I can't believe that you guys are still debating this. Geographically speaking there is no level playing field. There are mineral rich areas and then there are the other areas. It takes various minerals to make up what is the fastest growing tissue/bone, so some areas produce better bucks. Age is one of the 3 variables that determine how much horn a deer is gonna have but it is second togenetics and third to nutrition. That being said genetics is one variable that is probably the least understood. There are but a few states that have there "original" genetics. Being a taxidermist, I have learned that here in NC we have transplanted deer from all over. How do I know this? Size differences. Deer just 2 hours from here are built differently than deer in my region, and deer a few hours east are different than both of them. So Jeff is in an area that lacks all 3, so what? Is Jeff happy hunting where he is? Guess so he still hunts there. Good luck Jeff.