Very interesting elks, would be nice to know what really happens and why.
Over the course of the last ten years I have been fortunate to find sheds from the same bull. I believe I have eight years of the same side from this bull. He is unique in that his first three tines are well above average and his royal and fifth tines are below average. In those eight years the variations in length are usually 1 to 2 inches, but never more than 3inches per specific tine.
Where I am going with this is I don't believe a bull will increase any specific tine length, after they are in their prime, by anywhere near the tune of three times, no matter how wet the year. That is more likely governed by the genetics of their rack I think, based on previous sheds I have found from the same bulls. But who knows?
Look forward to seeing the bull you get!