Great info, Minnesota! I've actually got a lot of what you suggested.
Boots - Danner East Ridge
Binoculars - Steiner 10x42 Predators
Pack - ALPS Outdoorz Extreme Commander X +
22 - Ruger 10/22 Takedown
Just iron sights on my 22 but that thing is fun to plink with. I just looked at the book you suggested and definitely want to check that out!
I've researched a lot over the years of wanting to hunt and started to purchase gear suggested from people. I go out into the national forests here in AZ and do overnight camps quite often. Practice survival skills, shelter building, etc. I've read a lot of bushcraft books and that kind of thing. I'm excited to get to Montana to venture out. However, my compass and map reading skills are virtually non-existent. Haha - I've struggled with that one.
-Matthew