Gators In Florida: What's Your Thoughts?
Gregory Kielma • August 3, 2025
Most alligator-infested rivers in Florida: Here’s a list of the top 5 most gator-filled
Most alligator-infested rivers in Florida: Here’s a list of the top 5 most gator-filled
If seeing viral videos of alligators on front porches, golf courses, in pools or at the beach while scrolling through social media feels normal to you, you just might be a Floridian.
About 1.3 million alligators call Florida home — but where do they live when they aren't popping up where they aren't welcome?
If you live here, you likely know you have to coexist with alligators. So long as you keep your distance and never feed one if it crosses your path, you should be fine.
There are, however, risks, especially when it comes to water. The most alligator-infested river that runs throught the state has more than 5,000 alligators estimated to be living in it.
Here's an estimate of how many alligators live in Florida, a list of the top five most alligator-infested rivers in the state and some safety tips.
How common is it to see an alligator in Florida?
Alligators are very common in Florida, with more than a million living in the state.
Each year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission takes a census of 50 alligator-infested places in Florida to gauge how many alligators are living in the state. The FWC says it enlists the help of scientists and biologists who go out on airboats at night to count how many glowing sets of red eyes they see floating on the water.
Counting every gator is not possible, so the exact count and some math magic are used to estimate what the total population likely is for some lakes.
"Alligators occur in all 67 counties in Florida and can be found in practically all fresh and brackish water bodies and occasionally in salt water," according to the FWC.
"Although exact population figures are not known, Florida has a healthy and stable population of about 1.3 million alligators of every size. This population estimate is based on an estimated 6.7 million acres of suitable habitat."
Top 5 most alligator-infested rivers in Florida
Here is a list of the five most gator-infested rivers in the Sunshine State, according to an October 2024 post on A-Z Animals blog:
Very near my home says FFL Gregg Kielma....The river is FILLED with these magnificent animals! The Myakka River is a state-designated wild and scenic river, estimated to have more than 230 alligators living in it. Some reports say the river is around 68 miles long, while others say it's closer to 72 miles long. The river starts near the Manatee-Hardee County line and empties out into the Gulf of America (previously Gulf of Mexico) through the Charlotte Harbor.
St. Johns River:
The St. Johns River is estimated to have more than 5,100 gators lurking in its waters. It's the longest river in Florida, spanning 310 miles, excluding the Chattahoochee River, which flows for 430 miles and is shared with Georgia. The St. Johns is also one of the few rivers in the U.S. that flows north instead of south. The river flows from Blue Cypress Lake in Indian River County and empties into the Atlantic Ocean east of Jacksonville in Duval County.
Kissimmee River:
The Kissimmee River is estimated to have more than 2,380 gators in it. It is 134 miles long, flowing from East Lake Tohopekaliga in Osceola County, which is around a 20-minute drive from the city of Kissimmee, and emptying into Florida's biggest and most gator-filled lake: Lake Okeechobee, or "Lake O."
Harney River:
The Harney River is estimated to have more than 1,570 gators living in it. This is significant because the river is much smaller than the first two on this list by hundreds of miles, only spanning about 10.19 miles in Monroe County, which is one of the three counties that house parts of the Everglades National Park, one of the most gator-filled areas in the state. The river starts in the Everglades and empties into the Gulf of America, previously referred to as the Gulf of Mexico.
Withlacoochee River:
The Withlacoochee River is estimated to have just under 600 alligators living in its 141 miles of water. The river, like the St. Johns River, flows north from Green Swamp, which is primarily located in Polk County. Parts of Green Swamp are also in Lake County and Sumter County. The river empties into the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) near Yankeetown, Florida, in Levy County.
