A Virginia man has died after a bear in a tree shot by considered one of his looking companions fell on him, state wildlife officers mentioned.
The incident occurred Dec. 9 in Lunenburg County, which is between Richmond and Danville, Virginia’s Department of Wildlife Resources mentioned in an announcement.
A looking group was following the bear when it ran up the tree, the division mentioned. As the group retreated from the tree, a hunter shot the bear. The animal fell onto one other hunter who was standing about 10 toes from the underside of the tree.
The division recognized the person as Lester C. Harvey, 58, of Phenix, Virginia. A member of the group rendered first support earlier than Harvey was rushed to 2 completely different hospitals. He died from his accidents Friday, the wildlife division acknowledged.
An obituary for Harvey, a married father of 5 with eight grandchildren, mentioned he was a self-employed contractor and avid outdoorsman. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday, in line with his obituary.
Similar incidents have occurred lately.
In 2018, a person in Alaska was critically injured after his looking associate shot a bear on a ridge. The animal tumbled down a slope into the person, who was additionally struck by rocks dislodged by the bear.
Another man was injured in 2019 after his looking associate shot a bear in a tree in North Carolina. The bear fell out of the tree and commenced biting the hunter. The man and the animal then tumbled off a cliff. The hunter was taken to a hospital, whereas the bear was later discovered lifeless.
According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, black bears are discovered all through many of the state and have been situated in not less than 92 of Virginia’s 98 counties and cities.
The department says that it’s unlawful “to cripple, hurt or dislodge a bear from a tree for the intent of constant a hunt, chase, or for the aim of coaching canines.”
“The Department just isn’t presently looking for any fees associated to this incident,” VDWR officers mentioned, according to CBS affiliate WTVR.
