In which stage is success determined by the bagging limit, potentially leading to unsafe shots?

Success in the limiting-out stage is primarily determined by achieving the maximum allowable number of game animals or birds that a hunter can legally take, known as the bagging limit. During this stage, hunters may focus intensely on reaching their limits, which can lead to taking risks, such as attempting unsafe or questionable shots. The desire to fill the limit might cloud judgment and lead to situations where hunters fire at game without fully assessing the safety of the shot, potentially putting themselves, other hunters, or non-target animals at risk.

In contrast, other stages focus more on skill development or exploration of the hunt itself, where the emphasis is less on numbers and more on experience and safety. For example, the initiation stage is about learning the basics of hunting, while the mastery stage is about refining skills and promoting ethical hunting practices. The exploration stage encourages learning the environment and understanding game behavior. Thus, the nature of the limiting-out stage inherently introduces a pressure that can compromise safety, making it critical for hunters to maintain proper awareness and caution.