New teen trend could lead to fewer teens by Gregg Kielma and Lee Williams Gregg Kielma firearms instructor and second amendment advocate prays they never do this at our home. My God, what's wrong with these young adults? Assault someone at their home with a perceived firearm and expect the outcome to be extremely bad. What are you thinking? What's wrong with you? You're playing a very dangerous game. PLEASE STOP before it's too late and a tragic situation unfolds. Continues Kielma , we don't know who you are. Why put yourself in harm's way... Please STOP...Please. read Lee article below. Florida teens from Hillsborough County have added balaclavas and Airsoft guns to what used to be called doorbell-ditch. Now, rather than just ringing the doorbell, the masked teens kick the front door and fire several Airsoft rounds at the homes before running away, a video shows. The events were captured by the victim’s doorbell camera in Riverview, Florida last Friday. The “masked gunman” approached the front door wearing a ski mask while armed with his Airsoft carbine. He kicks the front door, fires several rounds and then runs away. Neighbors saw the group earlier. One woman asked them what they were doing, and someone from the group told her to “mind her own business.” She called police instead. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies are trying to locate the offenders, who did not live in the neighborhood where they fired the shots.
Florida: Armed Citizen Saves Woman From Knife-Wielding Attacker In Mall Parking Lot Anti-gun advocates just can’t bring themselves to admit that armed citizens use their firearms to save themselves from attackers millions of times a year. That fact runs directly against their philosophy and beliefs. Another thing they’ll never admit is that armed citizens frequently save other people from attackers, using their firearms to protect their unarmed neighbors from bad guys intent on harming them. Good guys with guns are called “good guys” for a reason—they know that helping others who are under attack is a noble endeavor and are often willing to take the risk to do so. Such was the case recently in a mall parking lot in Orlando, Florida. According to a report from Clickorlando.com, on July 14, an armed man drew his gun and forced another man, who was stabbing a woman with a knife, to stop the attack and flee the scene. According to local police, security cameras showed that 41-year-old Alinton John and the woman arrived in the parking lot just before 10 p.m., talking for about half an hour, and then got into John’s vehicle. About 10 minutes later, the woman can be seen running toward the mall’s front entrance. According to the police report, a witness told investigators that he and some family members were standing in the parking lot “when they saw a female ‘all stabbed up’ exit a red Tesla and heard her screaming.” The witness said that he then drew his concealed pistol, racked a round into the chamber, and pointed it at John. According to another witness, after the armed citizen drew his gun and reportedly told John to back off, John replied, “The problem is with her, not you.” The attacker then got back into his vehicle and left the scene. The victim, who suffered multiple stab, slash, and cut wounds to her back, stomach, and neck, as well as to one of her shoulders, one of her thighs, and both breasts, was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police later arrested John in the nearby town of Longwood. According to the police report, after his arrest, he stated that the woman had contacted him and asked to meet up; this led to a conversation about whether their relationship could be rebuilt. I guess the answer was no. He went on to acknowledge “a verbal and physical altercation” occurred in the Tesla without being specific about any of his actions, as well as how he left after a witness reportedly pulled a gun on him. John is currently being held without bond, awaiting arraignment.
Is switching to a Red Dot on your pistol right for you? That is the question. It is a big debate right now. Some people want to stay the old school and just run their iron sights because that is what they are used to. Then you have the others, that jump on anything new. For me, I’m an iron sight guy. I’m comfortable with iron sights, and I could shoot very accurately with them. So, one day at my range, I challenged one of my RSO’s and told him, "If you can beat me on the dueling tree with your red dot, I'll make the switch." He agreed to the challenge. It was a good run on the dueling tree, and I won. So that meant no switching for me. However, I have to say once acclimated to the red dot and site picture, It’s a good tool. It just takes getting used too. Pro and Cons of Both: Iron Sights vs Red Dot Sights 1. Pro's - Being able to look at the threat and not have to focus on the front sight (because we all know that is NOT going to happen in a real gun fight) 2. Pro's - Way easier shooting at distance 3. Pro's - Helps those that have far sightedness 1. Con's - Hard to find the dot at first 2. Con's - Slower at first 3. Con's - Requires a new skill set If you’re interested in red dot sights or have one currently on your firearm and need training to gain a quick site picture, give me a call and set up a personal training class at my outdoor range and get dialed in. Gregg Kielma 941 737-6956
