The area I work and regularly Scout in has had increasing numbers of coyotes and resulting conflicts with them. (Mostly small dogs being attacked.) A few years ago, the city put up Coyote warning signs in the local ravine. My son, niece, nephew, and Beaver Scouts got a little freaked out about it, but with kids around, there's almost no chance of seeing wild-er life. We throw bear bells on our packs when we're in the area now. Don't know if they work or not, but I still have yet to see a coyote even though the news reports of them haven't stopped.

I've heard them when hiking and camping in other areas but, again, have yet to see one. Good sanitation and hygene practices probably go a long way to keeping them from being too interested in us.