Some recordshave stood for a long time, from old photos I have deer werebigger back than.
There was not the pressure there is today. More big bucks, more people hunting them.

In the wild(free) there are still very few deer that reach 5.5. Once they get a decent set of head gear they are a target.
How many record book bucks where shot this year?

Milo still standing and so is the archery record, since the 60's.

Food is a key, but age is still the main factor IMO.