not a dumb question, it is best you asked before something took place
a friend of mine shot his deer, after it turned its head to lick its shoulder, through the jugular...you would think this would be a done deal...after 600 yards of tracking, we found the deer the next day, still bleeding, barely alive
as others have stated, bullet shock drops the animal, as well as spine hits
aim just above the "point" of the shoulder when the deer is broadside, and for the opposite shoulder when quartering away...two best ethical shots you can take
good luck!!!