Get Easton's tuning guide (http://www.eastonarchery.com/). It's a tremendous resource for just a few bucks.

Don't get overbowed or overdrawn.

Go to a pro shop to get set up right (your first bow is not something to buy from a catalog unless you like learning the VERY hard way!).

Use a wrist strap so you don't grip the bow. That caused me a LOT of grief and a few missed elk!

Join a local archery club. As long as you avoid the blowhard know-it-all with a bunch of ignorant biases (there's one in every club), you'll find some good folks who can watch you shoot, critique your form, give you hunting and tuning tips, etc.

Never trust a bow under 40 (inches).