Monday, September 1, 2025

Joplin Misses the Mark of Nursing Deer Ethics


A nursing white-tailed fawn feeds beneath the protective canopy of an oak tree, surrounded by tall grasses and filtered sunlight. The doe stands alert, her body angled to shield her offspring, while the fawn still speckled with white leans in close, drawing warmth and nourishment. This quiet moment of connection reflects the seasonal vulnerability of late-born fawns in Joplin Missouri, where urban hunting ordinances offer no protection for nursing deer or fawn.



As of 2025, Joplin’s urban hunting ordinance permits bow hunting within city limits during the fall and early winter months. But this regulation fails to address a crucial ethical and biological concern: the taking of nursing does.

City of Joplin Bow Hunting Ordinance Endangers 

Nursing Deer and Late-Season Fawns

While technically allowed under Missouri’s broader hunting laws, targeting a nursing doe especially one with late-season fawns born in August is not ethically sound. It directly contradicts wildlife survival data and undermines responsible conservation efforts. 

The Missouri Department of Conservation and regional wildlife experts have repeatedly emphasized that late-born fawns are biologically underdeveloped and unlikely to survive winter without maternal care. By allowing hunters to target does indiscriminately, the ordinance risks orphaning vulnerable fawns and destabilizing local deer populations.

I live in southwest Joplin, adjacent to 29 acres of privately owned, heavily wooded land that has long served as sanctuary for a small deer herd. This season, I’ve observed three does, two first-season bucks, and three late-season fawns born in August. The herd was larger last year but many did not survive the winter. Projectiles were heard in the woods at night, and the loss was palpable.

Late-Season Fawns and the Quiet Proof of Timing

These images were taken in southwest Joplin, where a small deer herd continues to shelter near my home. The nursing doe and her late-season fawns just 2 to 3 weeks old move quietly through the underbrush, still fragile, still learning. You’ll notice the spent blooms of the “naked lady” lilies in the background, a subtle but unmistakable marker of the season’s shift. Their fading petals confirm what the wildlife already knows: it’s late summer, and these fawns are just beginning. 
  
Late season fawn August 2025 phot by Sgolis

Late season fawn August 2025 phot by Sgolis

Late season fawn August 2025 phot by Sgolis

Late-Season Fawns: Vulnerable and Still Learning

The does in southwest Joplin are still nursing fawns born in August late-season arrivals who remain biologically behind their spring-born counterparts. These younger fawns often lack the body mass, fat reserves, and foraging experience needed to survive Missouri’s harsh winter conditions.

Removing a nursing doe this late in the season leaves these fawns without the guidance and protection they still depend on, despite city officials’ claims that they are “independent.” Even if a fawn is technically weaned, its survival hinges on learned behaviors: identifying food sources, avoiding predators, and navigating territory. These skills aren’t instinctive they’re taught. And when a mother is taken too soon, that learning curve is abruptly severed. 

Joplin’s Urban Hunting Ordinance: A Harvest Without Safeguards

Joplin’s urban hunting ordinance passed as Ordinance 2025-083 permits bow hunting of deer within city limits during Missouri’s archery season (September 15–January 15). Hunters must be at least 16 years old, possess all required state permits, and carry written permission from landowners of private parcels one acre or larger. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a licensed adult with hunter education certification. All hunting must be conducted from a stand at least 10 feet off the ground.

However, the ordinance includes no seasonal or ethical exemptions for nursing does, late-born fawns, or first-season young bucks. As written, it permits the harvest of any deer within city limits regardless of age, dependency, or biological vulnerability. There is no stated limit on the number of deer a hunter may take under city rules, deferring instead to state regulations, which allow multiple tags depending on permit type and season.

This means bow hunters, age 16 and up, are legally allowed to target mature bucks, newly weaned fawns, and does still actively nursing August-born offspring. Even teen hunters are eligible, provided they meet basic permit requirements and are accompanied by a licensed adult. The ordinance reads as a harvest of all deer not a selective or humane management plan. And that omission carries real consequences for wildlife still learning to survive.

