MARQUETTE COUNTY -- Upper Peninsula hunters are gearing up for the opening day of fire arm deer season on Tuesday, but what kind of season will this year bring?

The Department of Natural Resources says hunters should expect to see plenty of deer in the woods.  Two mild winters have helped deer populations surge and given them time to grow.

DNR officials say that deer density increases as you travel east to west with the highest concentration centering in on the south-central portion of the U.P.

If you're looking to find a buck this year, wildlife biologists say to look for the telltale signs.

"We're right in the middle of the rut, so if you're looking for bucks, bucks sign in the form of rubs and scrapes, and also where you're going to find any food at all, try to concentrate on those areas," said Terry McFadden of the DNR.

The DNR encourages anyone that bags a buck this year to bring it to their local check station which will be open all week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.