We live in Southern California , yes the most liberal and most confusing state in the nation. Me and my wife and 2 year old were walking our dogs in an area near the mountains that is all brush and trails. It was getting dark and out of nowhere we heard a lot of coyotes howling, and then more howling that was getting closer and closer, and even scary closer. I panicked and grabbed my son and my wife grabed the dogs and we ran for our lives(literally). I have been on the internet searching if it is legal to kill coyotes. Many links say yes but only for hunting competitions. So what if I was out in the wild not in a competition and this happens. I know you need to have a concealed weapons permit to carry a gun. But what if it was life or death if I shot 1 or a few to save my family is it illegal? I’m not going to go out there and kill any animal for no reason but I just need some clarification on this subject. Please help me.