A rod and gun club is a great place to start!Attend their monthly meetings if you are able to and introduce yourself,any true sportsman or sportswoman will go out of their way to make you welcome and provide information as to the different elements involved in hunting.Enrolling in a hunters safety course is definitely a good idea for safety and familiarity and a good basis to begin your hunting knowledge.Read as much as you can about particular animals that you may be interested in hunting,there is a lot of very good information that can be gained through reading.Get out in the woods and cover some ground,be sure to be familiar with how to use a compass and map and or gps and go have fun,learn the woods and learn the ways of the animals that you have an interest in.Be patient with yourself it is going to take time,the great thing is that you are always learning it never ends.
As far as rifle selection get something that is fun to shoot,don't turn your self off by purchasing a gun that you don't enjoy shooting.If you speak to some people at the rod and gun club maybe you could arrange to meet them at the range and they would allow you to shoot some of their rifles.As you become more and more comfortable with a rifle you can work your way up to heavier calibers if desired.
Good luck to you!It's a great thing to participate in,I am sure you will meet some really fine people!