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Recreation

Virginia Hunter Killed in Tragic Bear-Fall Accident During Hunt

Wendy Alferez

2 weeks ago

A tragic hunting accident in Virginia has left a family grieving and a community stunned. Lester Clayton Harvey, Jr., 58, of Lunenburg County, died on Dec. 13, 2024, after suffering injuries when a bear, shot during a hunt, fell from a tree and struck him.

Harvey was part of a hunting group on Dec. 9, tracking a black bear through Virginia’s woodlands, home to one of the East Coast’s most robust black bear populations. As the bear climbed a tree to escape, one of the hunters fired a shot, causing the animal to fall. Standing just 10 feet away, Harvey was struck by the bear’s full weight, sustaining severe injuries that would ultimately prove fatal.

Immediate Response and Escalating Tragedy

A fellow hunter provided immediate first aid, working urgently until emergency responders arrived. Harvey was transported to a local hospital and later transferred to VCU Medical Center in Richmond, where he remained in critical condition for several days. Despite intensive medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on Dec. 13, leaving behind a wife, five children, and eight grandchildren.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources described the incident as a devastating reminder of the inherent risks associated with hunting. Hunting is a pastime deeply ingrained in Virginia’s culture, but the unpredictable nature of wildlife always poses a risk, no matter how experienced the hunter may be.


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