Many people claim that squirrel hunting is the lazy hunters sport, but I do not think so. It is important to do some preseason scouting to have a successful season. For the upcoming season, check out the hickory trees in the woods you have chosen to hunt. In some places in Randolph County, shellbark hickory nuts are just beginning to fall. This is the bushytails’ favorite food. Look for fresh cuttings around any hickory tree that appear to have many nuts. One of my favorite ways to find squirrels is to get into the woods at the crack of dawn, sit close to a hickory tree and listen. If there are any squirrels in the area, they will usually start stirring within 30 minutes, usually much sooner. When they come out, they often present themselves as an easy target. The common squirrels in West Virginia are the eastern gray and the much larger red fox squirrel. The gray squirrel usually prefers dense woods, and the fox squirrel prefers open woods with large trees.