We were seeing some nice bucks back in the thick stuff before "buck management".But throughout the state I'd say without a doubt hunters are shooting bigger bucks.There's alot going on here to contribute,less deer=more food,antler restrictions,more private land owners practicing QDM
via foodplots,{protein grows bigger racks}.Many are reporting less bucks in places like the NC but the deer populations have greatly been reduced so that's a given.As for the herd reductions in some areas changes are needed.There's places that need more reductions and places that were overharvested.
To answer your question "is the state going in the right direction"
That would be a matter of opinion which might depend on where one is hunting.My short answer would be possibly.If some changes are made in areas overharvested then yes I think we can head in the right direction.