A Virginia hunting trip ended in a fatal accident after a black bear that had climbed a tree fell onto one of the hunters below. Lester C. Harvey, 58, of Phenix, Virginia, later died from the injuries he suffered in the incident.
What happened in Lunenburg County
The incident took place on December 9, 2024, in Lunenburg County, between Richmond and Danville. According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, a group of hunters was following a bear when the animal ran up a tree.
As the group moved away from the base of the tree, one hunter shot the bear. The animal then fell approximately 10 feet and struck Harvey, who was standing near the tree. Another member of the group provided first aid before fire and emergency medical personnel arrived.
Harvey was taken to a hospital and later transferred to another facility for treatment. He died from his injuries on December 13, four days after the accident. Officials said no charges were being pursued in connection with the incident.
A family left mourning
Harvey was a husband, father of five and grandfather of eight. His obituary described him as a self-employed contractor and an avid outdoorsman. Family and friends remembered him as a welcoming person who enjoyed spending time outside.
The tragedy has drawn attention because the fatal impact did not come from a deliberate bear attack. The bear was being pursued, climbed the tree while trying to escape, and was shot before its fall caused the deadly injury. The available reports do not describe the animal attacking Harvey.
A reminder of the risks involved
Wild animals can behave unpredictably when cornered or pursued, and a bear in a tree remains a powerful, heavy animal even when it appears trapped. Shooting from or near a tree can create risks that are difficult to control, including the animal’s movement after it is hit and the danger to people positioned below.
This was an accident, but it also raises broader questions about the risks and ethics of turning an encounter with wildlife into a hunt. In this case, Harvey’s family lost a loved one, and the bear lost its life as well. The outcome was devastating for both.
Sources
- Associated Press report on the Virginia incident
- 13News Now report citing Virginia wildlife officials
- MeatEater report with additional details and DWR comments
