Fieldnotes on the Edge - Eyes on Joplin

In Silvercreek, a wooded residential community just south of the City of Joplin, homes sit on acre lots or more, surrounded by mature trees, quiet trails, and seasonal wildlife. It’s not unusual to see a few deer grazing at dusk but when  24 deer were spotted on a single lawn , it raised more than eyebrows. It raised questions. Was this a case of overpopulation? Or was it learned behavior, shaped by human feeding patterns? Even if the current landowner didn’t intentionally feed the deer, it’s entirely possible that a previous resident used  corn, salt licks, or garden attractants , and the deer simply added the lawn to their migration circuit. Deer are creatures of habit. Once a location becomes a reliable food source, they return. Again and again. This sighting doesn’t confirm a biological crisis. It doesn’t prove that Joplin’s deer population is out of control. What it does suggest is something quieter, but just as urgent: The need for stricter and enforceable laws o...

    When Joplin’s city council approved its urban bow hunting ordinance in June 2025, one of the stated goals was to “reduce the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)” among the local deer population. Council members cited similar programs in Branson, Columbia, and Springfield as successful models. But the science and the field evidence tell a different story.   Watercolor image created by Susang6 using AI technology  What Is CWD? Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal neurological illness affecting deer, elk, and moose. It’s caused by misfolded proteins called prions , which slowly degrade the brain and body. Symptoms include weight loss, confusion, drooling, and eventual death. There is no cure , and prions can persist in soil and water for years. 📎 CDC: Chronic Wasting Disease Overview 📎 Missouri Department of Conservation: CWD Info   What Joplin’s Ordinance Claims The city’s urban hunting page states that the ordinance aims to: Minimi...