Aaron - this question really doesn't have as muchto do with your status as a beginner, but moreso your preferred hunting methods. Both ways are fairly simple, and I wouldn't label one any "harder" than the other.

If you take the shotgun, you're mobile - and free to cover lots of ground and call like a maniac. Typically, this mode of turkey hunting is exciting if you get the hang of it - but if you're not a great caller, and not careful - you'll likely scare away 10x more birds than you'll ever call in. There are literally days where I've broadcast calls and glassed several thousand acres in one day.Also, if you're not careful, you run the risk of locking up all the mature birds in the area (callshy). If you're a true beginner, self-teaching at every turn in the road, your odds of success will be pretty close to zero at first. You'll never get bored, I guarantee it. When I take young guys out, this is how we do it, b/c they seem to really enjoy the locating, shocking, glassing and non-stop action.

However, if you bowhunt - you're married to the blind. That's not always a "bad" thing, especially if you're relegated to one small farm or geographic area.Just by virtue of the lack of mobility - the aggressiveness of the calling will tend to be more toned down, more subtle. It's a much slower-paced brand of hunting, but is highly effective. To me, sitting in a blind is mind-numbing.

In my honest opinion, if you just want to "get a turkey" - go sit in a blind all day in a known strut zone - and never make a single call. Take gun or bow - it doesn't matter - and shoot what comes along and stops to check out your deke. However, if you want to have a little fun and try to work some birds, take the shotty, walk around, glass some fields, start learning to use the land formations to your advantage, and enjoy yourself.