I think that it starts on November 5 in Illinois where I hunt, but I wouldn't be too thrilled about going if it stays this warm. I always prefer a good freeze, or at the bare minimum a hard frost before shooting them. We ran rabbit dogs for years, but over the last decades have just went out and tromped the brush. You just can't beat a good rabbit hunt with a couple of good beagles.

Unfortunately, far fewer people are willing to get out and tromp the brush, dogs or not. One year none of my friends or family wanted to go soI actually just started walking up and down the gravel roads hoping to wave down anyone with a dog box on the truck to see if they wanted to go.