TIS, Most of the time they are out late at night or in the early morning hours. I have seen them in the early afternoon too on occassion. They usually will run away from humans. They will definitely go after small dogs so be careful. Carry pepper spray or a bat or stick like SC suggested just in case. We had a bunny that was living in our backyard (you know how they are out of control here in the hills) and one night I heard an awful sound. Sure enough it was a coyote that got the bunny. Poor bunny.

There is no where for these coyotes to go and not enough for them to eat to survive. So, they will go into the residents' backyards and eat their pets. I think they had to put 14 coyotes down a few years ago.

I am not afraid of them though.