I found two interesting thread on KYHunting.net regarding big bucks in KY and IN:
http://www.kentuckyhunting.net/forums/showthread.php?t=91957 — Is Indiana going to overtake Kentucky as a trophy state?
http://www.kentuckyhunting.net/forums/showthread.php?t=91941 — What single reason makes Kentucky a trophy state
The general consensus is that KY’s rise in antler score can attributed to going to a 1-buck limit. The proposition that Indiana is overtaking Kentucky is arguable. The original statement came from an IN official.
I agree that the 1-buck limit has probably done the most for KY’s herd than anything else. When I hunted Indiana back in the early 90’s I was seeing much bigger and better bucks in places like Dearborn and Switzerland counties. KY was a spike-n-fork type of scene. In those days you could take 2 bucks in Kentucky.
I would not agree that 1-buck limits are a pancea. I think it was a good call for the state and for the time. There is also some talk about KY’s poaching problem. I agree; it has a major impact on the herd. I don’t know how it stacks up with other states.