Bambi and his friends will be looking for somewhere to hide this weekend, as today marks the start of the shotgun deer season.

Nearly 500 deer hunting licenses were handed out this year in DeKalb County, said Lt. Bill Shannon, of the department of naturalization resources. An estimated 1,200 deer will be shot before the season ends.

DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott reminds everyone to follow hunting laws.

Primarily, hunters need to stay off private property, unless they are granted permission, and also keep away from any area within 300 yards of a railroad track, Scott said.

The department of conservation will be looking out for people breaking the laws and issuing trespassing fines of up to $100, Shannon said.

Shannon reminds hunters that baiting is illegal. Baiting is the act of using apples or salt licks to entice animals into an area. Apples or salt licks can’t be set up in certain areas to attract deer. If areas like this already exist, they must be removed 10 days before hunting season, Shannon said. Another law that will be enforced is the dress code. Illinois law requires that hunters wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange while in the field, said Shannon.

Scott urges hunters to follow the laws so that everyone has a safe hunting season.