You're right of course. There is indeed much, much more to hunting than reading, shooting, and stealth. That doesn't mean he's forbidden from trying without a mentor.
There was no-one in my family that hunted when I grew up.
I lobbied for a BB gun for Christmas and got one. I never looked back.
I've never had formal hunting training, though I might have been more successful earlier if I had.
45+ years of experience has taught me a lot. Joining the hunting/shooting community taught me more.
To date, I've taken more rabbit, squirrel, ground-hog, starlings...than I can remember. I've taken dozens and dozens of deer.
I still want to do a wild boar hunt, but I digress.
Please don't discourage the guy. It was stated up thread. Depending on his age, the DNR Hunters Education course could be required anyway.
Just because he may not be able to find a mentor is NOT a reason to forgo the whole idea.
here and agree with Mgderf. All of the above advice is few great.. But don't think of it like a checklist you have to accomplish before you hunt. I started last year and I've fallen in love. I wish I had access to some mentorship... but I've learned quite a lot just going out and hunting squirrel and rabbit. The more it sticks, the more interested I am to read articles or forums. 
