Ep. 853: Turkeys Break the Internet, Tungsten Ammo Gets Expensive, and Black Bear Politics Flare

The MeatEater Podcast news roundup covers turkey hunting hurdles from tech glitches to ammo costs, bear management disputes in multiple states, destructive fishing practices off Alaska, and lighter fare like a pro golfer's wild game menu nod.

Wisconsin Turkey Tag Sales Overload

Wisconsin's online system for leftover spring turkey tags crashed under demand during March sales. Hunters enter a virtual queue 15 minutes before 10 a.m. drops for specific zones and seasons, but a payment processing glitch—dubbed a "thundering herd" issue—kicked users out mid-purchase, including host Tony Peterson while securing tags for himself and his daughters. One frustrated hunter, "Donald," vented publicly about waiting as #3,800 in line only to get mismatched zones and a failed bonus tag attempt.

This recurs every few years in Wisconsin and plagues other systems like Idaho's hunts and Pennsylvania antlerless tags. High demand stems from preference for early seasons (A or B) in zones with quotas; later ones (D-F) often remain. Non-residents rarely draw early tags, so leftovers are key. Tony notes Wisconsin's multi-week, zone-specific seasons spread pressure but require planning around school or work. The DNR contracts the tech, so blame falls partly on providers, not just the agency. Hunters adapt by queuing early or buying OTC later options.