The anter restrictions are now providing it. For those that have been hunting for 15 years or more, think back. It was nothing that on the first day of rifle season to see 30+ deer in a day. Right? Out of those deer that you saw 99% of those deer where doe or button bucks. Now fastforward to today. In a season (Archery and Rifle) I may only see 30 - 40 deer total. But what I am seeing is a mix of about 3 - 1 doe to buck ratio. About every 3 bucks that I see, one is a shooter by state standards. Does anter restrictions work yes for those that want to see more bigger bucks, but if you want to see 30+ deer when in the woods then no antler restrictions don't.
Even 25 years ago our adult breeding B/D ratio was around 1:2 and now it may be around 1:1.75 and that difference would not be noticed by a hunter in the field. As yet their is no evidence that ARs have produced the predicted results of higher breeding rates or productivity.
Here is another thing to think about. What is the average weight of the deer that are taken now as to then? I don't have the proof right now, but I would have to say that the bucks are averaging over 140 lbs now to back then they averaged maybe 110. That to me is a sign of a healthier herd.
As yet, there is no credible evidence that shows the average weight or antler size of 2.5+ buck has increase. Any increase in the weight of the average buck being harvested can be attributed to the fact that it is illegal to harvest the smaller buck in each age class. There is also no evidence that shows the health of our herd ,as defined by the PGC ,has improved.