About the flourescent orange: Deer and most of your critters see black and white. Blaze orange will not affect them. What affects them more is movement and large unbroken solid colors. I personally prefer what is called blaze camo. It's orange with black patterns. Cabelas sells a great blaze camo vest that will go over any other clothing. You will need a head covering also, either ball cap or stocking cap. As far as the 500 sq. inch min. a vest and cap will easily meet this especially for a guy your size.

Other guys are giving good advice about firearms. I agree with either the Savage combo in .270 or a Marlin 336. Great beginner guns. Shoot, they are good guns for anyone. Ask your fellow Miss. hunters. Probably half of them use a 30-30.