No Signs, No Safety: Why Fall Hiking in Joplin Feels Too Risky

 

Every September, when the leaves begin to turn and the air shifts toward crisp, my husband and I lace up our boots and head down to the valley. It’s a quiet ritual walking the creek bed beneath the bluffs, watching the oak and silver maples change color, listening for the rustle of squirrels and the hush of water over stone. That hike has always marked the start of fall for us.

But this year, we’re staying home.
Not because we want to.
Because we have no idea if hunters are in the area.

Bowhunting Season Begins Without Warning

Joplin’s urban bowhunting season opened on September 15, 7 weeks before the firearms season and long before any public notice was issued. The city ordinance allows bowhunting on private property of one acre or more with landowner permission, but it doesn’t require signage. No warnings. No alerts. No indication that privately owned wooded areas near homes, trails, and creeks may now be active hunting zones.

We would rather skip the hike than risk walking into a space where arrows are flying and no one’s been told.

Here is a warning sign that I designed. A safety sign like this would have been great during the urban hunting season in Joplin Missouri.

 A Public Safety Gap

I asked around. No one could tell me where hunters were active. No signs were posted. No alerts were issued.  So, the hike didn’t happen this year.  Even though my husband really wanted to go, he told me to put on a reflective orange vest and to bring along our dog’s cowbell.  

View from bluff by my home . We will miss hiking this year

Yes, we talked about going hiking in spite of not knowing if hunters were in the woods. My husband said the leaves were changing, that the valley trail by shoal creek would be beautiful. But I couldn’t shake the feeling: what if someone’s hunting down there? This fall, we’re skipping our fall hike because Joplin doesn’t know where it's hunters are and neither do we.

Why a Controlled Hunt Would Have Made More Sense

Instead of allowing bowhunters to operate across scattered wooded corridors throughout Joplin, a controlled hunt would have offered a safer, more transparent alternative. Controlled hunts are typically organized by conservation agencies or municipalities and take place in designated areas with strict oversight, limited permits, and clear boundaries. They often include:

• Mandatory signage warning the public of active hunting zones
• Defined timeframes for hunting activity
• Safety briefings and equipment protocols
• Public notice to nearby residents and trail users

A controlled hunt balances wildlife management with public safety. It respects both the needs of hunters and the rights of families who use the woods for hiking, birdwatching, and seasonal recreation. Joplin’s ordinance missed the mark not by allowing hunting, but by failing to inform and protect the community.

This fall, we’re staying away from the woods because we weren’t told which woods was safe for hikers.

Author Disclaimer

This article was written by Susang6, a Joplin-based wildlife advocate, independent creator, and designer. The views expressed are based on firsthand experience, local observation, and documented ordinance language. Susan supports ethical wildlife management, public transparency, and seasonal access to nature for all residents. This article is part of an ongoing series addressing urban deer policy, public safety, and community access.