After learning the hard way my advice to you, if you are new to trad, is to first drop down to a 45 lb bow. I too started with a 60 lb bow and the only good it did me was to develop some bad shooting habits that were hard to correct. A 45 lb bow is plenty for deer and will accelerate your proficiency greatly. I won't talk you out of wood arrows, but if your just starting, I'd go with carbon. They're either straight and good to go, or they're broke, no betweens. I also feel they're easier to match to a bow simply because of the screw in points allows quick changes. If your heart is set on wood, (whose isn't?), contact one of the wood shaft sponsors on here and let them help you. As far as getting around experienced trad guys, go on the wisconsin traditional archers website and look up upcoming shoots. Good luck.