Around here in North-East Indiana, I used to set and wait on groundhogs to show them selves. A good spot would have a half dozen holes to watch ranging from 100 yards out to 300 yards. the holes where in the open and you just waited them out. Now they do not build their holes in the open, most are in heavy fence rows , along woods line, drainage ditch, or creek bottoms. They do not venture very far from their "home". If they do go vary far from their hole, they are on a dead run to feeding and return, even if they do not detect anyone. I used to see big half circles in a bean field where they just mow every thing down with in a 50 foot radius. Now it is a stalking game for me. If they see you before you see them, it is a mad rush for their hole. In the past all you had to do was set down and wait. Within 15 minutes or so they would poke their head up to see where you are. I just walked around to a different angle, set-up and blam. Now they will not come out of their hole at all or you can not see them because they are in such thick brush. I have to walk slow and deliberate watching all around, hope I get a shot before they see me. Most of the shooting is off hand, so I carry a walking stick I use for a steady. I used to have a Bi-pod attached so I could set and wait them out. I am not sure if it is hunting pressure that changed their habits or coyotes that changed them. We used to have no coyotes here at all, but they are every where now. The 221 FireBall in a Contender with 23" barrel has become my favorite carrying rifle for the varmints. Most shots are under 100 yards so it does a fine job on them and the rifle is light enough to carry all day with out feeling like lead after a couple of hours. Their habits have changed, so I changed too.
