05 September 2025

The battle between ranchers and gray wolves has been waged since the days of the pioneers.

Keeping cattle safe from wolf attacks has seldom been easy—nor 100-percent successful—and since the once-teetering-on-extinction gray wolf was reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park and other areas in the mid-1990s, the conflict has intensified. Today, hundreds of gray wolves roam in Washington and Oregon, thousands ramble around the Great Lakes, dozens are making their home in Northern California, and the population in the Nothern Rockies is such that the apex predators are no longer considered endangered.

That's good news for the species, but the result has also seen the killing of more than 800 domesticated animals across ten states by gray wolves—and that's just from a 2022 survey.

The increased threat over the years has prompted ranchers to protect their lifestock by killing the beasts (when approved by officials, as per a recent decision in the state of Washington), or using electrified fencing, horseback patrols, guard dogs, various alarms, trapping/relocating, or other means.

Now, drones have entered the fray. And AC/DC, too!

A team of biologists—who are currently working around the California-Oregon border—are experimenting with drones delivering rock-concert volume levels of audio from Austrailia's finest hard-rock band, as well as live "warning" voices, recorded gunshots, and movie clips to scare gray wolves away from cattle. The disruption techniques were developed by USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service scientists, and successes were monitored using thermal imaging cameras during night time, when the wolves are most dangerous to livestock groupings. 

With apologies to AC/DC, a preliminary study in 2022 showed that wolves do not appreciate rock music—or human voices—blasted at them from airborne drones.

“If we could reduce the negative impacts of wolves, that is going to more likely lead to a situation where we have coexistence,” said USDA lead researcher Dustin Ranglack.

The successes have been encouraging, but there are some caveats...

Currently, the tech for cattle protection by drone requires a model with night vision and the appropriate loudspeaker—which can cost up to $20,000 per drone. Professional training needs to be factored in, as well, and the drones are far less effective in heavily wooded areas.

In addition, gray wolves are smart. They can already determine—eventually—that deterrences such as cables tied with noisy fluttering flags aren't threats.

So, what's to say that the wolves don't learn to love AC/DC and start headbanging along with the music as they pursue helpless cattle?

“I’m very appreciative of what the USDA researchers are doing," said cattle rancher Mary Rickert, who resides near Mount Shasta. "But I don’t think it’s a long-term solution. I’m afraid that after some period of time, the wolves suddenly go, ‘Wow, this isn’t going to hurt me. It just makes a lot of noise.’”

See the AC/DC Defense in Action