I am somewhere between these two with more weight placed on the method. Trophy Stage- These hunters try to shoot only the biggest game. They may travel far to find the animal they want. Shooting is less important at this stage. Method Stage- In this stage hunting has become more important. They still want to take game, even limit out. More important to them, however, is how this is done. These hunters study the habits of their game and they use special equipment such as black powder or bow and arrow.
By your definition I am in the method and sportsman stage. Have been since I started hunting for deer at 12. Don't think I will ever be in other stages. I do hold out for bigger and better deer most times however, I don't shoot ONLY the biggest game. For small game hunting which I did a little as a kid, I would say I liked to shoot anything that was an animal and moved. That was short lived after a couple seasons of shooting tweedy birds.
I personally think there's a sixth stage. It's called, "Passing the torch". In this stage the hunter rarely kills but rather watches excitedly as others do the deed. He takes great pleasure and care passing all those things learned, along the road of experience, onto up and comers. His complete satisfaction comes from seeing the smile on a kid's face. Depending on the species, I find myself somewhere between stages 3 and 6.
These stages, I believe, were first coined by Charlies Alsheimer. May want to credit him rather than simply claim them as your own.
I think it depends on the game as to what stage I'm in. Waterfowling, I'm in the Pass The Tourch or Sportmans stage. With big game there should be a "I Need The Meat" stage. Although, I like big antlers and have my share on the wall, meat in the freezer is more important. I wouldn't know how to act without a freezer full of elk and deer meat.
