cal516,

Welcome to Huntingnet and to hunting! It is kind of late to be scouting around for huntable land for this season. You'll push the deer and tick off other hunters out there. Since you have an experienced friend, I would rely on him this season for locations. As soon as hunting season is over, you can really pour it on as far as looking for your own hunting areas.

There are a number of discrete skills incorporatd by most hunters. Examples include learning how to walk quietly, how to be still, learning what signs to look for in an area, understanding your quary during the season you are in, judging distance. proper marksmanship & weapon maintenance, knowing how to dress your deer when you get it down, etc. Rather than getting overwhelmed by seeing hunting as as the total of so many skills, it may be easier for you to identify the various component skills, checking off the ones you already have down, and working on the others one by one.

This site is a great resource and there are a ton of really experienced hunters here who will help you get up to speed. Enjoy!

-- FLIX