Hey Bt,
I am a yankee myself, just moved to Florida this summer with the job. I live next to Sarasotta in Bradenton. There is no shortage of gators around here. They get into just about every puddle and pond there is. It is Jan 31 and I saw several this week. The hog hunting is fun for us northerners and you can hunt them year round as they are considered a pain in the britches down here. The wild hog taste better than domestic hog you buy in the store as long as you get a sow. If you get a boar I would try to limit it to less than 150 lbs. It is also better if you don't get them with dogs because their hormones is what gives them a bad taste. Good luck and have fun.