As bow hunting expands into Joplin’s neighborhoods,
residents brace for an autumn unlike any other. Here’s what the
2025 ordinance means for wildlife, safety, and community care.
This fall, as the leaves turn and the air grows crisp,
a quiet shift will settle over our community. The woods that once welcomed
children’s laughter and family hikes where acorns were gathered, wildlife
watched, and seasonal rituals played out will no longer be a safe haven. A
recent change to the city council’s hunting ordinance has altered access to
these familiar trails, and for many, this year’s autumn won’t look or feel the
same.
I read with concern the recent decision by the Joplin
City Council to approve bow hunting of deer within city limits. While I
understand the motivations unfenced backyards, property damage, rising deer
populations, vehicle collisions on roads lacking “deer crossing” signage, and
fears around chronic wasting disease I believe this ordinance misses the mark.
We live in a region where deer have always belonged.
They were here long before subdivisions, sidewalks, and manicured lawns. When
residents choose to live near wooded areas, part of that choice involves
coexisting with wildlife. It’s not the deer who are encroaching on us it’s the
other way around.
Instead of responding with lethal force, we should
explore non-lethal alternatives: Improved fencing and deterrents. Public education on wildlife coexistence. Enforcement of feeding bans to prevent
habituation.
Deer aren’t pests. They’re survivors, navigating
shrinking habitats and disrupted migration paths. Hunting them simply for being
present feels inhumane especially when late-season does are still nursing
fawns. These vulnerable family units should never be targets.
Safety Concerns When Hunting in the City
Urban woods are shared spaces, not shooting ranges.
Protect families, wildlife, and vulnerable neighbors.
Safety and Ethics in Residential Zones
Some council members raised safety concerns, and
rightly so. Allowing arrows to fly in residential areas introduces risks we may
not be prepared to manage. During fall months, families and children walk
wooded trails to admire foliage. With a growing homeless population, wooded
areas may also serve as refuge. The last thing anyone needs is to be struck by
a stray arrow.
And what of interpretation? My neighbor has been
feeding deer for weeks and plans to hunt on his property come September 15th.
His land borders mine just 20 feet from my home. Feeding deer is illegal under
Missouri law, and hunting in densely populated residential zones is reckless at
best. Yet he misinterpreted the Joplin hunting ordinance. He seems to think it gives him permission.
Will people jump out of cars to pursue deer crossing
the road? Will poachers assume firearms are fair game? These questions were
never addressed when the City of Joplin approved this ordinance.
You can read the full ordinance and registration
requirements on the City
of Joplin’s official website.
A Better Way Forward
If deer populations truly require management, a
controlled hunt would have been more responsible: A short, supervised weekend event led by
animal control and conservation officers.
Permits checked and safety protocols enforced. Limited to mature 4-point
bucks only no does, fawns, or young bucks.
This could have helped balance population control. Instead, we’re now facing a months-long open season from September through January that feels like a free-for-all for bow hunters. Permits and landowner permission are technically required, but who’s actually checking those letters?
From what I’ve seen on social media, many hunters seem to assume that any wooded land in Joplin is fair game. They rarely mention landowner consent, and the lines between public and private property are getting dangerously blurred.
Let’s rethink what it means to live alongside wildlife.
Let’s choose coexistence over convenience, and compassion over control. Read second article on this topic here
Other Joplin articles by author
Joplin Misses the Mark of Late Season Fawn and Nursing Doe
Urban Bow Hunting in Joplin: A Cautionary Tale from theCity Woods
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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