I am all for letting 1 1/2 year old bucks go, but I believe that the restrictions that we have are not as good for the herd as many think. In my opinion, if you let spikes and threes go and then kill the fours, sixes, and eights you have taken the better bucks from that age class. In fact, I read some data recently that suggested that while we might have more bucks now in Mississippi, but the average total antler measurements for 2 1/2 year old bucks has actually decreased 15 -20%. (Don' t ask me to tell you where I read it, cause for the life of me, I can' t remember).
The best thing about the restrictions put in place was that it caused more people to let young bucks walk. I personally don' t shoot anything without a 15" spread (and I haven' t killed a buck in 2 years!) I think it is time to raise the bar higher, therefore protecting more of the 1 1/2 year old bucks.
Just a po man' s .02
By the way, Russ, I moved from the Delta to South Ms two years ago, and I miss the hunting terribly!