Is playing musical instruments like Harp/Harmonica, Flute unsafe during backpacking trips?
Along with trekking and camping, I am too involved in musical instruments that I play. And, I always have had a thought of carrying my six-string with me on some long hike for entertainment during I camp at some site. ( I have so far always have taken care of safety issues/procedures related Campsite Selection), but still I wonder if its is absolutely safe (with active Wildlife perspective) to play musical instruments like Harp/harmonica or a flute or even a guitar in wilderness?
I would love to carry my Harmonica or a Flute with me ( being extremely portable as compared to a guitar), but what worries me more is that usually such wind instruments generate frequencies that are audible over a longer distance as compared to a guitar which is a string instrument (but hardly portable).
Animals that are usually seen are: Wild Boars, Deer, Wild Dogs, Hyena.
Very Rarely seen but confirmed (by unofficial sources like Farmers and Woodcutters frequently visiting the area) of being there: Leopard, Jaguar, Sloth Bears, Tiger(But I doubt on these except Sloth Bears)
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Friends of mine were going for a trip to Canada. They told me that walking the woods they were singing/whistling/clapping most of the time. The main issue is alarming bears abruptly which can cause them to attack. I guess this is true for other wild animals too.
I made a quick google search to verify this. You can find tips very easily, like e.g. here where they say:
Don't surprise bears. If you're hiking, make your presence known. Make noise by talking loudly, singing, or wearing a bell. If you can, travel with a group. Groups are noisier and easier for bears to detect.
Don't play the flute too badly though, that could cause wild animals to dislike humans ;)
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Wind-chimes where originally designed to keep wildlife away, for example Wolves don't like sounds they don't know, that's why it will keep them away.
So it's safer (to play an instrument) than not playing an instrument on your campsite
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I have been recommended to carry a tin can, filled partly with gravel. This will rattle and oust snakes, boars, bears.
I have no idea how effective this would be. Playing a musical instrument should have similar effect, as suggested by all the comments.
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