I admit, when I started this post I was really hopeful that there was some creative humane way to scare coyotes off that I hadn't thought of. Being a huge wildlife and nature lover, I couldn't bring myself to shoot them even if it was legal for me. But, I'm quickly becoming tired of continually trying to chase them off and I am realizing that they really do have this area figured out and are not safely coexisting anymore.
They have learned that many people are gone during the week days. We didn't see them at all over the weekend, but at 2:00pm today one was back in my yard (I'm a stay at home mom with three young kids right now, which is why I'm here to see them while all my neighbors are gone). They really do seem too used to people for comfort. I threw a frisbee at this one today, but he just stared at it as it landed in front of him. When I charged full force screaming and waving another frisbee, he took off, but I really don't have the time or energy to keep up with this. I plan to discuss it with our county animal control later this week. In the mean time, my chickens are always locked up in hardware cloth and my kids are never out without me standing guard.
I do appreciate all the suggestions on this thread, because I do completely understand how many feel driven to eliminate them...my anger and frustration has grown so much in the past few weeks!