my dad wasnt a hunter so when i was old enough to hunt i read magazines and books on hunting. i was a boyscout so i spent a good deal of time in the woods, youll start seeing tracks,trails,signs. pick where you want to or can hunt, pull it up on google satellite try to look for an area away from roads/trails (the deeper you go the less people you will see.) find a water source. then go out scout the area looking for food sources (i do this during small game season two birds one stone) find a spot that you can see a fair distance and mark it.

I pay to have mine butchered there are several local places, as far as field dressing as long as you dont puncture any guts your good as there isnt much meat on the underside of animals. and if you want to extend your season muzzle loader is imo easier than archery to get into.