MOIRA (AP) — A Franklin County man is recovering after being attacked by a 10-point buck while he was loading firewood.

Authorities say 56-year-old Gerald Dabiew was cut and bruised from head to toe by the buck outside his house in Moira.

Dabiew's house is surrounded by woods, so he didn't think twice when he saw the buck crossing the road — until the animal charged and knocked him down.

Dabiew — who says he doesn't hunt — wrapped his legs around the animal's neck and held onto its antlers as it battered him. The attack on Friday lasted several minutes before the buck ran off.

He says wood he was dropping into a bucket could have sounded like the antlers of jousting deer knocking together, a noise hunters often mimic to lure deer during rutting season.