Fieldnotes on the Edge - Eyes on Joplin

  This post isn’t about Joplin. Not directly. But Wisconsin’s wolf hunting policy raised a red flag that feels eerily familiar because the mindset behind it is something Joplin might condone. And that’s exactly why it belongs here. Starting November 1, Wisconsin will allow recreational wolf hunting and trapping. Not targeted conservation. Not emergency response. Recreational. The plan includes zone-specific tags, faster kill reporting, and updated harvest zones. But the deeper issue isn’t logistics it’s philosophy. When you hunt the alpha in a wolf pack, you don’t just reduce numbers. You fracture the social structure. In stable packs, only the alpha pair breeds. But when alphas are removed, younger or subordinate wolves may begin breeding, leading to more litters, more pups, and more fragmented behavior. It’s not population control its ecological disruption. And here’s the kicker: Wisconsin removed its numeric population goal. The old benchmark was 350 wolves statewide. Toda...

For over 16 years, I’ve published research-informed content under a pen name to protect my privacy and advocacy work. My writing focuses on wildlife health, seasonal patterns, and the real-world impact of urban hunting ordinances. Recently, I was contacted by someone claiming to represent a government office and accused of misrepresenting information related to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). I strongly reject that claim. To verify the legitimacy of the message, I reached out to the agency directly. Their response was clear: they had not contacted me, and the message I received was fraudulent.   Clearly somebody is not happy about my advocacy articles.   A Note on Intent My intent has never been to mislead or misrepresent. These articles were written to inform and educate readers especially those living in areas affected by urban hunting ordinances. I’ve consistently advised readers to do their own research and to contact the Missouri Department of Conservation or loc...