Eyes on Joplin: Doe and Late-Season Fawn in Silvercreek, MO

 

 

Field Report: Thin Does and Spotted Fawns

Yesterday, my neighbors went scouting for deer in Silvercreek and reported seeing 14 grazing in the fields across the street. While homes lined the opposite side, no deer were seen in the neighborhood itself.

The deer weren’t clustered in one wooded area they were spread out over nearly a mile. Contrary to the city council’s claims of a destructive herd, what they observed were thin lactating does and late-season fawns still bearing spots. No bucks were present. The thinness of the does is likely maternal; they typically regain weight once their fawns are weaned. Their appearance does not suggest overpopulation.

Local Hunter’s Perspective

This was my neighbor’s second scouting trip. He maintains there are no deer in Joplin and perhaps never were. Because of this, he does not plan to bowhunt locally. He also stated clearly that he will not hunt lactating does fawns or young bucks. Instead, he plans to hunt in November on his family’s farm in northern Missouri.

The City’s Narrative vs. Field Reality

The city of Joplin previously described Silvercreek as “infested” with deer, citing a homeowner’s report of 12 deer on his lawn and damage to ornamental trees and vegetation. That narrative helped push through the bow hunting ordinance, citing an “exploding” deer population, Lyme disease risks, CWD and vehicle collisions.

My husband and I also searched for deer in Silvercreek and Leewood. We saw only a few does and fawns. Since then, two hunters in our neighborhood have reported the same: no herd, no bucks.

It makes me wonder did poachers arrive before bow season and thin the herd? Or was the report of a destructive population in Silvercreek exaggerated? I don’t know.