Antler mass is the product of age, nutrition and genetics. Deer require at least 18% protein in their diet for maximum growth. Alfalfa hay and cottonseed meal are rich in protein, but corn has only about 8% protein. I once hunted an area upstate N.Y. where a family of deer did not grow brow tines.

Sounds like there are some nice deer there. There are prob some monsters that are in hiding. Sounds like there is a good amount of pressure from hunting. Try to find their bedding and feeding routes. Take an afternoon to stalk through and take a peek.

What you are seeing is a product of a couple different variables. First, you are seeing the age structure. There are more young deer than older deer. Since older bucks have had to survive more hunting seasons, this makes sense right? You should always see more 1.5 year olds than 2.5 year olds, more 2.5 year olds than 3.5 year olds, etc.

The second thing you are observing is 1.5 year old buck dispersal. Young ucks have 2 dispersal periods in the year, the first is in the spring when mom kicks jr. out. The second is in the fall when older bucks run younger bucks out of the area. These bucks disperse usually travel anywhere from 1-10 miles, but movements of 20-25 miles are not uncommon. Some young bucks have even been known to go 40+ miles!

Third is what country road touched upon, young bucks are less experienced at surviving a hunting season, so they make dumb mistakes (such as traveling during daylight).

Last, unless there are antler restrictions or other hunters come to an agreement to only harvest mature deer, don't expect to be seeing many older deer...a majority of the bucks will be harvest as 1.5 year olds and never be given a chance to grow up.