The VPSA rules state you cannot enter the state contest unless you have entered your regional contest. When the finals are in Harrisonburg you have to go to Franklin for a weekend then Harrisonburg for another weekend. You have to do the reverse when the finals are in Franklin and a deer is from the western part of the state. That is why lots of super nice deer don't make it to the finals.
I think you should define what you mean by "lots" of deer. I'm sure there are awesome bucks killed every year that would warrant state recognition but don't go to the state finals, for whatever reason. But, I don't buy it that there are "lots" of all time state record bucks killed each year that are not entered.
