Hunt as hard as you can as long as you can, then get smarter. Take a son or grandson to do the heavy lifting. They will not mind and will cherish the time with you years later. Besides as you know the real beauty of hunting is not killing but instead watching the dogs, birds, other hunters and the world we live in. Gauge does not matter.

I remember the last Black duck my maternal grandfather killed, when he was 88. He had taught himself to crossfire because his right eye sight was gone. The shot was about 35 yards and the duck hit the water stone dead. He held that duck for a long time and stroked the feathers softly. I think he was telling the duck he would soon be joining him in the next world. God willing I will be able to do the same when I reach 88. He talked about his father and his grandfather, about hunting and just normal everyday things from his youth. Few ducks flew that morning but it is still one of my best days duck hunting ever.