Coyotes? I see them in the neighborhood when walking the dog, or on the bike path down by the harbor. I hear the pack's chorus when I step outside to get the morning paper. Sometimes I don't even have a sheath knife, only a walking stick, to fend them off. A walking stick, BTW, is a very effective weapon.

On one of my first hikes many years ago, I found mountain lion tracks covering mine as I retraced my steps on the descent. I have never had an incident, or any problems whatever. They do happen, but they are pretty rare. There are far more likely dangers out there in the woods and mountains.