Sounds like the yotes may be pick'n up your scent in the area when you're checking the cam or the carcass.
Neverhandleany type ofbait you usewith your bare hands, and tryto keep your scent to an absolute minimum.
If nothing else take up a few minutes with the family dog before you make your rounds. They won't bespookyof
K9 scent in the area. You can also take some materiala dog hasslept on and use it as a scent post at the target
area. Coyotes willcome to investigate it. Bobcats, Coonsetc..are more tolerant of human scent than Coyotes or
Foxes.

Your friend could be correct about the white flash spooking them as well. Sometimes they are sensitive to a white
light. But you may try mounting your camera head highor so,and angle it down on the target area to simulate a
lightning strike. Rather than a direct hit of bright light at their level.

Good Luck to ya!