Muzzy, its most likely food rather than genetics that keeps 'mountain deer' from getting real big.
Maybe, maybe not. Explain Canadian whitetails. A lot of massive bucks taken there each year and not a crop field to be had. My opinion is its a combination of the two, but more influenced from food quality.
genetically freak deer that never get bigger than 6's have to be an extreme minority
I agree with this.
I honestly don't see our hunting getting much better either way. We will never be an illinois, kansas or any mid-west caliber state for that matter. I think our quality can improve, but not like some think.
Who knows, maybe in 10 or 20 years PA will be like Kansas. If you don't have a lease, own property or hunt a regulated ranch with an outfitter, you probably arent' going to be hunting that year.