 Legal Doesn’t Mean Ethical: What Missouri Conservation Actually Says

While Joplin’s urban hunting ordinance may technically comply with Missouri law, it clearly contradicts the ethical standards and wildlife stewardship principles promoted by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and MU Extension.

 No Exemptions for Nursing Does or Fawns
The ordinance permits the harvest of any deer mature bucks, first-season young bucks, nursing does, and late-season fawns with no seasonal safeguards or ethical restraint. Hunters age 16 and up are legally allowed to participate, including teens accompanied by a licensed adult.

 MDC’s Hunter Ethics Guidance
The MDC urges hunters to “respect the land and all wildlife” and to “make every effort to retrieve and use all game.” Ethical hunting includes considering the ripple effects of harvesting a nursing doe especially when dependent fawns are still learning to survive.
Read MDC’s Hunter Ethics page

 MU Extension on Population Health
According to MU Extension’s white-tailed deer management guides, deer populations are shaped by habitat, hunting pressure, and seasonal conditions. Removing does with dependent fawns can skew herd dynamics and reduce recruitment rates undermining long-term viability.
Explore MU Extension’s deer management resources


 Supporting Resources

.No Exemptions: Joplin’s Bow Hunting Ordinance Targets All Deer
Joplin’s urban hunting ordinance includes no seasonal or ethical exemptions for nursing does, late-born fawns, or first-season young bucks. As written, it permits the harvest of any deer within city limits regardless of age, dependency, or biological vulnerability. This means bow hunters, age 16 and up, are legally allowed to target mature bucks, newly weaned fawns, and does still actively nursing August-born offspring. Even teen hunters are eligible, provided they meet basic permit requirements and are accompanied by a licensed adult. The ordinance reads as a harvest of all deer not a selective or humane management plan. And that omission carries real consequences for wildlife still learning to survive.

 Author's  Note / Disclaimer
This article is intended for educational and advocacy purposes only. It reflects the author's personal perspective on urban wildlife management and public safety. No part of this content promotes illegal activity, violence, or harm toward animals or individuals. All references to local ordinances, safety concerns, and wildlife behavior are based on publicly available information and lived experience. Readers are encouraged to consult official city resources and conservation experts for guidance.

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How to Decoupage Autumn Hat Boxes with Leaf Print Tissue Paper

Autumn is a season of texture, color, and quiet transformation and your home décor can reflect that beautifully. One of the most charming ways to celebrate fall is by creating custom decoupage hat boxes using leaf print tissue paper. These boxes aren’t just decorative; they double as storage for your seasonal decorations, keeping everything tidy and ready for next year.



Materials You’ll Need:

Round or oval hat boxes (cardboard or papier-mâché work best)

Leaf print tissue paper (like the one shown above)

Decoupage glue (e.g., Mod Podge)

Soft brush or sponge applicator

Scissors

Optional: matte sealant spray for added durability

 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prep Your Surface
Wipe down the hat boxes to remove any dust or residue. If the surface is glossy, lightly sand it to help the glue adhere better.

2. Cut Your Tissue Paper
Trim the leaf print tissue paper into manageable sections. You can cut around individual leaves for a collage effect or use full sheets for a seamless wrap.

3. Apply the Glue
Using your brush, apply a thin layer of decoupage glue to a small section of the box. Gently press the tissue paper onto the glue, smoothing out wrinkles with your fingers or a soft sponge.

4. Layer and Seal
Continue working in sections until the entire box is covered. Once dry, apply a top coat of glue over the paper to seal it. Let it dry fully before stacking or storing.

5. Style Your Display
Stack your finished hat boxes near a cozy corner, entryway, or mantel. Add a small pumpkin, dried leaves, or acorns for a seasonal decorations that feels both curated and organic.



Why It Works

Feature:
These decoupage hat boxes are an attractive way to decorate for fall bringing in warm tones, natural motifs, and a handmade touch that feels personal and inviting.

Benefit:
They’re not just pretty. You can store your autumn garlands, faux pumpkins, leaf garlands, and seasonal linens inside, keeping your décor organized and protected until next year.