You can do it ! Trying a chicken first is a great idea !! Then, the turkey will just be bigger! I would suggest only lightly salting the bird, and make sure you get the giblets ( usually the gizard, heart, and liver ) out of the bird, These will be in the cavities at the neck and the bottom of the bird. Cooking bags are good! They keep the flavor and the moisture in the meat. My son is one of the best cooks around here. You will do just fine, and what a lucky Mom.