I had a near meet up with a coyote this PM. I was transplanting a few tomato plants in the main garden which is about 400ft from the house. I heard rattling of the dry leaves at the far end of the outside garden area. (I was cursing the frigging chipmunks to myself) But the noise was getting loader and nearer, so I stood up and this coyote is fast walking right past me. Less then 20ft, so I threw my heavy garden trowel right it, and yelled. I hit it in the hip, a little yelp and it booked the hell out of there. It was a nice looking coyote though had a real light coat.
Now I'm not going the let the chicks wonder around by themselves any longer. (not that they are really)
Yesterday we were gardening in the front and the chicks were bug hunting on the other side of the house. 5 minutes alone and poof they were gone, so the wife and me looked for 15 minutes in either direction for them. I found them down below of the house in the road ditch having a great time moving leaves under the black raspberry bushes. Today they were grounded to the barn area.