As far as clothing, it could be 60 degrees or 20 degrees when you hunt. Think layers. It will rain or snow so get a rain layer too. Gore tex, camo parkas, etc are nice but very expensive. You can get by with a lightweight camo outer layer that's big enough to wear other clothing underneath. Wear safety orange.

Ammunition, shoot a box from two or three different companies. Some guns will shoot and ammunition from maker A better than from maker B.

Scents, calls...don't bother. Wash your clothing in baking soda and dry outside. Store outside or sealed in a plastic tote lined with pine and dry leaves. Shower with unscented soap and use unscented antiperspirant.

Tips, tricks, other thing...it sounds like you have a mentor. Follow their advice. On the stand, sit as still as possible. Listen as hard as you watch. You will learn to hear deer vs squirrels, birds, etc often long before you see them. Main tip...be safe. Be 110% sure of your target and what's in back of it before you take the shot.

After the kill, take care of it. Get the guts out right away. Get the hide off and the carcass cooled as soon as you can. If you can, learn how to process your own deer. To me, it's an important part of the whole experience.

1. Clothing: Keep yourself dry, comfortable and silent. Don't worry too much about scent control (carbon and silver are over rated). Keep your clothes clean and away from smells that will give you away (ie your garage, kitchen, dogs etc...)
2. Ammo: Use a quality round that shoots well from your gun. Like allegnmtn said, shoot several rounds until you find one that performs best.
3. Tips: Early and late in the season, hunt the food. The rut takes a lot of energy both for the guys and gals. They bulk up for it in Sept/Oct then try and recover from it in Dec/Jan. When moving, only move as quick as you can be quiet. Take your time, and check every shape in sight. You'll be surprised how a deer's ear can materialize in a thicket, suddenly revealing their entire well-camoflauged body. My dad told me years ago "for every deer you see, ten saw you." They're truly an amazing animal whose senses are orders of magnitude beyond ours.
4. Scents/calls: This is a topic of much debate. If used correctly scents and calls can be a great asset to a deer hunter. The problem is (at least here in PA), so many guys use them (incorrectly I might add), that deer are often turned off to them. You may not want to agressively call, but I'll NEVER enter the deer woods without my grunt tube. It's brought in the two biggest bucks of my life.
5. Secret knowledge: There are no deer in my neck of the woods. Stay away ;)
6. Treat that meat as if it were gold. Keep it clean as possible, get it cooled and age it properly if you can. It's best to cut a deer after rigor mortis. Since this is your first year, processing your own kill may be a bit much. Search out a butcher that does small scale work, you don't want your meat run through a garage-style assembly line. If possible, ask him to age it before cutting.

Good luck, and most of all, be safe.

I agree with allegnmtn about not worrying about cover scents. I just kick up some dirt, get some good fresh dark dirt, and rub it around on my pants legs. I don't know if it works better or worse than the store bought stuff but I know I still get meat every year and I don't waste my money on pee in a bottle.

Since you are 30 years old you will need to take the WV Hunter Ed course. Check with the DNR , their web site is in the regulations. We will be starting spring classes anytime now. Don't wait till fall to get into a class. The seasoned hunter that you are going with will know the ins and outs that you need to know and hopefully he will share them with you and show you the "ropes". If you have any questions about the law, please call your local Natural Resources Police Officer and get the correct answer, don't take the guy on the street's advice.

Now is a good time to find hunting gear on sale as Deer Season is over in much of the country. It is also a good time to get in the woods and scout. Find out where the deer are. It may not reflect where they are in the early season next year, but where they will be at the end of the season is very useful info for late season hunts. Get a compass and a GPS and learn to use them. Good Luck!

Glad you are finally getting into this great sport.

1. I recommend for a new hunter buying 2 sets of hunting clothes, a set for the earlier warmer season, and an outer layer for colder weather. If you are trying to keep it affordable, you might just buy a light jacket & pants that you can wear in the early season, and then layer under with some long underwear and sweatshirt/pants you already own the winter. Hunting clothing can get expensive, I have found it to be worth every penny but in my first years I bought cheap clothing and layered under. Also, I recommend keeping your hunting clothing in a plastic bin and washing with scent free detergent. Lots of youtube videos out there on keeping your clothes scent free.

2. 100 grain should do the trick.

3. As far as tips go, be constantly aware. Deer can silently appear and disappear and if you aren't paying attention you could miss an opportunity. Also, take your time on the shot. Even the most experienced hunters get nervous when a nice deer walks out. Hunt the wind, make sure your wind is blowing in your face or towards an area you think the deer are less likely to come from.

4. I recommend using calls during the "right" times of the year. Once the deer begin feeling frisky (here in Oklahoma that is late October), rattling and grunting start to get responses. Its up to you, I will rattle every hour or so if there isn't much action happening. Once you rattle, you need to be ready because bucks can come flying in looking for a fight. I only use my grunt call when I can see the deer and he is going the wrong direction. I haven't had many responses to blind grunting.

6. After the kill, field dress the animal. Easiest if you can hang them up, but doable on the ground. Watch a few youtube videos before your do your first or have someone show you how to do it on your first deer. Then, either take it to a processor or someone who can process the meat. If you do not plan on eating, be sure to donate the meat.