A Virginia man died when a bullet fired by one of his hunting buddies hit a bear in a tree, state wildlife officials said.
The incident happened Dec. 9 in Lunenburg County, which is between Richmond and Danville, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources said in a statement.
The department said a hunting group was chasing the bear when it climbed a tree. As the group retreated from the tree, a hunter shot the bear. The animal fell on the other hunter who was standing about 10 feet away from the bottom of the tree.
The department identified the man as Lester C. Harvey, 58, of Phenix, Virginia. A member of the group provided first aid before Harvey was taken to two different hospitals. The wildlife department said he died of his injuries on Friday.
One obituary for harveyThe married father of five with eight grandchildren said he was a self-employed contractor and avid outdoorsman. According to his obituary, his funeral is scheduled for Thursday.
Similar incidents have happened in recent years.
a man in 2018 alaska He was seriously injured after his hunting partner shot a bear on a hill. The animal fell down a slope onto the man, who was also struck by rocks thrown up by the bear.
Another man was injured in 2019 when his hunting partner shot a bear in a tree in North Carolina. The bear fell from the tree and started biting the hunter. Then the man and the animal fell off a cliff. The hunter was taken to hospital, while the bear was later found dead.
according to tAccording to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, black bears are found throughout much of the state and at least 92 of Virginia's 98 counties and cities.
the department says It is illegal to maim, harm, or remove a bear from a tree with the intent to continue hunting, stalking, or training dogs.
“The department is not seeking any charges related to this incident at this time,” VDWR officials said. according to CBS affiliate WTVR.