[jkohler70]

Not so many hazards in the MO Ozarks. Only about 350 black bears statewide and while we do get occasional visits from mountain lions, no confirmed mating pairs.
I've hiked over 1000 miles through the state and have never encountered a snake of any kind on a trail. I assume the regular foot traffic causes them to avoid trails. I did encounter a couple of water moccasins while bushwacking up a creek.

Biggest danger here is feral hogs. Since 1965 there have been 2 deaths by snakebite in MO. The recent one was an idiot who was bitten by a water moccasin while wading in the river and didn't bother with the hospital. No bear or cougar attacks in over 100 years.

I also wear "open" earbuds. They aren't noise cancelling or noise isolating.