Age, nutrition and genetics really all have to go hand in hand for it work. One missing link drags the other ones down.

So it all depends on the law of averages?

Or a trigger finger most of the time.

there it is

No problem with feeding but think of the best condition on your palce and what deer looked like then. That's what you get. We've watched our deer go from skinny to fat on place but the antler growth was minimal (4years). These deer had nice racks good tines average 12-16 inch spread. On another place 11 miles down the road the deer were already in good shape but were really impressive after a few years. (short browe tines and crab claws were common) Looking at 14 years in the same area working with different land owners, genetics made the most difference. Feeding will increase the survival rate and body sizes of young and prime deer and will help some with antler growth but giants are products of genetics. Keep feeding, you never know when a flood, a drought or human encrouchment might push those genes your way. We see a new deer from time to time. I saw a buck on my place Saturday that we've not seen before. He's hitting the clover and soy beans but not the protien or corn. I hope he sticks around. Let your deer get old and fat. Then you'll see if they can grow the headgear.