There aren't many animals in the Pennsylvania woods that are likely to hunt the hunter.

But last month, Scott Fassinger of Upper Burrell and Blaine Homistek of Uniontown went on a risky alligator hunt using arrows and a spear. Each got a 10-foot, 600-pound gator, and one of the critters nearly got a piece of Fassinger's leg.

The plan was to bow hunt for wild axis deer on a 2,000-acre ranch in Florida, and Fassinger took home a nice axis trophy.

"They asked if we also were interested in alligator hunting," he said, "and we said sure."

Riding through the swamps at night in an air boat, gator eyes glowed red in the flashlight beam, he said.. Homistek drew his bow and shot one with an arrow tipped with a gator rig attached to a cable and buoy, finishing it off with a crack from a 45-caliber bang stick.

"I had the same tip on a spear," said Fassinger. "When they get to the surface and see the boat ... they start freaking out, biting on the boat. Mine jumped up on the boat and snapped at my leg. Luckily, the guy running the boat has his head lamp on the gator or he would have got me. Missed me by 4 inches."

Fassinger and Homistek had the meat processed, frozen and shipped home. They plan to mount the hides and heads.

"I'm thinking of getting a seat cover for my motorcycle made out of it," said Fassinger.