For the most part I'd say they are consistent year to year. I am a big shed hunter and it is quite common to find the same antlers year to year and during their growth period they are definitely consistent, although once on the downhill slide they can do some odd things. I had found a beautiful...
It can be done. Still requires a good amount of time spent pre season and the usual amount of luck depending on the hunting pressure. Most "resident areas" at least around my area here in North Central Washington seem to be incredibly highly populated by road hunters