Groundhog hunting in places like PA where I spent most of my life has been decimated by the coyote population.
The ones that survive don't wander too far away from safety. Many serious groundhog hunters have given up hunting them.
Back in the day however there were very serious hunters who would rather that than any other type hunting.
Long range shooting, including hunting, would not have escalated to where it is today without varmit hunters paving the way.
The (fact) is that the worlds first 1000 yd benchrest club was started by groundhog hunters, and that is well documented.
Long range deer hunting in PA, or anywhere for that matter, is simply groundhog hunting a different species, while the technique and equiptment remain the same.
Those attempting the extreme distance kills, knew decades ago that the smaller cartridges don't do very well on groundhogs either.
The argument over which ones are best, is what started it all at Williamsport.