MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Deer season is opening across Alabama for hunters who use guns, and the state has an online service to help them keep track of their kills.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ online form allows hunters to provide information about the deer they kill to help better manage the deer population. It also lets them track their own harvests over time.

The agency says the information helps wildlife biologists by providing information needed to create management plans that promote a healthy herd.

Officials want hunters to report their harvests as soon as possible. They can get started submitting the data by visiting the hunting section of outdooralabama.com.

Saturday is the first day of gun season across the state. It ends in January.