Welcome to the forum, there are a couple of guys on here from Oregon that I am sure will be around to help you out. 

As far as low cost meat, venison or deer meat really isn't that low cost by the time you figure in all the cost that are associated with it.  But the enjoyment factor trumps the cost of it every time.  The 30-30 is a fine old rifle and round.  It has probably killed more deer than just about any other round out there and as long as you know the cartridges limits it works quite well.

Now being with out transportation can be a large hindrance in hunting.  As for your friends, do they like to camp or enjoy the woods.  That would be one way to get them to help you out.  As far as getting a deer out of the woods after you harvest one you can always bone it out and pack all the meat out in a backpack.  A deer really isn't that large of a animal to do that to.  Now if you take up hunting elk that is a different story.  A deer you can do on one pack.  A elk will take at least four trips and all of them will be heavy. 

Welcome to BGH!

Transportation is a big cost. Living in Portland doesn't help with that. If you camp out you'll need some kind of shelter unless you have a tarp and know how to make a Whelen Shelter. Shelter's can also be made from material on site but you need to know how and not a lot of people seem to anymore. You'll need practice ammo and a place to shoot, involves more transportation. Then if you do get a deer, cutting it up is not a big thing but, you'll need wrapping paper and I pack everything in freeaer bags first then wrap. When you are out hunting, you'll need food but you'd need food at home too. I find it cost's me more to eat when I'm camping that when I'm home. Problem is I always either don't bring enough or don't bring any at all. That's another trip to a store somewhere and you buy what they have and pay what they ask.

With that said, it is possible to hunt darn near free other than tags and permits. But you'll need a friend that lives out of town where you can hunt. Sleep at his.her place aqnd hunt out the back door. I have done that. Time you get the meat in and boned and butchered, you'll get somewhere between 40# and 60# of meat, if I remember blacktails right. Better than store bought stuff but not much if any cheaper. 

Transportation is going to be the biggest cost.  Between a couple of scouting trips and then the actual hunting trip you are going to have to figure 3 or 4 tanks of fuel.  Then comes food.  Granted you need to eat weather you are hunting or not but it always seams that you get a little bit extravagant when you head out into the woods and you buy things that you usually do not.  Then there is the equipment.  Yes it is usually a one time thing but you will always want to upgrade to a newer and better part.  For a first time hunter you could possibly pick up a rifle for around $150.00, a nice pair of binoculars for $100.00, hunting clothing and boots $150-$250, sleeping bag and a tent if you don't already have them $200+, camp stove and other cooking needs $100+, and other associated gear.  So you may be into it close to $1000.00 just to start out depending on what you have on hand and are willing to do with or without. 

As for the meat you really don't need a large freezer.  I have put a whole deer into the freezer above my refrigerator with quite a bit more room left over. 

Sometimes I hate to even think what I have spent on hunting over the last 40 or so years, but then it has all been worth evey penny that I have spent. 

Welcome to the forum!! 

When it comes to a cheaper rifle you probably will have to look around for a good used deal but not always what you really want. If you really want the Marlin you might find a deal on a used one or just have to pay up.

As far as success it just depends on teh area you are hunting and how much preperation you put into it. But the kill alone is not what keeps all of us going out year after year but the enjoyment of the hunt itself and the challenges involved.

Plus since your getting a .22 first you can look into some good small game hunting as well that will usually give you a lot more opportunities.

Good luck with your quest.

For a cheaper rifle you just need to watch the sale adds to see if one pops up.  I bought a .257 Roberts a couple of years ago for that $150.00 that I mentioned and I also picked up a Marlin .30-30 for $130.00 a couple of years before that, and yes they are used.  They are out there but you need to be there when they are.  Watch the newspapers if they alow firearms sales or internet sales in your area and you might find one.