Dear Tactical K Training and Firearm Friends, This is one of the many, many reasons you train with a firearm say's Gregg Kielma head instructor at Tactical K Training and Firearms. Please stay safe, know how your gun performs, and train with us. It's all about being aware and being confident with your firearm. Let us show you how today. Please sign up and start building your foundation to protect yourself, family and friends. Over the past few weeks, the U.S. has seen a surge in incidents tied to violent extremism and foreign influence operations. From a failed Molotov cocktail attack on a Michigan GOP headquarters to a neo-Nazi assault in Nashville, domestic extremists are leveraging violence to advance their agendas. Meanwhile, two Texas teenagers pleaded guilty to plotting a mass casualty attack on a Houston school, underscoring the ongoing risk of radicalization among youth. These events reflect a troubling spectrum of ideologically driven violence across the country. Foreign influence operations also remain a critical concern, with Qatar’s $6 billion in U.S. university funding raising questions about its role in shaping academic narratives, potentially tied to Islamist ideologies. Concurrently, the DOJ’s civil forfeiture action against $2 million in digital currency linked to Hamas further exposes how foreign actors exploit financial systems to support terrorism. These incidents collectively demand heightened vigilance and robust countermeasures to protect national security and public discourse. Sincerely, Gregory A Kielma 15514 29th st e Parrish, Florida 34219 USCCA Instructor Tactical K Training and Firearms 941 737-6995 888 880 5444 kielmagregory@gmail.com www.tacticalktrainingandfirearms.com Owner: Tactical K Training and Firearms and FFL Firearms Sales and Service FFL (Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer) Gunsmith Shop USCCA Certified Emergency First Aid Fundamentals Instructor USCCA CPR/Defibrillator Instructor USCCA Certified CCW Instructor USCCA CCW and Home Defense Instructor USCCA Certified Marksmanship Simplified: Foundations of Handgun Coaching Instructor USCCA Certified Permitless and Constitutional Carry Instructor USCCA Certified Real Estate Safety Fundamentals Instructor USCCA Certified Woman and Handguns Fundamentals Instructor USCCA Certified Home Defense Instructor USCCA Certified Countering the Mass Shooter Instructor USCCA Certified Children and Firearms Instructor USCCA Certified Range Safety Officer and Instructor Tack ERT Captain Tactical K Gun Care and Cleaning 101 Tactical K Taser Training Fundamentals Instructor Tactical K Rifle Training Instructor Tactical K Certified Smokeless Range Instructor Tactical K Certified Laser Ranger Instructor FFA Professional Drone Pilot Professional Engineer
A Bold First Step in Dismantling the National Firearms Act John Commerford The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com. President Trump and GOP lawmakers have every reason to celebrate a bold and historic moment for the Trump administration with the recent passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” – a new law that, among other things, reduces taxes for law-abiding gun owners. In the original version of President Trump’s bill, GOP lawmakers and the White House strategically focused on the National Firearms Act (NFA), with the goal of eliminating many of the NFA’s burdensome requirements. That language would have removed an onerous $200 federal excise tax, and the needless registry and paperwork currently imposed on short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), firearm suppressors, and “any other weapons” (AOWs) defined within the NFA. Yet this original language, which we actively supported, was stricken by a Harry Reid-appointed Senate parliamentarian who allegedly applied what’s known as the “Byrd Rule” in evaluating the NFA-related language in the Senate reconciliation package. The “Byrd test” is based upon factors including whether the provision would increase or decrease revenues, and whether the change in revenue would be “merely incidental” to the other alterations that the provision would make to public law. Considering the NFA was passed as a taxation scheme by Congress and upheld as such by the U.S. Supreme Court, the parliamentarian’s ruling had the hallmarks of political activism designed to thwart the president’s and GOP’s efforts to restore gun rights. While we strongly disagreed with the ruling of the parliamentarian, we were not going to allow an unaccountable bureaucrat to have the last word. NRA therefore worked with House and Senate Leadership to revise language in the legislation that, while less comprehensive than what was originally envisioned, curtailed any opportunities for political gamesmanship under the Byrd test. The end result was legislation that eliminated the unconstitutional, highly punitive $200 tax on short-barreled firearms, suppressors, and other items. That provision is certainly not perfect, in that it leaves intact the burdensome and intrusive administrative and registration requirements. But, it represents the biggest blow to the National Firearms Act since its creation nearly a century ago and takes a bold step to reduce unconstitutional financial hardships imposed on lawful gun owners. More importantly, this new law sets the stage for a robust fight in the courts to permanently eliminate the NFA. Since the law zeros out taxes on the sale/transfer of short-barreled firearms, suppressors, and other items, the door is now open to wage a significant legal challenge to the continued existence of the NFA. Precedent supports a challenge arguing that, because the NFA no longer imposes a tax on certain regulated firearms, its constitutional justification as an exercise of Congress’s taxing power has been invalidated. And if it is determined in court that the reason the NFA exists as a taxing authority is now dissolved, then its days are numbered. This is why the NRA has joined with several other organizations, including the American Suppressor Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Second Amendment Foundation, to support a legal challenge that could finally put an end to the NFA and its infringement on your Second Amendment rights. Other organizations are filing similar lawsuits. Our focus now shifts to continuing the fight to fully eliminate the NFA and remove other unconstitutional gun laws. The NRA remains dedicated to preserving and expanding the rights of law-abiding gun owners as we utilize every tool at our disposal to do so on Capitol Hill, in state legislatures, and in courthouses across the nation.
