If I'm ever going to learn to hunt, I'd better learn to shoot. I've been wanting to learn for many years, but with my lack of gun safety education and training, I've held it off. I've had a few chances to just fire a gun in someone's backyard, but it didn't feel right.

I figured the proper way to go about it at my age is this:
1. Education - learn safety, proper gun care, and the state laws. Know any good books to start with?
2. Training - practice shooting with an instructor, if possible. It is customary for gun classes to supply a novice with a weapon for practice and education, or do I have to bring my own?
3. Purchasing (if I get that far) - figuring out which model would be best for someone of my build (female, 5'5", 115 lbs., is that even a factor?), and what I'd be using it for. What would be an "entry-level" model?

What do you think? Am I going about it in the wrong order?