"The final or mellowing-out phase is not reached by many before the age of 40 and only after many years of hunting. That is when satisfaction comes from the whole hunting experience and the pace is much more leisurely and relaxed. It's the time when a hunter might pick up the video recorder or camera, while others do the shooting. The whole experience is one of satisfaction."
According to the "5 Stage" program, I am suppose to be in the "5th" stage. However, the stage does not yet apply to me.
This season will be my 40th bowhunting season for deer. I have experienced much satisfaction from the years of bowhunting, but my "pace" is not leisurely. I still prepare hard and hunt hard. In some degree, I am constantly dabbling in the bowhunting side of archery, from season to season. I started preparing for this season in mid spring.
I am confident about my skills, but I do not say I am relaxed. The term "relaxed" sort of rings as though I would have to be nonchalant and not as interested as I used to be. I have the same enthusiasm that I did 40 years ago. I just no longer experience the confusion and frustration stage.
I will and have cut my hunt time short to go help track another shooter's deer, but I'll be damned if I will give up my hunting time to chase and video or photograph others while they hunt and do the shooting.
I believe the "5 Stages" was meant to apply generally to the average hunter that hunts with a firearm. I realized a long time ago that serious bowhunters are a different breed.