RE: what is wrong with the coyotes this year?
I have found with coyotes if the population gets high in an area, and they do not get hunted or trapped at all, they quickly learn not to be afraid of people. They are very smart, and after a couple dozen run ins with people and nothing at all happens, they start losing their fear.
Start predator hunting and calling them in and you'll be amazed at how quickly they start becoming a rarer sight.