I have never hunted ground hogs. Or coyotes for that matter, though I have killed a few. I would think that if you need really clear, precise picture of these little critters, then a scope towards the top end would be the way to go. If low light is not when one hunts ground hogs, then no need for a 50 mm. If you can go for it, look at a Zeiss Conquest. If you have the $$$$, look at a 30 mm tube, Swarovski in something like a 4-12x40 mm. If you need to stay in the $200 -$300 range, I have been impressed with a Bushnell Elite 4200 that came on a muzzle loading rifle that I bought.