Nah, gopher snakes can be very docile. Varies from individual to individual, but for the most part they are usually pretty mellow. I used to catch them on the golf course as a kid, and keep them as pets for a while.
Would run across one from time to time that was as mean as a rattler, though! Some would even actually rattle their tails to simulate a rattlesnake. If it was sitting in some dry leaves, it could get a good rattling sound going.
Here's a wild one we came across on a hike a few summers. I caught it, he was very docile, no problem. (We just took a pic and let him on his way).
