Not groundhogs as per se, but I have hunted other marmots (rock chucks) all through the Rockies most of my life. A different habitat than groundhogs usually, but there was a time when young that I spot and stalked them with just about any firearm from 22 rimfire's to 30-30's. In those vintage days few people hunted them or went to the extra effort by hiking or on horseback up tall mountains to get in their habitat just for them, so they were more approachable. I hunted them mostly near/above tree line in alpine and arctic habitats, my favorite habitats, but I imagine in some places groundhogs could be seen/shot about as far away as the RC's normally are in those lofty places. I remember a couple of good spots in ID and NV where the habitat was closer to where GH's roam, but the shots were still long. Hence, my RC firearms of choice became long range rigs more often than not (rifle and specialty handgun), and shot in windy conditions more often than not. So flat shooting/fast bullets that will buck the wind and carry far dictated the firearms, and many of mine were wildcats. However, I did have fairly good success as a young man before I got into the wildcats with 22 Varminter's, 220 Swifts, 243's, 270's, etc as well. Just couldn't reach the longest shots with them. While I also enjoyed a lifetime of hunting the smaller diggers in crop/CRP fields and meadows, the RC's were always my favorite diggers. So I do miss going out for them, and being in there habitats. My last hunt for them was about 2003 or 4 in Utah.
