Welcome to the club and THANK YOU for your service! Like Saute86 said, you shouldn't have any problems with gators where you are at. We do have several down where I am from but the only problem that I have ever had with them is them seem to LOVE orange corks when I am brim fishing! I have had to leave more than one bream bed b/c they kept coming after my cork! Other than that, I have not had any problems with them while fishing........Duck hunting, well that is another story! I have stepped on more than one and had one actually come in the boat with me to get my ducks, God rest her soul!