i have used a lot of elk in the last 2-3 years and when i started i was told that killed elk antler was not as good as sheds. elk sheds are a lot drier as they have very little blood in them, as elk that were shot still had quite a bit if fluid in the antler. i am not an expert in this matter, but was smart enough to listen to what i was told, and i only use sheds.
I was talking with Bryan Fisher while in Vegas last week and he had some cues with all different types of antlers and horns all over his cues. And his cues not only look good but they play pretty good as well. Check his cues out << ED