I'm late to the game but, I'd have to say it must be determined on an individual basis, with the two most important factors being the physical condition of the individual and the type hunting being done.
When I get to the point that I can't recover when I stumble (and we all stumble) and often fall down I should take the guns used into consideration. Upland gunning, where a lot of walking is required, is probably toughest, with some kinds of duck hunting being next.
OTOH, when one can go to a dove shoot, set up everything in ease, take a seat and pull the gun out of the slip, and stay right there and shoot a limit, the nicest gun one owns wouldn't be in jeopardy. Wading into and out of a tanglefoot beaver pond, drifting creeks and rivers, sea duck hunting in the ocean ....... these are other places the gem of the safe might shouldn't be.
But, when it's all said and done I will probably be as hardheaded about my guns as my bride says I am about everything else, and use what I want to use until they, and their owner, are all used up. I didn't buy a single one of them to pamper.
