RE: NEWBIE question?
Try Kidwell's "Instinctive Archery" good solid easy to follow advise that works. At least it did for me.
Shelf or rest is personal preference for hunting. Hunters seem to shoot off the shelf. All target shooters that I have met use a rest. I tried both. I found the shelf to be more enjoyable and it seems easier to get on target and release in a hunting situation.