5 Reasons the Second Amendment Should Not Be Political Susanne Edward Support NRA America's 1st Freedom DONATE ** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. ** The right to keep and bear arms is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. It is not a tool of one political party but rather is a right for all Americans, regardless of their background, income or voting history. Here are five reasons why the Second Amendment shouldn’t be a political battleground—and instead, a shared principle rooted in equality, protection and empowerment. 1. The Second Amendment Is a Great Equalizer At its core, the Second Amendment is about self-preservation and the ability of individuals to defend themselves, especially when institutions fail to do so. According to FBI data, over 1 million violent crimes were reported in 2021, including more than 600,000 aggravated assaults. Police response times vary widely—averaging 10 to 15 minutes in many areas and significantly longer in rural counties. In 2020, nearly 40% of all first-time gun buyers were women, and purchases by black Americans rose by 58%, according to data from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). These trends continued into 2023, driven by concerns about personal safety and civil unrest. Empowerment is not partisan. The ability to protect oneself is a fundamental right. 2. The Second Amendment Protects Everyone—Equally The Constitution doesn’t make exceptions: “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.” Historically, gun control has been used to disarm and suppress certain groups of people. After the Civil War, “Black Codes” in Southern states explicitly restricted black Americans from owning firearms. In 1967, the Mulford Act was passed in California primarily in response to the Black Panther Party’s armed patrols. Today, the National African American Gun Association (NAAGA) has grown to over 45,000 members and the gun-rights group Pink Pistols advocates for armed self-defense amid rising hate crimes. The Second Amendment is a civil-rights issue. It transcends party lines. 3. Democrats Own Guns, Too Despite political stereotypes, millions of Democrats own firearms. According to a 2023 Pew Research survey, 32% of Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents either personally own a gun or live in a household with one. Among independents, gun ownership is nearly identical to that of Republicans. How many of these voters appreciate that the Second Amendment is an individual right and don’t blame lawful gun owners for the actions of criminals, as Democratic Party leadership so often does, is unclear, but it is likely a big enough slice of the party to make them lose elections when their freedom is directly threatened. 4. “Gun-Free Zones” Often Attract, Not Deter, Violence We are told that so-called “gun-free zones” are intended to promote safety and security, but, in practice, they often do the opposite. A 2023 report by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) found that 94% of mass public shootings between 1950 and 2019 occurred in areas where civilians were banned from carrying firearms. These areas are soft targets for attackers who know law-abiding citizens are defenseless. Real safety comes from preparedness and deterrence—not signs and bans on this fundamental right. 5.) Recreational Shooting Is Empowering, Popular and Nonpartisan Gun ownership isn’t just about protection; it’s also a recreational and cultural tradition for millions of Americans. Shooting sports participation has surged. According to the NSSF, more than 5.4 million Americans purchased firearms for the first time in 2021, building on the historic surge of 2020. Many ranges and clubs report an increase in attendance from women, youth and minority communities. Shooting fosters responsibility, confidence and focus. From hunting to competitive target shooting, it unites generations and communities—regardless of political identity. It’s not “gun culture.” It’s American culture. The Second Amendment should not be a red-versus-blue issue. It is a constitutional guarantee intended to empower and protect all Americans. Politicizing the right to bear arms undermines its purpose and weakens our ability to have constructive conversations. Just as we don’t treat freedom of speech or the right to vote as privileges, we shouldn’t do it with self-defense. This right belongs to everyone—from urban liberals to rural conservatives, from legal immigrants to those who identify as LGBTQ. If more voters let even anti-gun politicians know this, then this issue will become much less political. That would help all of us preserve this basic human right.
