Fieldnotes on the Edge - Eyes on Joplin

  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 archers are in the area. Bowhunting Season Begins Without Warning Joplin’s urban bowhunting season opened on September 15th, 2025  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 bee...

    Across the United States, urban deer hunting ordinances are often enacted in response to landscaping damage, traffic collisions, and resident safety concerns. But beneath these surface-level triggers lies a deeper issue: misinterpretation. When cities mistake seasonal deer movement , learned behavior , or habitat fragmentation for overpopulation, they risk launching wildlife management programs based on anecdote rather than ecological evidence. This pattern isn’t unique to Joplin. From Pennsylvania to South Carolina, municipalities have implemented deer population control measures without conducting baseline ecological studies or consulting long-term data. The result? Policies that mislead hunters, frustrate residents, and place undue pressure on local wildlife.   Pittsburgh, PA : Park-Based Program Sparks Debate In 2024, Pittsburgh expanded its Deer Management Program to include bowhunting in city parks Frick, Riverview, Schenley, Highland, and Emerald...