God Be with You, Lennie Rue – Deer & Deer Hunting

If there’s one person who has changed the way modern American hunters understand whitetails, it’s Dr. Leonard Lee Rue III. He can not only be credited for his landmark insights on deer behavior, he pioneered such research when he became a private land wildlife manager more than 65 years ago.

Leonard Lee Rue III (left) was the first major contributor to a whitetail-specific publication when he signed on to work with Jack Brauer (right) and the Stump Sitters Whitetail Study Group in the 1970s. The Stump Sitters incorporated in 1973 and then came out with the nation’s first whitetail-specific media source when it published Deer & Deer Hunting Magazine in 1977.

This legendary naturalist, author-photography and wildlife behaviorist worked for more than 70 years and traveled to all seven continents. He compiled more than 30 books on wildlife, including the landmark Deer of North America (1978) that was the first and foremost source of whitetail physiology and behavior. He wrote with unparalleled authority, becoming Deer & Deer Hunting’s first major contributing editor in 1977. Over the years, he penned thousands of articles and “Rue’s Views” columns on deer and deer hunting. The New Jersey native’s work wasn’t limited to deer, but he soon became known as the father of whitetail behavior, leading the way for other greats, including Charles J. Alsheimer of western New York.

Leonard Rue’s behavioral research on whitetails began in the 1950s and continued for more than 70 years. (photo courtesy of Rue Enterprises)

Rue traveled the world, documenting all sorts of wildlife behavior with his camera and pen. This resulted in more than 1,800 cover photos of major periodicals, including National Geographic, National Wildlife, National Audubon, Outdoor Life, Newsweek and Time.

Although he dropped out of high school to work on the family farm during World War II, Rue received an honorary doctorate in wildlife science from Colorado State University in 1990.

In 1998, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA).

He resided most of his life in New Jersey with his wife and work partner, Uschi.

Leonard and Uschi Rue (photo courtesy of Rue Enterprises)

I first met Lennie at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in 1996. It was a true encounter with one of my childhood heroes. His presence commanded the room, but his demeanor was one of sincerity, humility, and true kindness. I had been editing his “Rue’s Views” columns for about six months at that time, and in that short time, via phone calls, he shared so much of his knowledge – freely and willingly.

He put his arm on my shoulder and said, “It is sure nice to meet you, Daniel, my son.”

It was at that moment I knew my insecurities of not being “good enough” for this industry evaporated immediately. His work with print magazines continued for many years, until he eventually (and wisely) shifted his focus to wildlife video. He was a true visionary. A man who was always one step ahead of his time.

Rue was a member of: Society of American Mammalogists, National Parks Society, Wilderness Society, National Wildlife Federation, Audubon Society, Wildlife Society, Masons.

He received eleven book awards from New Jersey Institute State Association of English; New Jersey Institute of Technology Award, 1963, for The World of the White-Tailed Deer, 1966, for Cottontail: Children’s Pet, Gardener’s Pest, and Hunter’s Favorite, 1983, for Meet the Opossum, and 1988, for Meet the Beaver; New Jersey Institute of Technology Golden Award, 1979; inducted into New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame, 1979; Excellence in Craft Award, Outdoor Writers Association of America, 1987; D.Sc., Colorado State University, 1990; Lifetime Achievement Award, North American Nature Photography Association, 1997.

Here’s what other wildlife greats have said about him over the years:

“Leonard Lee Rue III has been observing whitetails longer than most of us have lived. His books represent thousands of days spent watching deer. He has seen it all, and he intricately ties it together for hunters and nonhunters alike.” Dr. Dave Samuel, West Virginia University

“No one alive knows more about the white-tailed deer than Lennie Rue.” Charles J. Alsheimer, writer, photographer and deer behaviorist, 2013.

“He was a pioneer, no doubt about it. When he was studying whitetails, no one was even coming close to the insights he was gleaning from his research and observations.” John J. Ozoga, Research Biologist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (retired)

Rue’s “The Deer of North America” is one of the most critically acclaimed books on whitetail behavior that’s ever been published. (1978 Outdoor Life Book Club)

Leonard Lee Rue will be missed by all of us. If you are not familiar with his work, I urge you to find his books, magazine articles and photographs and take a history lesson down the path of what was a great career in the outdoors – one that will forever be emblazoned on the souls of American wildlife enthusiasts.

Leonard Lee Rue III’s latest book Whitetail Savvy.

God be with you, Lennie. Thank you for making us wiser land stewards, wildlife admirers and, above all, children of the Lord.