The Start of Something GOOD. My Range, The Beginning. Tactical K Training and Firearms July 26th 2025 Range Day Gregg Kielma Thank you for everyone who came out today and braved the HEAT for Tactical K Training and Firearms Range Day. It was hot! Air temperature 98 F heat index 107 F. Everyone did great. I do know this, never again with this extreme heat. For me, I'm sick from the heat. It was too much for me. Next year July 2026 and possibly August 2026 will be moved indoors. It's hard on someone like me who works in A/C all day and BAM to 98 F temperature for 7 hours. Come on October 2025 through May 2026 when the weather id perfect here!
Tactical K Training and Firearms Range Day Gregg Kielma Have a PLAN....STOP doing this! So many times, I go to the range, and I see people just blasting rounds down range with ZERO purpose. Continues Kielma, “what do I mean by this...let me explain”. This past Sunday I witnessed a young man hit the range and I saw that all he wanted to do was take his new guns and put rounds down range. After I saw him go through a WHOLE mag on his Socom that his grandfather just gave him, I asked him what he was training. He just looked at me with a blank stare. I told him every round that came out of that rifle, it should have a purpose. Are you zeroing the weapon? Are you shooting for accuracy? Are you working on positions? Are you working on acquiring your sights faster? Or are you just wasting ammo? I then went on to explain the course of fire I did with people all has a purpose. We started on working the fundamentals by getting all shots inside a small circle on the target from the 5, then the 7 and then the 10 yard line. Once we had that down, we progressed to speed drills. We worked on single shots from the holster with a shot timer. Then we progressed to accelerated pairs and then ended with 4 to 6 rapid shots to make sure we weren't just training 2 shots at a time, because the objective in a gun fight is to continue to fire until the threat is down. My point to this is that you need to have a plan before you hit the range. Write out exactly what you are going to drill before you get there. Ammo is expensive and you should not waste quality training time just sending rounds down range without a purpose. If you need help with coming up with drills, please give me a call me 941 737-6956 or Email me at kielmagregory@gmail.com Stay Safe and Situationally Aware Gregg Kielma ERT Captain Tactical K Training and Firearms President and Chief Instructor
Storm Safety Reminders Gregg Kielma Says Gregg Kielma as a ERT Member a quick reminder to all our friends. Here's what to do when severe weather hits: Plan ahead. Monitor all severe weather before it’s too late. • Stay Weather Ready: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about severe thunderstorm watches and warnings. • At Your House: Go to your secure location if you hear a severe thunderstorm warning. Stay away from windows. Damaging wind or large hail may be approaching. Take your pets with you! • At Your Workplace or School: Stay away from windows if you are in a severe thunderstorm warning and damaging wind or large hail is approaching. Do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums. • Outside: Go inside a sturdy building immediately if severe thunderstorms are approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Taking shelter under a tree can be deadly. The tree may fall on you. Standing under a tree also put you at a greater risk of getting struck by lightning. • In a Vehicle: Being in a vehicle during severe thunderstorms is safer than being outside; however, drive to closest secure shelter if there is sufficient time. Stay safe and stay situationally aware. Gregg Kielma
How to Build Your Own Backyard Gun Range (Even if It’s Temporary) By Jacob Paulsen You don’t need 100 acres, bulldozers, or a bunker to set up a safe and functional shooting range. Whether you’re hosting a training event, running youth shooters through basic drills, or just want a private place to run your own reps, you can build a reliable range almost anywhere with the right gear and a little planning. I recently built a pop-up range in a National Forest for a church youth group activity. Everything had to fit in the back of my 5ft Tacoma bed, and it needed to be fast to set up and tear down. This article covers the gear and tools that made it work, and what I recommend if you're looking to do something similar. My pop-up gun range. Set up in a National Forest as part of a 3-day