SG,

Get an inexpensive Crosman pump for your all around uses. 1 pump scares away dogs & deer with no harm, except for a sting. 10 pumps takes out crows, etc. A Red Ryder works great if all you want to do is scare deer.

If you choose to actually do some damage, such as long term predator control, a good rifle like Driftin' suggests is a must. Try looking at Pyramid Air http://www.pyramydair.com/ . They have both toys and tools. Spring piston air rifles require specialized air rifle scopes because of the recoil impulse. They will break cheap scopes all day long.

The benefit of having an adult sized air rifle is that you can practice every day, at very low cost, not disturb your neighbors, and the rifle has a similar weight and feel when compared to your hunting rifles.

These adult air rifles have power. I've killed possums, coons, hundreds of crows and starlings, many hundreds of barn pigeons. They are also accurate, as I have tumbled pigeons off of barns with head shots from over 50 yards away.