Some Vermont hunters are upset by Department of Fish and Wildlife plans to nearly double the number of antlerless deer permits that will be issued for this fall’s hunting season.
The goal of the additional permits is to help reduce the size of the state’s deer herd, which biologists feel is too large.
The 14-member Fish and Wildlife Board has given the first of three needed approvals to increase the number of antler-less permits to 22,000. That’s nearly double the number issued in 2007.
Biologists say the number of deer are well beyond the environmental carrying capacity, especially in the western part of the state.
Biologists say taking 20 to 30 percent of does annually from a population is a proven method of herd control.