Around here, they are called groundhogs or whistle pig. Don't hear the term woodchuck very often. but according to google, it is another name for a groundhog.
As far as the name Target, I'd class them with stray cats, Target #1, Target #2, Target #3. (don't mean to offend)i'm in East Texas, about 60 miles south of Tyler. and we don't have any of them! just squirrels and rabbits!
I live in a suburban neighborhood in Baltimore County, Maryland and the daggone things are adapting like the coyotes. When I was a young man, you only saw them in the country, now you can find them just about anywhere including the urban areas.
I'm not to far from you in Texas miles.
We've always had coyotes but they are getting more into urban areas than ever before.
I'm not sure where it came from.
Maybe the fact that if you whistle real loud at them, they are known to stand up and give you a better shot.
That's the explanation I heard years ago from my uncle who had a real passion for shooting the things. He used a custom pre-'64 Model 70 in 22-250 with an old Unertl scope. No 'chuck was safe when he got that gun out.I'm not sure where it came from.
They don't live in colonies like prairie dogs but multiple holes can be found in suitable areas i.e along a railroad bed. Mostly a solitary den where the young are cast out when they are old enough.
Most things run when I whistle at them.I'm not sure where it came from.
