I'm an explorer - not a bounty hunter. I've mapped out over a hundred unknown systems and been jumped ... well over a dozen times.
A few tips: Pirates have friends. Their friends often have stations. If you shoot someone's friend - they are liable to try and blow your head off and sure as hell won't let you dock at their "independent" station.
I've docked at maybe 12 different "independent" stations, after having dodged interdictions on the way there. I avoid shooting the locals, even if they are jerks trying to blow me up. Simply put, I like accessing the stations and even they won't try and shoot you at the station.
Be careful who you pick on and get the hell out of those systems after a fight. Go a couple jumps away before trying to dock up. I *HAVE* blown up a few who've jumped me and, as an explorer, I tend to be "way the hell out there" so play it smart and "change neighborhoods" when you shoot someone.