MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife says it's planning to issue 19,150 antlerless deer hunting permits that will be distributed in 16 of Vermont's 21 wildlife management units.

The number for this fall's hunting season is almost double the number of permits issued for 2015 because of the severity of the 2014-2015 winter.

The 2016 figure takes into account this year's mild winter. It is expected to result in the harvest of about 2,700 antlerless deer.

Hunting for antlerless deer is proposed statewide for the Oct. 1-28 and Dec. 3-11 archery season. One deer of either sex is allowed during the Nov. 5-6 youth weekend hunt.

Vermont deer biologist Nick Fortin says the statewide deer population at the start of hunting season is expected to be 140,000 to 145,000.