Go to a Hunter Education course and learn the basics, your teacher will be glad to answer all your questions and can help you a lot.
Get a good rifle- It does not matter whether scoped or not but have a good all around rifle something from a .22 to a .243 is ideal for small game and predators.
When you feel comfertable with a gun and can shoot a pie plate at a hundered yards then go for a big game hunt.
PS. If your wife was in the army ask her about the AQT targets and practice on those.
They are very helpfull.
Glad you are a hunter now!