We have antler restrictions and I think it has helped. The rule is a buck has to be 10 inch inside spread and 13 inch main beam for most of the state and 13 inch inside spread and 15 inch mainbeam for the delta area. For youth, they can shoot anything they like, and that is cool. We get 3 bucks a year, and two have to fit the antler restrictions, but one can be smaller...guessing they added that last year due to CWD. I'm kind of torn since I don't personally see anything wrong with someone who is older and hasn't shot a buck taking any antlered deer they are happy with, and that third buck covers that.
I would support the idea of no modern firearms during the rut. That would have the biggest net positive on bucks making it into the 3+ year category, not that the DNR has ever asked us what we want, lol.