My advice would be to try and find a seasoned hunter willing to show you the ropes a little bit to hunt with if possible. you can take in alot theses days via the web but not like someone showing you in person or during the actual act of hunting. Also keep youe expectations real in the beginning and for the type of area you are hunting. It would be so easy for someone getting started out to turn on the tv and measure themselves next to what you see them shooting. A trophy is in the eye of the beholder and should always be that way. Not only that we as what I refer to as us normal hunters don't have to cross a 10' high fence to get to our stand in the morning. Good luck to you this season and the many to come.