By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Lester C. Harvey Jr., a 58-year-old Virginia man, died from injuries sustained after being struck by a bear that fell from a tree. The incident occurred when hunters, having chased a bear into the tree, shot the animal causing it to fall and hit Harvey. Despite receiving immediate first aid and hospitalization, Harvey succumbed to his injuries. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources concluded its investigation without pursuing any charges.
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A Virginia father of five, Lester C. Harvey Jr., tragically lost his life in a hunting accident with a truly unusual twist. He was participating in a bear hunt when the events took a grim, unexpected turn. The group pursued the bear, driving it up a tree.
The hunters then fired shots at the bear in the tree. This action, while seemingly effective in momentarily halting the bear, set the stage for a tragic consequence stemming from a fundamental misunderstanding of physics. The injured bear, succumbing to its wounds, fell from the tree.
The falling bear landed directly on Harvey, causing fatal injuries. The sheer weight of the bear proved too much, resulting in an instantaneous and violent death. The incident highlights a critical flaw in the hunting strategy employed by the group, underscoring the unpredictable dangers inherent in pursuing wildlife, particularly large and powerful animals like bears.
The incident raises many questions about hunting ethics and safety. The decision to shoot a bear already cornered in a tree is considered by many to be dubious, bordering on irresponsible. This practice raises serious ethical concerns regarding the treatment of animals and demonstrates a lack of respect for the creature’s inherent right to self-preservation.
Beyond the ethical considerations, the hunters’ complete disregard for the laws of physics is astounding. Shooting upward into a tree, with the potential for a falling animal to inflict harm, displays a serious lack of foresight and planning. The potential for stray bullets to cause injury or harm to others is also a factor that should have been considered. The consequences of such reckless behavior proved tragically fatal for Harvey.
The obituary described Harvey as an avid outdoorsman and a friendly man, someone who “never met a stranger.” This paints a picture of a man who enjoyed the natural world and valued human connection. Ironically, the encounter that ended his life involved a large, powerful animal and an ultimately fatal miscalculation.
The lack of any charges filed against the hunters underscores the complexities of wildlife-related incidents. While the accident was undeniably tragic, the authorities appear to have recognized the inherent risks involved in hunting and the unintentional nature of the outcome. The death, while undeniably unfortunate, doesn’t seem to warrant legal repercussions, though many people find it morally reprehensible.
The incident has sparked intense debate online. Some express a lack of sympathy for Harvey, highlighting the inherent dangers of hunting and the hunter’s role in the event. They point out that hunting large game is inherently risky, and hunters accept this risk when they participate in such activities. Others express outrage at the hunters’ methods, highlighting the recklessness of their actions.
Many comments focus on the choice of treeing the bear, using dogs to corner it, and then shooting up at it. This tactic is seen as unfair, akin to using dynamite to catch fish—highly inefficient and potentially extremely dangerous. The consensus among many is that the hunters’ actions were reckless, unethical, and ultimately led to Harvey’s tragic death.
Regardless of opinion on hunting, this accident underscores the potential dangers involved in the pursuit of wildlife. The incident is a stark reminder that nature is unpredictable, and even seemingly controlled situations can have unintended and fatal consequences. The combination of high-risk hunting practices, a disregard for basic physics, and the inherent power of nature created a confluence of factors that resulted in Harvey’s death. This is a tragic reminder of the risks involved in even the most experienced hunter’s pursuit of wild game. The weight of the bear, the physics of a falling body, and the unpredictable nature of the hunt itself came together in a lethal combination. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the inherent dangers of hunting and the importance of safety and responsible practices.