Tink,
You got some great advice from some of this forum's best.
Now that the both of you completed the hunter safety course, time to practice up.
Just to repeat; safety first !
Head out to the shotgun range; start by shooting some trap, then skeet and finally shoot some 5 stand.
IMO - each sport requires increasingly difficult skills.
The more time you put in at the range, the more you are likely to be successful when the opportunities present themselves in the field.
Like fishing - nothing beats catching fish !
Have fun and good hunting..........................