If your state hunting laws allow it (I'm praying for you and your state, mbailey
), there is no reason an AR couldn't be a good hunting platform.
In VA, we have a restriction on big game hunting with anything .22 caliber and below, which is stupid IMO. Right across the border in WV, their only restriction is the rifle must be centerfire, which opens up anything down to a .22 Hornet. Having personally witnessed a .22 magnum take down a fairly robust 8 pointer (shot placement is king, after all), I wouldn't have any reservations about taking a typical "good shot" with a .223. Range would be more limited, of course, which may be a factor for you down there.
The accuracy potential for most well built AR's shocks most people who've never messed with them. While I've seen a good number of good shooting non-AR semi's in my lifetime, the AR raises the bar. There is TONS of info and tips on the net for making AR's more accurate.
Something like a Nosler Partition would be excellent bullet choice. Especially if you reload, there is absolutely no reason why a .223 can't offer up more than adequate results.
*edit* - I totally forgot to mention the plethora of other calibers available in the AR. While I would stay away from most, the AR10/SR25 pattern guns are chambered for .308. The .300 Blackout is another option, with the big advantage being after a barrel change, everything else(bolt, mags, etc.) in the typical 5.56/.223 AR interchanges. If I were to build a non .223 hunting AR (and money weren't really an object), I'd look directly at the Knights Armament SR-25 or the LMT MWS. Both have excellent reputations.