greatly enhance your hunting experience.
 
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