Red Hawk welcome to the wonderful world of bowhunting. Of couse a head shot should NEVER be taken ever on large game animals. Only broadside or quartering away shots only. I noticed your from California, I don' t know about out there but here in PA they have a bowhunter education couse you can take voluntarily. In fact I just completed it this past weekend. I am not new to bowhunting, been hunting with a bow for about 10 years I just wanted to improve myself and be prepared for when I go to other states to hunt that require you have a bowhunter certification to get a license. Go take one of those courses, they are very informative and are especially geared towards new hunters. The PA course is a very affordable $18.