I agree. Sounds like a win/win.Good trade.
Go for it.
We had 4 beagles when I was a child. I miss it. Now I have a fiest that it purely a sight hunter.I grew up hunting with Beagles, More fun than any hunting I have ever done in my life. Just love to watch the dogs and listen to them. Wish like hell I had a pen full of them now. You are a very lucky man sir.
Running a dog year round definitely makes them a better hunter.My nephew and I co-own a small pack of beagles . We had 8 and had a litter of 6 puppies in Aug. . We kept 2 of the puppies and sold the others . He also sold 3 of our older male dogs to make room for the puppies , I think we might regret that when the females come into heat in Dec. . We will be down to either 2 male dogs or 3 female dogs until they come out of heat . We run our dogs all year long except when the temperature & humidity is just to high . I bought a 120 acre cutover 2 years ago and it is full of rabbits . I just built my house on it and moved into it in August . All I have to do now is walk out the door . I still don't have any dogs here , still need to build some kennels or I would have took 2 of those 3 year old broke dogs that he sold . Nothing like a rabbit beagle or a bird dog when it comes to small game hunting . I love hearing the beagles on a hot chase and watching a bird dog work .
So you had a neighborhood hunting dog.I have rabbits everywhere right now. Shooting 'em at night is legal in Texas as is off a vehicle, no dogs necessary, but I only do that if I want some fried rabbit for dinner. I was using my tractor and box blade last night on our road and came across a rabbit as night was setting in. He only hopped a few yards as I approached him. He seemed undisturbed by the noise. BUT, even if I'd had my .22, I'd have left him alone. He hangs out in the front yard at night along with his buddies, has sorta become a pet.
I've hunted with dogs and it's a very fun thing to do. I sorta would like a Beagle, but the wife says if I get one, she gets a YAM. I hate YAMS...(yappy arsed mutt). She's talking Chihuahua, which I hate the most. We've already got cats, don't need no lap dogs. But, heck, my Lab isn't a rabbit dog, but she's a great retriever. I don't duck hunt anymore, too infirm, but I still go dove hunting each season. She saves me a lot of walking and finds the birds that fall in heavy cover. I just remember good times hunting rabbits with a neighbor's beagle when I was a kid. Just walk out a ways from the house and fire a shot and he'd come running ready for the chase. He was a good dog. Being a life long duck hunter until this bone marrow cancer got me last couple of years, I really have an affection for Labs.
Sorry for the ramble, but beagles are just SO cool.