RE: genetics, traits, in your area
Around here 8 points are the norm. Bucks will start out at 1.5 as spikes to basket sixes or eights, but they all more often times than not will have an 8 point frame. It's hard to tell what they do when they get older because a 3.5 year old is still pretty rare, but it's getting better. The tines are usually fairly high, but an 18"+ spread is considered wide. There are 10s, 12s, etc., but the 8 point main frame is the norm.
Every once in a while a real giant will get tagged, so the genetics are there, but as someone mentioned the age structure has to be allowed to mature.