Fieldnotes on the Edge - Eyes on Joplin

  Hunting season may be over in Joplin, but the safety concerns it exposed are not. This year revealed serious gaps in communication, signage, and public awareness   issues that put residents, pets, and even hunters at risk. Now is the time for the City of Joplin to acknowledge what went wrong and correct these mistakes before next year’s season begins. Across the country, other communities are facing the same problem. In Worthington, Ohio, a resident even filed a lawsuit after discovering that lethal wildlife operations were happening near his home without posted signs or clear public notice . His case highlights a national pattern: cities allowing hunting activity near neighborhoods while failing to warn the people who live there. Joplin is not alone   but that doesn’t mean we should accept unsafe practices.   A safety sign / warning to all  The Problem: Hunting in Urban Areas With No Posted Signs This season, Freeman Grove and surrounding areas saw...

  This season, a troubling encounter reminded us why safety and accountability must go hand in hand. An archer in our area admitted to hunting from a ground-level blind a direct violation of Joplin’s urban hunting terms, which require hunters to be elevated at least 10 feet. When my neighbor questioned him, the archer made it clear he knew where we lived. That’s when the conversation shifted from concern to fear. My neighbor told me we couldn’t report him. Not because it wasn’t wrong but because retaliation felt like a real possibility. This is exactly why Joplin needs an anonymous reporting system for urban hunting violations. Residents should be able to: Share safety concerns without fear Report violations of hunting terms Document suspicious or illegal activity Help protect pets, children, and neighbors All without putting themselves at risk. A simple website   with no name required could make all the difference. It would empower re...

  Mark your calendars: Saturday, December 6, 2025 , brings the first annual Joplin Coin Show to the VFW Hall at 110 Veterans Way. Whether you’re a seasoned numismatist or someone who just inherited a mysterious coin, this event is your gateway to discovery. With free admission, expert dealers, and secure onsite setup, the Joplin Coin Show promises a day of learning, trading, and connecting with the region’s vibrant collector community.   What to Expect Dozens of dealers offering rare coins, currency, bullion, and collectibles Onsite appraisals and buying opportunities bring your coins and ask questions Educational displays showcasing historic U.S. and world coins Secure environment with 24-hour security and professional setup Free admission and open hours from 9 AM to 4 PM   What You’ll Find Certified coins from PCGS, NGC, and CAC   ready for investment or collection Raw coins for those who enjoy the thrill ...

 For more than two decades, coyotes have been part of the landscape here in Joplin, Missouri. Today, their presence isn’t limited to the wild edges of town coyote sightings in our backyards have become a regular reminder that we share this space with resilient neighbors. From Wildcat Park to the wooded tracts near our homes, they move with the seasons, appearing in fall and winter just as naturally as spring blooms. I’ve seen coyotes lying only fifty feet from my home, and crossing my backyard at dusk. My dogs bark to alert us when they’re near, while the feral cats instinctively keep their distance. One evening, I found myself just five feet from an adult female coyote. She showed no aggression she simply crossed the trail as I calmly stepped back. That moment taught me something important: coyotes are not automatically dangerous, and panic is not the right response. Like many predators, coyotes can sense fear and vulnerability. In the wild, panic signals weakness, but calm, stead...

  Last night, I saw a photo shared with pride a 12-year-old boy posing with his first deer. It was a fawn. The caption called it “good target practice.” I posted my reaction, and the response from ethical hunters was swift and clear: They do not hunt fawns. They teach their children to pass by young deer and reproducing does. They wait for mature bucks and older does animals past their reproductive prime. For them, hunting is about sustenance, not spectacle. Precision, not thrill. Respect, not conquest. Image captured at night this fawn born in August. (3 months old)  too young to be hunted or considered "target practice"   That distinction matters. There’s a world of difference between harvesting a mature animal for food and celebrating the harvest of a fawn. A fawn isn’t a meal it’s a moment of life barely begun. To call its loss of life “target practice” is to strip away any pretense of ethics. It’s not about feeding a family. It’s about the high of watchi...

      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...

    Joplin’s urban bowhunting policy leaves a local deer herd vanished. A firsthand account of habitat loss, ordinance flaws, and community impact   For 27 years, I’ve watched a small herd of white-tailed deer move through Freeman Grove Woods a 29-acre tract of wooded land nestled west of Main Street, east of South Jackson, and just south of 36th Street in Joplin. This patch of habitat, with its stream-fed ravine and quiet cover, supported generations of deer: lactating does with late-season fawns born in August and September, first-season bucks, and the kind of wildlife rhythm that families with field glasses came to cherish. But this week, the woods fell silent.  The seven deer I’ve monitored in this corridor are gone. Not relocated. Not dispersed. Gone.   Based on my research and direct observation, I believe they were harvested under Joplin’s 2025 urban bowhunting program, which allows unrestricted age hunting on qualifying private land with la...