RE: How big is a 3 year old buck?
You've confirmed my suspicion from hunting videos that bucks in KS, MO, IA, IL, etc. (the midwest) grow bigger at a younger age.
I have to say I question the genetics idea, though. Maybe it's a factor, but has it been proven scientifically? I think food quality has a lot more to do with it, with a dash of winter severity thrown in.