I have a setting where a nomadic man lives alone in a forest. Presume the wildlife is similar to a typical subtropical or temperate forest. I had the idea that before he sits down to cook, he would always play music using a small instrument like a flute, a small drum, or something of the sort he could easily carry with him to scare away any predators or scavengers near by so that they would not be lured in by the smell of cooking food.

Would this work, and if it does, what instrument should he use?

The instrument needs to be something that can be crafted using only simple hand tools.