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Showing posts with the label whitetail deer

Do Whitetail Bucks Migrate 100 Miles a Day? Debunking the Myth

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      Many claim whitetail bucks migrate 100 miles daily, especially during the rut. This post debunks the myth using GPS studies and real-world deer behavior.    Introduction: Why This Myth Needs Debunking In wildlife advocacy and landowner conversations, few myths persist as stubbornly as the claim that whitetail deer especially bucks during the rut migrate up to 100 miles a day. This misconception is often repeated with authority, even by law enforcement or seasoned hunters, despite being thoroughly disproven by decades of GPS tracking and behavioral studies. As a voice-centered writer and wildlife advocate based in Joplin, Missouri, I’ve spent years observing a deer corridor. The seven deer I’ve tracked including mature bucks have shown consistent, localized movement patterns. Their behavior aligns with scientific data, not anecdotal exaggeration. This article presents the facts, challenges misinformation, and empowers readers to advocate for hab...

Protected Deer Except During Archery Season: Joplin Missouri

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  “Protection” Means Permission to Harvest Deer   They call Missouri’s white-tailed deer a protected species . But in Joplin, that protection comes with a four-month loophole and zero exemptions for nursing doe or dependent fawns. This blog dives into the contradiction at the heart of urban wildlife policy where conservation language meets convenience, and herd management starts to look a lot like open-season for removal. Doe and two late season fawn If you’ve ever wondered how a city can claim to protect deer while encouraging the harvest of the healthiest breeders, you’re not alone. We’re unpacking the ordinance, the ethics, and the quiet disappearance of maternal lines all under the banner of “population control.”   Urban Bowhunting: Joplin’s Seasonal Exception In 2025, Joplin City Council passed Ordinance 2025-083, allowing bowhunting of deer within city limits during Missouri’s archery season. The decision was framed as a response to:   Frequent deer-...