Novus:
Your predicament is understandable; I was in an identical one some years ago. There were no gunners in my family to teach me how to hunt, and I had no idea where to start.
Seeking advice, I voiced my concerns in a letter to the late Gene Hill, stating:
"With Fall quickly approaching I've begun to think about seeking out someone to teach me the art of hunting. Someone like your Judge Landis, Ruark's Old Man, or MacQuarrie's Mr. President. Have you ever heard of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)? I wish that there was an equivalent organization for retired hunters because that's where I would begin my search.
"Oh, yes, I do know several "hunters" that are my age, give or take a year or two, but I don't care to emulate them. They all seem to be in a hurry, relying too much on technology, and too little on knowledge and skill. They want to enter the woods with a back-pocket full of aces rather than playing the cards that nature deals them.
"What's a feller to do, then? How do I find a suitable teacher? I may have to resort to running one of those personal ads. In its unabridged version it would read as follows:
"WANTED
A man over sixty years of age who: knows how, and why, to hunt deer, upland birds, and waterfowl; who likes his coffee black and his steaks well-done; who likes old pick-up trucks; who smokes a pipe not because he has to, but because he enjoys it; who can identify trees and flowers and birds, and is willing to share his knowledge; who is well-read; who likes small-town diners and cafes; who can tell a story; who knows how to listen; who is satisfied with life, but always curious about what is over the next hill or around the next bend in the stream; who likes all kinds of music; who loves puppies and dogs, kittens and cats, and small children; who has an eye for pretty women, but is faithful; who likes chili and spicy foods; who likes campfires and knows how to build one; who takes as much care of his boots as he does all his other gear; who isn't afraid to talk with strangers; who, in all things, exercises moderation; who likes rain and thunderstorms; who is content to sometimes just sit and think; who hasn't lost the capacity to experience wonder; who appreciates the old and the new; who regards learning as a never-ending process; who, when practical, would rather make than buy; for whom sharing, good manners, and sportsmanship are fibers of his being; and who measures the results of each day by quality and not quantity.
"If I decide to run this I'll probably have to take out a second mortgage on the house to pay for it, but there it is."
Did I ever find this idealized, pipe-smoking sage? No, he died (too young) at age 69 in a hospital in Arizona.
So, who taught me? An acquaintance who is a physician, a man who at first glance I would have never guessed to be a hunter, but who turned out to be as passionate about the sport as am I.
Keep looking, Novus! I'm certain that you will find your mentor, too.
Good luck, and good shooting!