hey bud,
welcome to the world of hunting, you're definitely in for an awesome ride! im only 20 so im a young hunter myself, but here's a few things i've learned over the years....the best way to get started is experience, once your confident with your gun and everything, get in the woods and experience hunting in its truest form...the jitters you'll get when you see that first deer, well they'll still be there 30 years from now so don't think thats a first time thing!!! As far as a gun, i'm with the guys/girls on the muzzleloader, but as long as you have the proper instruction and someone to teach you, you'll be fine with anything you like...scent control stuff does work, i guarantee you that and could give you a could story about how well it works from my opening weekend hunt, but you dont have to go by scent-lok stuff from head to toe...just get a 5.00 bottle of scent away spary and you're set...you definitely don't have to use scent away spray if you watch the wind and all that, but it definitely helps...as far as field dressing, you can find a lot of info on here i'm sure or on the web elsewhere where people can help you out with that, once again its another thing where the more expereince you get the better you will become

best of luck and happy hunting man!!