Start by wearing gloves.

When I was young and we lived in St. Louis in town with paved roads with gutters, we put them in the gutter and backed a VW over them to get them started. I really don't remember anything other than that about them.

Nowadays, I'd use a vise to crack them so you have ultimate control.

Somehow, the squirrels have the patience to gnaw open the nuts after removing the husks..same with hickory nuts.

If you have a concrete driveway I wouldn't try the burlap bag/run over it with the car a few times method..the husks will stain the concrete. Messy business that's for sure.
Probably find a site on google to tell you the trick to get the husks off. Might just be as simple as cutting a cross cut in the non-stem end and leaving them out in the sunshine to dry. I know the hickory husks open by themselves like chestnuts to release the nut.

Use wire cutters or cable cutters to crack the shell. Let dry a couple weeks after removing the outer husk.