Ask A Bear: Will Music Attract a Bear?

Got a burning ursine question? Ask our resident bruin expert in our new weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'

Q: Would listening to music on a portable speaker (like iPod earbuds) while sleeping attract or deter bear visits? —David, Austin, TX

A: Well...that depends on what you're listening to, David. If it's something by Grizzly Bear, Panda Bear, or Minus The Bear, I'll probably leave you alone. But if it's Miley Cyrus, I swear to Ursa Major I'll chomp you good.

Relax, relax—I'm just kidding. You're probably safe. See, like you, I like to smell my food rather than hear it. I'm attracted to just about any interesting smell you can think of—lamb chops, strawberries, toothpaste, face wash, sunblock.

But unusual sounds generally annoy me, and music (except for the aforementioned bands) would definitely fall into that category. That's why those guys in tan and green with the weird hats tell you to clap your hands, talk loudly, and sing whenever you walk through my forested living room. Have you ever even heard the average person sing "Dancing Queen?" If you have, no need to wonder why you "came all this way to Montana" and never even saw me.

So if you wanna crank the tent tuneage, go for it—your tentmate is more likely to maul you because of it than I am. Unless it's Miley...

—BEAR

Got a question for the bear? Send it to askabear@backpacker.com.

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READERS COMMENTS

There's no right or wrong. Treading lightly is a matter of opinion. I don't hike to get peace and quiet or to commune with nature and the wild. I hike for the athletic challenge, the accomplishment, the adrenaline and the testosterone that flows through my body when I conquer a mountain! I'll use my earbuds and keep the volume down so you don't hear a thing if you promise not to push your hiking beliefs on me. Deal? See ya on the trail...
Posted: Oct 27, 2009 Sure-Foot

I don't go to the wilderness for the peace and quiet. I go for the athletic adventure and challenge of it. I'm not there to hug any trees or commune with nature. I do it for the testosterone, the adrenaline, the accomplishment. I climb that mountain because it's there! The wilderness gives me a sense of accomplishment. I like the danger of going solo. I'll wear my earbuds and keep the volume down so you don't hear anything as long as you promise not to push your hiking beliefs on me. Deal? See ya on the trail...
Posted: Oct 27, 2009 Sure-Foot

I carry a small transitor radio with me. I usually get a station and at night place the radio outside in front of my tent door. I have never been bothered and sometimes the music helps me to sleep.
Posted: Oct 24, 2009 CuzinVinny

I am with Dalkulla. If you need your tunes in the wild, you are not treading lightly. It is bad enough they can smell each of us 2 days away. My experience with bears is they don't want more part of us then we do of them, unless we surprise them when they will need to defend themselves. Woods are quiet. You wanted to get away to the peace and quiet. Just think, what does a bear do in the woods? iPODs are not on that list. Ric NYREFUGEE2000@yahoo.com
Posted: Oct 23, 2009 NYREFUGEE

When hiking solo, its nice to have my Ipod and a good book with me for the times I retire into the tent but its too early to sleep. I backpacked Isle Royale this summer and it was good to have something to be able to do when the rain had me hole up earlier than planned. I use earbuds, so no one but myself could hear it. I've never had trouble with any other backpackers carrying radios or music devices that bothered others.
Posted: Oct 23, 2009 treeman

I don't think it pathetic to carry your music. I like to listen to it for about an hour after turning in. But I use earbuds. Usually it's useless to expect an FM signal where I go. I usually hear all the wild noises well after midnight. Whatever, don't mess up someones nature experience with your noise. Respect...
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 Artbango

An ipod is annoying, and all you get is music. How about a radio with headphones so you can at least get the weather? Or carry a weather radio, rather than do nothing but listen to music if you must.
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 snoreasaurusrex

Whether you're in the woods for the sound of birds chirping, solitude, to get away from it all, or whatever the reason, it is in no way anyone's business but your own. No one has any right to tell you how to hike your hike. EVER! If you're alone, and certain of it, turn it up. If others show up or there are already people there, please use the earbuds or headphones. No one has the right to judge another hiker because they like to listen to music or watch videos on their ipod. That being said, remember to show some respect to other hikers by keeping the volume down or wearing headphones. The trail is no place for rudeness, judgment, or the bickering we do in society.
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 Andrew

I love my music anywhere. If you do not like my music in Gods country, please feel free to hike away.
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 ET Hiker

why don't you stay home with your i pod... and leave nature alone.
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 dalkulla

I couldn't agree more! I abhor hearing record music when I've busted my butt to get somewhere "away from it all". I thought that was limited to car camping bozos, it's really sad to hear that kind of thing happening in the backcountry.
Use earbuds if you're so pathetic you can't leave your music behind!

Posted: Oct 22, 2009 Anonymous

I often wonder how many people have ever heard a bird chirp?
I had the honour in 2007 of listening to someone's "Family Guy" on thier ipod in another tent, in a backcountry camground late at night. It wasn't an easily accessible one either...
I go into the backcountry to escape from society, and mass media.
You can annoy more than your tent mates with music or videos.
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 acb