50th Anniversary Publication - Editorial Retraction

Oops!
50th Anniversary Publication
Editorial Retraction

Though we had great fun putting together the 50th Anniversary Publication, regrettably there are a few glaring mistakes we’d like to rectify.

Firstly, you may have noted our intriguing cover – but were unable to locate any information about the artist. Narda Lebo works from a refurbished barn in Dallas, Texas. In addition to the grouse and woodcock on the cover of our publication, Narda completed the illustrations on page 140. For more information about her, and her work, visit www.nardalebo.com.

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Comments on Ruffed Grouse Longevity
Our ruffed grouse photo essay included the controversial statement, “The average lifespan for
ruffed grouse is three to five years, but some have been found to exceed seven years of age.” We’d like
to clarify this statement, which was based up the New York State Conservation Department’s 13 year
study of ruffed grouse, as well as several other sources.
The published study, “The Ruffed Grouse – Life History – Propagation – Management”, by
Gardiner Bump, Robert W. Darrow, Frank C. Edminster and Walter F. Crissey, contains a section
titled, “Longevity and Senility,” that states:
Most recent literature and the present records of the Investigation indicate that the average
adult grouse in the wild meets death before it is three years old. This is almost invariably a
violent death and, therefore, does not indicate the potential longevity of the species. As has
been mentioned, one banded wild grouse attained an age of at least five years. At the Research
Center, 4-year-old birds are fairly numerous, while 5-year-olds are not unusual. Six-year-olds
are rare and no bird has yet exceeded this age.

Cecil E. Heacock’s book, The Gallant Grouse, contains these statements regarding grouse longevity
on page 67:The Ruffed Grouse will occupy a territory for about three years, the bird’s average life-span.
The oldest ruffed grouse on record was a banded Minnesota bird which reached an age of 7
year, 10 months, a victim of an avian predator.
In summation, ruffed grouse are capable of surviving three to five years in the wild, but their life
spans are often much shorter due to high predation rates.

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Art Wheaton’s article on Edmund Henry Osthaus (page 116) is illustrated by some lovely pieces of work, unfortunately most aren’t works by Osthaus. In the course of editing and designing the magazine, the incorrect art files were pulled. (The first illustration, on page 116, is by Osthaus.) Please know Art had nothing to do with this incorrect selection, and the works he did originally select to illustrate the article follow.
 

Dupont Calendar featuring Joe Cumming, courtesy of the Art Wheaton Collection



Courtesy of the Ken Waite Jr. Collection

 
Courtesy of the Ken Waite Jr. Collection


 Courtesy of the Ken Waite Jr. Collection