I am pretty sure deer are over the counter, with doe tags maybe regulated. That is how MI and WI is. I hunted once in IN, don't remember how doe tags went.
Maybe here, or other forums with regioanal section with people from those areas, is probably the best place to read up. I am sure you can download a pdf from DNR on regulations and seasons. Some states have different rules about shooting times.
Getting away from people is the big thing in many areas. Closer you are to urban area more people or out of towners.
States also have different age requirement regarding if you need hunter safety. Some have exclusion base on age.
I am guessing amount of orange varies, or what must be worn.
States vary on size of buck. Which shoud all be in reg book you can download.
One tough thing is getting good info from people. Nobody likes strangers coming into their area.
The GPS maps that Cabelas sells have state maps, that show private and public land. Useful. Some forest roads show up. Thouh they may not show all the detail or how far they go.