Shot a limit of squirrels this morning....4 greys/2 fox....squirrels on our mountain property...unlike our farm...have always been wild as hell....except during deer season where they seem to run over you.....I always thought they must know you're not after them when you're wearing orange....lol

If they are more acclimated to coyotes now....and interested in self preservation.....wouldn't they be more likely to go up the first tree?
Running wouldn't seem to be the answer

I always thought the farther away they were from their den tree, the more likely they are to run a fair piece....back towards it.

You may be encountering squirrels that are a considerable distance from their home....with the poor mast crop this year. Hope all is well.