Finding a mentor would be a big help. Although you can get a lot of good information from a local pro shop, they are basically in it to sell you stuff. I have a buddy who procrastinated all summer, after drawing an archery deer license; and finally decided to get outfitted on October 13th for a three month season that started on October 1st. We got him outfitted with a Fred Bear Instinct (on sale now that the redesigned 08's are out) and all the accessories. After a little tuning and sighting in, he is shooting so well he is damaging nocks and fletching at 20 yards. Not bad for starting from scratch only three weeks ago.