I doubt that current numbers for many terrestrial species are as high as , say, the 60s/70s. Some, like suburban whitetail, introduced wild turkey, white geese, and urban geese are exploding many others are showing declines. You are right that conversion fro market hunting to recreational "saved" many species. Until the recreational demand exceeds the supply. Then we get limited entry, special tags, etc.

NA certainly has "better" wildlife numbers than most of the rest of the world. We also have fewer people.