Still in its prime were the days in the petrol green, springy woodlands of Lunenburg County, Virginia, which was a seasoned hunting party setting out what looked like on a routine expedition.
Included among them was Lester C. Harvey Jr., 58, a self employed contractor of Phenix, Virginia, who loved the outdoors.
The day’s challenges wouldn’t have surprised the group, an experienced team of black bear hounds that know how to stay on elusive black bear coattails.
Though they wandered the forest, they had one success cornering a black bear so that it climbed a tall tree.
The hunters gathered around the tree and prepared themselves, retreating to what they thought was away from the tree that was as safe as possible.
From below, Harvey Jr. stood about ten feet from the base of the tree, watching the bear’s movements.
The group determined what it would do next, and one of the men took aim carefully to make the shot.
It struck the bear, and it was a series of devastating, unforeseen events.
When he hit the bear, the bear lost his grip and he fell from the tree’s high branches. A sad twist had the massive animal landing directly on Harvey Jr. Injuring him badly.
Immediately a member of the hunting group started to administer first aid and the group called for emergency services.
Harvey Jr. was taken to VCU South Hill, then on to VCU Medical Center in Richmond for advanced treatment.
His injuries were initially described as being in ‘serious but stable condition’ before they proved too severe. However, Harvey Jr. died four days after the incident from his injuries, on December 13, 2024.
An investigation was conducted by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources into the accident.
According to their report, the group was in the tree with the bear and had taken steps to stay safe when the animal was shot.
“The Department is not currently seeking any charges related to this incident,” Shelby Crouch, a department spokesperson, said. The event was a rare and unpredictable tragedy, the findings suggest.
A dedicated outdoorsman and beloved member of his community, Harvey Jr. was remembered. He was ‘a friend to all and never met a stranger,’ an obituary read.
He is survived by his wife, three sons, two daughters and eight grandchildren. One of his sons, Josh, who was there during the hunt, said in a statement: ‘He is a legend in our family and will remain so till eternity.’
“Dad was doing what he loved most, bear hunting with me and some of his good friends, when he was injured, Josh wrote.” “I love you, Dad. We had some great times. I am so blessed to have made these memories.”
Daughter of Harvey Jr. said she was grieving, writing: ‘Dad was the hardest worker I know. Either working or hunting, he was. He only missed work to hunt. There are ways I’m broken that I didn’t even know. Please pray for us.”
We are in support of the grieving family as they try to start their lives again. Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church will hold Harvey Jr.’s funeral service on December 19, 2024.
The debate of the dangers of hunting, even for the most experienced, has reignited. It’s true that protocols and safety measures are in place, but wildlife is unpredictable.
It’s not the only time hunters and bears have apparently met with fatal consequences. Last year, an Alaska hunter was critically injured when a bear fell on him after being shot by a partner.
For example, in 2019, a North Carolina hunter was injured in almost similar circumstances. This is the unpredictability of large game hunting, and the need to always be aware.
That’s a stark reminder to the community as it mourns Lester C. Harvey Jr.
At the same time, it underscores a need to continue talking about improving hunting safety practices.
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