There is, however, evidence proving that social stresses in an overpopulated herd reduces antler growth in bucks. So to say stress is not a factor in PA is an oversight on your part, IMO.
Would you mind backing up your opinion with some facts? What areas of the state have produced the most big racked bucks over the last 20 years? Is it the NC counties where the herd has been under control and the B/D ratio has been around 1:2, or is it the areas in the SW and SE where the PGC has not been able to control the herd and where we have the highest deer densities in the state?
The simple fact is that even when we had 1.6 M deer, the bucks were not subject to enough stress to effect breeding rates, productivity, recruitment , the breeding window or rack sizes.