GORDON, Wis. - Saturday was Wisconsin's firearms deer hunting opener, and thousands of eager hunters headed out into the woods.

Keeping a watchful eye, game wardens in Douglas County were looking for violations and working to keep hunters safe.

Lance Burns is a DNR game warden who monitors 700 square miles in northern Wisconsin.

On a day like Saturday's opener, that means he's got plenty of work to do.

On Saturday Burns spent hours stopping hunters, checking their licenses and guns,and  making sure they stay safe.

"Ninety-eight percent of the hunters are out here to have fun," Burns said. "They know what the laws are. They follow the laws. They're good people, they're family people. It's like anything in society, there's just a small percentage that aren't following the law."

Illegal baiting and feeding has become Burns' No. 1 violation concern.

In Wisconsin, hunters are allowed up to two gallons of bait to attract deer. Put out more than that, and your bait might show up in surveillance photos on Burns' computer screen.

Burns says more hunters are starting to use darker-colored baits, like sunflower seeds, because they're harder to spot from the air.

If you do get caught with illegal bait, an uncased rifle in your vehicle or without any blaze orange, be prepared to pay.

"Probably the cheapest citation that you can get during the hunting season is going to run nearly $200," said Burns.

Get caught with an illegal bait and you could be looking at a fine of $500.

Why so expensive?

Partly to remind hunters safety is No. 1.

Burns says there has yet to be a deer gun season in Wisconin without at least one fatality.

He hopes this year will be his safest yet.

"If I could have a season like that, I've done my job and I am very happy," said Burns.

Burns says he doesn't stop anyone unless he has a reason too.

Even if that reason is just to ask how the hunt is going.

"Are we having any luck?" Burns asked hunters. "You guys seen anything at all this year?"

While many told him, "No," others didn't walk away empty handed.

"Nice deer," Burns said as he looked over one hunter's quarry.

Another increasingly common violation seen by Wisconsin game wardens is what they call cabin shooting.

Hunters will set up illegal baits and spotlights outside their cabins, wait for deer and shoot them – sometimes without even stepping outside.

Wisconsin's firearm deer season runs though Nov. 29.

Sunday is the last day of Minnesota's gun deer season.

Michigan's continues until Nov. 30.