In a tragic and unforeseen incident, a hunting expedition in Virginia culminated in the death of 58-year-old Lester C. Harvey from Phenix. The calamity unfolded when a bear, dislodged from its arboreal refuge by a fellow hunter’s bullet, plummeted onto Harvey, resulting in fatal injuries.
The sequence of events transpired on December 9 in the sylvan expanses of Lunenburg County, nestled between Richmond and Danville. Harvey, accompanied by his son and a cadre of hunting companions, was in pursuit of a bear that, in a bid to evade capture, had ascended a tree. As the group strategically positioned themselves around the base, maintaining an approximate distance of ten feet, one member discharged his firearm, striking the bear. The mortally wounded animal descended uncontrollably, its substantial mass colliding with Harvey.
Immediate medical intervention was administered by a member of the hunting party, who performed first aid procedures until emergency medical services arrived. Harvey was subsequently transported to two medical facilities in a concerted effort to address his critical condition. Despite these endeavors, he succumbed to his injuries on December 13.
An obituary honoring Harvey depicted him as a steadfast husband, a father to five children, and a grandfather to eight grandchildren. His professional life was marked by his role as a self-employed contractor, and he was lauded for his fervent appreciation of the outdoors. The tribute emphasized his amicable nature, stating, “Lester was a friend to all and never met a stranger. He was an avid outdoorsman.”
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) provided clarification regarding the legality of the hunting actions, noting that licensed individuals are permitted to harvest bears that have sought refuge in trees, provided that the methods employed do not involve causing harm or forcibly removing the animal with the intent to perpetuate the hunt or facilitate the training of hunting dogs. Shelby Crouch, a spokesperson for the DWR, indicated that, following a thorough review of the circumstances, no legal charges are being contemplated in relation to the incident.
While such fatal occurrences are infrequent, the annals of hunting history document similar episodes. In 2018, an Alaskan hunter endured critical injuries when his associate shot a bear perched on a ridge; the creature’s subsequent descent dislodged rocks that inflicted harm upon the hunter. Similarly, in 2019, a North Carolinian hunter sustained injuries after a bear, felled from a tree by gunfire, attacked him before both plummeted from a precipice. The hunter survived after receiving medical attention, whereas the bear was later discovered deceased.
These incidents underscore the inherent perils associated with bear hunting, particularly when the animals seek elevation as a defensive maneuver. The combination of significant animal mass and the force of gravity can precipitate hazardous situations for individuals positioned within the vicinity. It is imperative for hunting parties to exercise heightened vigilance and adhere strictly to safety protocols to mitigate the risks inherent in such endeavors.