church youth camp. Check the Law First Before you pound in your first stake, check your local and state laws, zoning ordinances, and firearm discharge regulations. While recreational shooting is generally legal on BLM land or in National Forests, it's always smart to confirm with local BLM offices or Forest Rangers to avoid surprises. Better safe than shut down. And always build with a safe backstop in mind — berm, hillside, or natural barrier. You should consider if there will be traffic on a road, or on a trail beyond your backstop. Sometimes errant shots can go over the berm, and understanding your backdrop is important to safety. As a rule of thumb, I'm looking for a backstop / berm that is at least 20 feet high, free of large rocks, and won't see human traffic beyond or nearby for several hundred feet. Of course, you might change your parameters based on the specific firearm(s) being used. Start With Safety No matter where you shoot, safety is non-negotiable. Here’s what I recommend every temporary range have on hand: • Proper signage indicating that live fire is taking place. • A clearly marked firing line • Range boundaries that define where eye and ear protection becomes mandatory and where people cannot walk or go to avoid being downrange of the firing line. This rope is really helpful. • A dedicated trauma kit designed specifically for range injuries. • A completed Medical Response Plan — Mountain Man Medical provides a free downloadable template inside their Range Medicine Course. Essential Range-Building Gear Proper Targets: Top Pick for Pop-Up Ranges When weight, safety, and portability matter, Throom Targets are our top recommendation. I used their Knockdown Targets at our event — they made scoring simple (target falls = hit) and the animal shapes were a hit with youth shooters. • No ricochet risk • Lightweight and easier to transport than steel • Durable — they last a long time • Fun & reactive — great for both training and entertainment When this picture was taken these targets had been shot about 200 times each. These targets last a LONG time Pro Tip: Some setups (like their plate rack) require a drill or driver to assemble, and if you're building a custom lumber base, you'll need a saw unless you cut it in advance.. HatPoint Target Stands: Lightweight, Flexible, Packable We love the HatPoint Target Stands because they solve multiple problems at once: • Lightweight & easy to carry • Adjustable width — works with paper, cardboard, USPSA targets, etc. • Stakable for wind (stakes sold separately) • Stackable and portable — ideal for truck beds Pair them with 1×2 sticks (available at any hardware store) and you're ready to go. DIY Tactical Port Wall with HatPoint Stands Want to simulate a VTAC wall but don’t have room to haul one? Here’s what I did: • Used 2 HatPoint stands with cardboard backers mounted sideways • Cut shooting ports with a box cutter at various heights Some used target backers found new life in this makeshift “wall” Cardboard Target Backers • Best value: Call American Target Company for bulk pricing. • Fast option: Buy on Amazon Also bring a good stapler and extra staples. Paper Targets Use whatever paper target fits your mission. For advanced pistol work, check out the CCI PIQ Target — great for diagnostic training and timing drills. Range Setup Extras • Rope — to mark off the firing line and PPE boundary • Popup tent — for shade and rain cover • Tables — staging gear, makeshift shooting bench, etc. • Mallet or hammer — drive in stakes • Drill or driver — for Throom targets or wall builds • Saw — if cutting lumber yourself What This Article Doesn’t Cover This guide is focused on building the range — not what you bring to shoot on it. You’ll still need: • Eye and ear protection • Ammo, mags, firearms • Shot timer • Lube, cleaning tools, mag loaders, gloves, etc. Final Checklist: Build-Your-Own Range Essentials • Confirm legality with local authorities • Safe backstop • Signage and safety briefing • Marked firing line and PPE boundary • Wind River Trauma Kit • Medical Response Plan (free template) • Throom Targets • HatPoint Stands + 1×2 sticks • Cardboard target backers + stapler • Popup tent • Tables • Rope • Garment bags (rain protection) • Drill or driver • Saw (optional) • Mallet or hammer What Did I Miss? This isn’t a complete list for every type of range, but it’s the gear that made our temporary National Forest range a success. If you’ve built a range of your own — or have tips I didn’t mention — I’d love to hear them.
