Beagles are excellent hunting dogs, known for their phenomenal sense of smell and seemingly endless stamina. They were originally bred for hunting rabbits and hares, and are still commonly used for this purpose today. Beagles can easily maneuver through dense brush in order to pursue small game animals, and use their keen sense of smell to find and pursue them until their human companions can make a successful harvest. They have a natural prey drive and can be trained to hunt snowshoe hares and rabbits by even the most novice of hunters with patience and positive reinforcement. Experienced hunters will only release their beagles in areas where there are openings or shooting lanes through thickets to ensure the safety of their dogs while using firearms. It is also good practice for hunters to use bells and tracking collars while hunting with beagles to ensure that they can be easily located and retrieved if needed.

In summary, beagles are primarily used for hunting rabbits and hares due to their excellent sense of smell and natural prey drive. They are loyal, energetic, and intelligent dogs that make great hunting companions.