Fieldnotes on the Edge - Eyes on Joplin

    In states like Missouri, where Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been confirmed in wild deer populations, trophy hunting without testing isn’t just risky it’s a public health blind spot. While no human cases of CWD have been documented. Prion diseases are a rare but deadly class of neurological disorders caused by misfolded proteins that trigger irreversible brain damage. While CWD affects deer, elk, and moose, it belongs to a broader family of prion diseases that have crossed species boundaries before. For a full overview of human and animal prion diseases including Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), BSE (mad cow disease), and scrapie.   Why CWD Matters to Trophy Hunt CWD is a fatal neurological disease caused by misfolded proteins called prions . These prions concentrate in the brain, spinal cord, eyes, lymph nodes, and spleen. Even if a deer looks healthy, it may carry infectious prions in the very tissues prized by trophy hunters. That means the risk isn’...

  Uncovering the overlooked risks, biological contradictions, and emotional fallout behind Joplin’s urban deer hunting ordinance. When Joplin’s city council approved its urban bow hunting ordinance on June 16, 2025, they cited neighboring cities Springfield, Columbia, Branson, and Cape Girardeau as models of success. But extensive research reveals a different story: repealed ordinances, wounded wildlife, public backlash, and biological red flags. This article documents the dangerous gap between policy and lived reality and why Joplin’s wooded corridors deserve better.    What the Council Claimed City officials stated the ordinance would: Reduce deer-vehicle collisions Minimize property damage Prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Mirror “successful” programs in other Missouri cities They referenced Branson, Columbia and Springfield , as examples of safe, effective urban hunts. Assistant Police Chief Brian Lewis called ...

Joplin’s urban hunting ordinance, passed in June 2025, claims that thinning the herd will help stop the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). But that premise falls apart under scientific scrutiny.  CWD is caused by prions misfolded proteins that are not only resistant to heat and sterilization, but also capable of binding to soil and remaining infectious for years. These prions don’t vanish when a deer is removed. They persist in the environment, especially in wooded corridors and feeding zones. CWD is in soil and plants.  Prions most likely enter soil via excretion or from the carcasses of infected animals… interactions with clay minerals do little to reduce prion potency. Unless the city plans to excavate every wooded acre and incinerate the topsoil at 900°F, thinning the herd won’t stop the spread. It might reduce visible deer, but it does nothing to eliminate the prions already embedded in the landscape. “CWD prions remain infectious even after thorough cooking a...

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. What Joplin’s Ordinance Claims The city’s urban hunting page states that the ordinance aims to: Minimize deer-vehicle collisions Reduce property damage Reduce the spread of CWD Councilman Mark Farnha...